As Americans grow older, job opportunities in occupational therapy are expected to grow rapidly. Employment in the field of occupational therapy is predicted to increase by 26 percent between 2008 and 2018, which makes it a potential booming industry for those interested in healthcare.
The field growth is largely contributed to the beginning of the “silver tsunami” as the first batch of the 78 million baby boomers turn 65 years old in 2011, according to Healthcare Traveler. To meet patient demand, an increase in healthcare staff to provide therapeutic services, acute hospital rehabilitation and outpatient rehabilitation programs may be required.
Occupational therapy jobs typically involve helping patients in living and working conditions with everyday tasks. Assisting patients with cooking, dressing, paying their bills and daily errands are possible job duties. A patient may suffer from mental, physical or developmental conditions, and there are a scope of treatments that could be lumped under occupational therapy job responsibilities.
An occupational therapist may be required to keep detailed and accurate accounts of a patient’s medical status, development, progress and activities or personal traits. These records provide background information another medical professional may need to interact or treat a patient successfully.
Currently, an emerging occupational therapy job specialization in driver rehabilitation, training in geriatric care and ergonomic consulting is being developed.