Occupational Therapists
Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual's environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual.
At a Glance
Occupational Therapists earns a median of $98,340/yr with +13.8% projected growth. Typical entry: Master's degree. Top skills: Integrity, Intellectual Curiosity, Cooperation.
$98,340/yr
+13.8%
10
Master's degree
Skills & Requirements
Skills (15)
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Knowledge (7)
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Abilities (15)
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Technology (5)
Work Activities (29)
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Work Styles (6)
A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.
A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feelings at work.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Healthcare Support · 196 shared skills
Medical Transcriptionists
Healthcare Support · 191 shared skills
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Educational Instruction and Library · 191 shared skills
Physical Therapist Assistants
Healthcare Support · 191 shared skills
Teaching Assistants, Special Education
Educational Instruction and Library · 190 shared skills
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Office and Administrative Support · 190 shared skills
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical · 190 shared skills
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Office and Administrative Support · 190 shared skills
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