Occupational Therapy Career Essay

The occupational therapy profession shares many objectives across the communities, clients, and families they serve. Some of these aims include: “Developing the field of occupational therapy and enhance the professions capabilities to meet the needs of the entire population, providing evidence on the efficacy of occupational therapy. This includes working with organizations and local communities, incorporating education, research, and practices as a complete whole. In addition, developing a team of professionals that innovates and adapts to the developing health needs of the population” (AOTA, 2013). This includes advocacy efforts with policymakers to ensure continued funding to provide care to individuals (AOTA, 2013). Occupational therapy is a distinctive profession that helps

Hey I’m charley price I am a senior at Johnson county high school. In the past month we were supposed to complete ten hours with a mentor for our senior project. With that being said I was not able to do so. Between working three jobs, school hours, and raising my sister I couldn’t go out and meet with a mentor. Therefore I have been doing research for the past month. I have enjoyed researching different occupational therapist I have also called and chatted with a few myself. I have learned much more than I could ever imagine. We discussed the career requirements, how much money I will make, the flexibility of the hours, why I should continue and go for it, and what are the pros and cons of being an occupational therapists.

To be able to participate in one 's own life, to do the things we want to do, and to competently perform the activities that form part of our daily, weekly or monthly routines, is a common goal for most people.  This not only includes taking part in the basic activities of self-care, such as grooming and dressing, but also extends to our work and leisure activities.  It is through doing things that we learn and develop as human beings.  The occupational therapy profession believes that being prevented or hindered in some way from participating in the activities that are important to us could adversely affect our health and wellbeing.

From that experience I went on to shadow OTA’s at Plant City Rehabilitation Center and at Hillsborough County Public Schools to further explore my interest. While shadowing I was also allowed to participate in working with the patients and discuss the role of an OTA in detail with the staff. Through these experiences and observations my interest has led to a desire to become an OTA.

After considerable contemplation, I confidently decided to pursue the path of becoming an Occupational Therapist. Motivated by my past experiences, current endeavors, and future possibilities. My life course over the last several years lead me to this pivotal moment of applying to graduate school, and I feel honored by this opportunity to share my academic and personal journey.

“What if there was a job that allowed someone to have endless flexibility and creativity; a profession that is respected and is in overwhelming demand... Most importantly, wouldn’t it be nice to find a job in which you could make an impact, big or small, on the lives of each individual person you worked with? I found this job and that is why I decided to pursue a degree in occupational therapy" (Springer, J., 2015). This testimonial comes from a practicing occupational therapist who has found value in his life's work. Occupational therapy is not a job where "one size fits all"; there are many different demographics of people who need occupational therapy in different environments. Although, all occupational therapists have the same skills

Lives are changed everyday by occupational therapy assistants. I have the dedication, compassion, and ability to celebrate every miniscule improvement needed to become a successful OTA. This a quickly growing field where I can use the talents I already possess to excel. I can easily recall the differences made in my papaw’s life through occupational therapy and the way every advancement in mobility or independence was as exciting as it would be with a new

At a young age I was introduced to the work of Occupational Therapists through my paternal grandmother. She was victim of two strokes throughout the course of her life; the first one she suffered when she was forty which put her in a wheelchair with the inability to use the left side of her body, the second stroke occurred later in life at about sixty six years of age and the results were difficulty for her talking and weakness on her right side. She eventually

To be honest, I never knew of the term occupational therapy until a few years ago.  It was new to me as it was to many others who were unfamiliar to the word.  I briefly came across the discipline when I was volunteering my time at my mother’s preschool while in high school.  I spent my hours with young children, some living with disabilities.  Sometimes the students were being pulled out of the classroom for brief periods of time.  I was curious to know where they were going and was told some of the children were going to either physical, speech, or occupational therapy.  I was already familiar to physical and speech therapy, but I had no clue what occupational therapy was about.  That was the moment when I was introduced to occupational therapy.

The field of Occupational therapy is one of few careers in which individuals get an opportunity to assist patients interpersonally, and help them return to their daily activities. I believe that there is nothing more fulfilling than to see an individual achieving the greatest possible independence. This realization came to me after I observed an occupational therapist working with my mother after her accident. She was able to help my mother regain the full use of her arm. Throughout this experience, I began to recognize my passion for Occupational Therapy.

Since leaving College, I have expressed a desire to work with in the field of Health and Social Care. Providing a holistic and substantial support for each individual who require specialist services. My work background and educational studies in the Health and Social Care area have confirmed this desire, however what I have found in my studies prior to this have allowed me to get an insight and in turn have allowed me to develope a greater understanding of any challenging issues that may occur and the impact they may have. Occupational Therapy however ultimately stands out for me, and most importantly I have the desire and passion for this specialist service due to this I follow BAOT (British Association of Occupational Therapists) for updates

The profession of occupational therapy was founded on the principles of occupation and participation, and these principles have now become central concepts in the definition of health (Baum, 2003).

In accordance with Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF), “the efforts directed toward promoting occupational justice and empowering clients to seek and obtain resources to fully participate in their daily life occupations.” (Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 3rd Ed., p. S41). I consider occupational therapy to be a compassionate career, practitioners try to grant their clients’ wants and needs to better suit the

had worked in child care so that is where I focused my efforts. I had also started on courses in

Occupational therapy has been in the process of continued development since the 1900’s. With several contributors helping to build the groundwork for creating the awareness needed to bring occupational therapy into the field of health care. Continued research is contributing to the ongoing significance of how occupational therapy is a vital aspect in promoting increased independences in all aspects of healthcare. (Willard, Schell, 2014) With the incorporation of “Occupational Therapy Practice Framework Domain and Process (3rd ed.)” helps creates the foundation for occupational therapy clinicians as well as other health care providers in facilitating the core believe of occupational and the relationship of health and occupation. (AOTA 2014) Therefore, providing a uniform outline of the various aspects of each individual and how they are interconnected to create the foundation of each individual. With a greater understanding of the foundations of that induvial, the clinician can then facilitate the best therapeutic treatment plan for that individual to achieve their personal goals with unified foundations of care.