Occupational Therapy Jobs in Canada

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What is the Job of an Occupational Therapist?

 A patient with a mental, physical, developmental, or emotional disability is treated by an occupational therapist. They aid in the development, restoration, or maintenance of the abilities required for employment and day-to-day living. An occupational therapist’s job is to help people with health problems and challenges live more independently. Therapists are knowledgeable about how a disease, accident, or handicap affects a person’s physical, mental, and social health. They might create treatment plans and instruct patients on how to use assistive technology in the process.

Are Occupational Therapy Jobs in Demand?

An extraordinary demand exists for occupational therapists. Occupational therapist job positions are currently more in demand in Canada than there are qualified applicants, according to Statistics Canada. The Canadian Skills gap for National Occupation is anticipated to be filled over the next 18 to 24 months by highly qualified and driven immigrants. Between 2020 and 2030, occupational therapist employment is predicted to increase by 17%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. There will likely be 10,100 employment opportunities for occupational therapists annually over the next ten years. There will be a significant demand for occupational therapist jobs in practically every Canadian province during the coming years. 

What kinds of Occupational therapy Specialities are there? 

Depending on their training and experience, occupational therapists can specialize in a wide range of practice areas and earn special certifications. Most frequently, people obtain their credentials from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), both of which provide a variety of occupational therapy licenses and certifications. These are a few of the most well-liked occupational therapy specialties. 

• Elderly People

Occupational therapists who specialize in geriatrics, also known as gerontology, assist senior citizens in managing and recovering from a variety of conditions and diseases, including arthritis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Therapists in this field can help patients with their requirements or everyday activities in their homes, places of employment, or medical facilities. Occupational therapists can obtain the Board Certified in Gerontology (BCG) certificate from AOTA.

• Mental well-being

 Mental health occupational therapists assist patients and clients in creating plans for handling emotions, making choices, and resolving difficulties. Additionally, they teach patients coping mechanisms and assist them in finding connections between their mental health issues and everyday difficulties. AOTA’s Board Certified in Mental Health (BCMH) accreditation may be of interest to occupational therapists who choose to specialize in this field. Following certification, people typically work in home care and hospital settings.

• Education systems 

Occupational therapists who want to help students in a school environment can get the Speciality Certified in School Systems (SCSS) certification from AOTA. These therapists assist children from 3 to 21 years old in acquiring the abilities and methods necessary to excel in assignments and other school-related activities. School system specialists may be employed at preschools, high schools, or other educational institutions. They can continue to assist people with their social skills and technical abilities, such as reading, writing, and maths, even after they graduate from school.

• Impaired Vision 

People who have vision problems that cannot be resolved by surgery or glasses can benefit from low-vision occupational therapy. SCLV, or Speciality Certified in Low Vision, is a credential offered by AOTA. By consulting with optometrists and other vision specialists, these occupational therapists Jobs help people carry out daily tasks and perhaps improve their eyesight with the use of assistive technology and optical devices. In-home care is typically provided by low-vision occupational therapists.

• Physical Therapy 

To assist customers who have had trauma or bodily accidents, physical rehabilitation specialists develop and produce evidence-based workouts and activities. Physical rehabilitation emphasizes strength training and motions to aid patients in their recovery from injuries, in contrast to physical therapy, which employs biomechanics to treat patients. AOTA’s Board Certified in Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR) accreditation is the most widely used qualification for occupational therapists in this specialty. OTs with this specialization work in a range of environments, such as schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care homes personal care

Becoming an Occupational Therapist

People who want to work as occupational therapists usually have great interpersonal and communication abilities. They are incredibly patient and caring individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of others. Students in high school would position themselves for success by enrolling in science and communication classes and volunteering to assist the elderly or youngsters.

• Requirements  

Since specific prerequisite courses are necessary for entrance to graduate school, occupational therapists must get a bachelor’s degree, which can be in any field but is usually in biology, psychology, sociology, kinesiology, or health science. Program for occupational therapy master’s degree Occupational therapy doctoral program option Some occupational therapy programs combine the bachelor’s and master’s degrees into a single program that can be finished in five years.

• Procedure for certification

 To become certified as an occupational therapist, you must pass the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam after finishing your graduate-level occupational therapy school. To maintain their licenses, occupational therapists must get continuing education credits annually.

• Employment prospects

Occupational therapists’ jobs expand into managerial positions with greater responsibility, or they launch their practices after gaining more education and experience. While some therapists graduate with a doctorate and go on to teach, others specialize to expand their professional options.

Where to Find Jobs

Occupational therapists can be found working at schools, nursing homes, home health agencies, offices and clinics, psychiatric institutions, rehabilitation hospitals, and hospitals. In a typical workweek, they put in over 40 hours of work, including some weekends and holidays. When providing patient care, occupational therapists spend the majority of their time standing.

Occupational Therapy Job Practice in Canada

 Completing an MSc(OT) entry-to-practice degree program and passing the national certification exam are requirements for occupational therapy practice in Canada. Depending on the province where you decide to work, you might additionally need to fulfill other requirements.

