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How to become an Occupational Therapist?

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Top Answer
Talent.com talent.com
Answered July 12 2022
Career Expert at Talent.com
The first step in becoming an Occupational Therapist is obtaining a bachelor's degree in Occupation Therapy. Then, aspirants must acquire at least a master's degree in the field, though some may choose to pursue a doctorate. These graduate programs include the fieldwork hours needed to sit for the licensure exam. 

Many Occupational Therapy programs offer a dual degree program, which allows students to complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Occupational Therapy.

After completing an accredited Occupational Therapy program, the next step is to take and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Exam. Once you have passed the NBCOT exam, you will be a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR). To use the OTR credential, you must also meet state licensure requirements.

Job opportunities for Occupational Therapists can be found in hospitals, clinics, and other health centers, as well as in schools, community centers, and government bodies.

What is required to become an Occupational Therapist
Being an Occupational Therapist requires individuals to have certain skills in order to be successful. Some of these include:
  • Excellent communication skills 
Occupational Therapists need to communicate effectively with their patients to understand their needs and goals and goals for treatment. This also includes being able to distill complex medical terms and procedures in a way that is understandable to their clients. It is also imperative that they communicate successfully with other healthcare team members to coordinate care.
  • Great organizational skills
Occupational Therapists need to be organized to keep track of their patients’ progress and plan for future treatment sessions, on top of their own schedules and meetings with other professionals. They must also manage their time efficiently to make the most of each session.
  • Superb problem-solving abilities
Occupational Therapists often need to come up with creative solutions to help their patient’s overcome obstacles. They need to be able to identify problems and develop plans to address them quickly.
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