If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career that focuses on helping people with disabilities, why not consider becoming an occupational therapist? Some people prefer to work with other people, as they generally have good communication skills and assisting people with disabilities is a very satisfying career.
Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy
This is a 4-year full-time program that combines theory and practice and the course includes 1,000 hours of supervised work placement. The first year is all about learning the basics of human anatomy, physiology and an introduction to evidence-based occupational therapy. Year 2 concerns the application of your skills in occupational rehabilitation, mental health, chronic conditions, community participation and how to provide primary health care. In the third year, you will have field placements and attend many active workshops on all aspects of occupational therapy. There are always occupational therapy jobs available in all parts of Australia, so you have job security.
Hands-on activities
During the course, you will learn how to:
- Make a splint
- How to adapt dressing for those with physical impairments
- Accurately measure wheelchair specification
- Plan home amendments to aid mobility
- Perform adult neurological rehabilitation techniques
- Carry out skill demonstrations that show you have a command of basic techniques
Degree structure
First year (semesters 1,2 and 3)
- An introduction to aboriginal health: culture & community
- Human anatomy
- Physiology essentials
- An introduction to occupational therapy practice
First year (semesters 4, 5 and 6)
- Occupational therapy practice: Lifespan development
- Evidence-based practice and research in health sciences
- Occupational therapy services in a hospital setting
Second year (semesters 1, 2 and 3)
- Principles of occupational therapy practice
- Applied psychology
- Enabling occupation through environmental adaptation, age diversity in the workplace.
- The individual society
Second year (semesters 4, 5 and 6)
- Human neuroscience
- Therapeutic communication and group work
- Occupational therapy: education and application
- Occupational rehabilitation
Third year (semesters 1, 2 and 3)
- Occupational therapy and mental health
- Primary healthcare approaches in occupational therapy
- Advanced occupational therapy
- Neurological conditions
Third year (semesters 4, 5 and 6)
- Participatory community practice and planning
- Chronic conditions and management
- Evidence-based practice – advanced-level planning
Fourth year (semesters 1, 2 and 3)
- Participatory community practice – Implementation
- Contemporary practice and professional development
- OT – Field practice
Fourth year (semesters 4, 5 and 6)
- OT – Field training and practice
- Periodical reviews
If you are seriously considering becoming a certified occupational therapist, contact Ability Action Australia, an organisation that offers support for those in the healthcare sector. They can provide you with career guidance and advice; there are numerous career paths you can take with a degree in occupational therapy; they have a lot of resources to help you with career choices.
Independence
Once you are qualified as an occupational therapist, you will have a lot of freedom; you would have your own vehicle and would self-manage your clients and liaise with parents, healthcare workers and carers.
