Q: What's a typical workday like for you?
A: Every day I work with five to seven patients, who have been referred by their physician for evaluation or treatment. I see each patient once or twice a day for about 30 minutes. We work developing strength and endurance needed for the activities of daily living like getting out of bed or dressing. I teach proper body mechanics to patients who've had hip, knee or back surgery so they won't re-injure themselves. I may also evaluate judgment, cognition and problem-solving abilities to determine whether the patient will be safe at home. And I make recommendations for discharge planning.
Q: How does your role fit into the bigger healthcare picture?
A: Occupational therapists do the fine-tuning that allows a person to be as independent as possible and have a good quality of life. That involves determining physical and environmental barriers to an activity and finding ways to eliminate or minimize those barriers.
Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?
A: We often work collaboratively with speech and physical therapists. We also interact with physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, neuropsychologists, social workers and family members.
Q: Why did you become an occupational therapist?
A: The field offers so much variety. Occupational therapists (OTs) work with people of all ages, from infants to elders. OTs also work in many different settings: hospitals, home health, long-term care, outpatient rehabilitation programs, community agencies and schools.
Q: What do you like about your work?
A: I love the challenge of creative problem solving. I'm always learning something new, and that keeps me fresh and interested. And seeing patients improve is very rewarding.
