subject: Employment Opportunities for Occupational Therapists [print this page] Employment Opportunities for Occupational Therapists
Employment opportunities for occupational therapists are steadily rising in the United States. Official data shows that 29 percent of occupational therapists were employed in ambulatory healthcare services last year. Other major employers include hospitals, offices of other health practitioners and occupational therapists, public and private educational services, and nursing care facilities. Home healthcare services, outpatient care centers, offices of physicians, individual and family services, community care facilities for the elderly, and government agencies also employ occupation therapy professionals.
Job Responsibilities and Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for employment, individuals must have secured a master's degree in occupational therapy. They should also possess the relevant state-issued licensure. In addition to these academic qualifications, professionals should have excellent interpersonal skills, patience and a positive attitude to help their patients.
Occupational therapists have to support people of all age groups struggling with physical, mental, emotional or developmental disorders. They have to assist patients in developing their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities to perform diverse responsibilities in both working and living environments. Other responsibilities include:
Evaluation and implementation of treatment procedures and therapeutic exercises
Regular monitoring of progress gained in each treatment phase
Change of treatment procedures at the right time
Recording and maintenance of patient progress reports
Employment Opportunities in Established Settings
Dynamic candidates with the prescribed eligibility criteria, including newly trained and experienced occupational therapists, can opt for temporary, permanent, long-term, short-term, full-time or part-time jobs or travel assignments with attractive compensation packages and a series of other benefits including:
Continuing education programs
Professional liability insurance
Section 125 cafeteria plan
401 (k) benefits
Short-term disability insurance
Additional state license
H1 b visas and green cards
Health care insurance
Immigration processing assistance
Renowned Healthcare Recruitment Service Providers for Quality Solutions
The best way to seek out the best employment opportunities for occupational therapists is through experienced healthcare staffing solution providers. Registering with them helps the jobseekers search their frequently updated online jobs database to get information about the current employment opportunities. It also facilitates online resume submission.