3 Major Skills of a Good Occupational Therapist Jobs 

To be an occupational therapist, you need to have a few key competencies. These are a few:

• Critical thinking 

When deciding on the appropriate treatment plan for each patient, occupational therapists employ critical thinking techniques. They listen to patients, examine medical records, and identify ways to assist in treating a variety of conditions. To assist patients with duties, they come up with innovative ways. Additionally, therapists employ critical thinking abilities to modify treatment strategies in accordance with the unique needs of each patient.

• Communication 

Communication abilities are used by occupational therapists to establish rapport with their patients and support them during treatment. In order to assist patients in overcoming obstacles, they create treatment plans after listening to them explain their problems. They assist their patients in trying different exercises to help them gain strength and mobility, and they explain each one to them. Therapists create reports on patients and explain their ailments through written correspondence.

• Empathy 

Occupational therapists who work with clients who have a variety of serious injuries or disabilities benefit from empathy. Therapists encourage their clients to attempt new exercises and develop their strength by using empathy to establish a relationship with them. Even though some patients may find therapy difficult and grow frustrated, occupational therapists remain sympathetic and compassionate while continuing to treat their patients.

6 Steps to Becoming an Occupational Therapist

 The steps to become an occupational therapist are as follows: 

• Verify your interest

 Make sure you are interested in becoming an Occupational therapist before you begin your career path. Learn about the nature of the profession and the many career options by conducting internet research. Make an effort to contact someone in the industry through your network and ask them about their work. Also, confirm if you are qualified to begin the certification process. To be eligible for an undergraduate degree, the majority of occupational therapist jobs begin by earning good grades in high school.

• Earn a bachelor’s degree

 A four-year undergraduate degree is a requirement for the majority of occupational therapy master’s programs. Although some master’s programs accept any four-year degree, many aspiring occupational therapists seek an undergraduate degree in a science-based field, like biology, to acquire fundamental understanding. Research the conditions beforehand and aim for excellent grades in your university courses because many master’s programs only admit students with a grade point average above a particular threshold. You can begin applying for master’s degrees after earning your undergraduate degree.

• Get your master’s degree

Occupational therapy master’s programs usually admit students with a four-year undergraduate degree. Completion of human biology and statistics courses is a condition for some master’s programs. It usually takes two to three years to finish an Occupational Therapy master’s degree. Both coursework and a substantial amount of hands-on clinical experience are part of them. Students who complete the program are awarded either a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy or a Master of Occupational Therapy.

• Take a licensing test

You are eligible to take the National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE) upon the completion of your occupational therapy master’s degree. Except for Quebec, all provinces require occupational therapists to pass this test to get their license. Because occupational therapy is not officially regulated in the territories, working there does not require passing the exam. A candidate’s capacity to use professional judgment and academic knowledge is evaluated by the NOTCE. Finally, you can apply for a license in your province once you’ve passed the exam.

• Get a licence

You can apply for a license from your home province after finishing your coursework and passing the national exam. Furthermore, you can begin working as an occupational therapist after obtaining this license. You must show proof of continued competence and renew your license every year in several jurisdictions. Make sure you abide by all rules and thoroughly research the licensing requirements in your province.

• Focus on specialization

 As soon as you have your occupational therapy license, you can begin working in the profession, acquire experience, and focus on a particular area of employment. Occupational therapists can pursue a variety of professional routes based on their skills and interests. In private practice, you can help with injury rehabilitation and adoption if you like working one-on-one with patients. Administrator-inclined therapists can work for the government or for corporations, creating laws and rules. Try to keep learning new things and check out the various employment options available to you.

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Duties of an Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapy jobs involve a variety of activities. The primary responsibilities of an occupational therapist are as follows: 

• Examine patients

 Occupational therapists evaluate patients and assist in pinpointing areas that may benefit from treatment. Therapists can work with a variety of clients, including those with impairments who want to get better at doing everyday chores and workers who have been injured and want to get back to work. To learn about each patient’s difficulties and treatment objectives, therapists conduct observations, review medical data, and pose questions. Certain occupational therapists may conduct evaluations to ascertain if a person is eligible to claim workers’ compensation or whether they possess the strength required to perform a particular job.

• Make therapy plans.

 Occupational therapists create therapy programs to assist patients in restoring function or acquiring new abilities. The patient’s age, the type of impairment or injury, their capacity for exercise and skill development, and their objectives are all taken into consideration while creating personalized plans. Therapists utilize their experience and education to create an exercise regimen for their patients that will assist them advance without resulting in any new setbacks or injuries. They watch their patients work out and modify the treatment plan as needed.

• Organise therapy sessions 

While conducting therapy sessions, occupational therapy jobs help patients work to develop new skills, improve their muscles, or restore the capacity to execute specific tasks. Therapists create tests and activities for their patients. They explain things to them, offer support, and evaluate the outcomes. When they see excessive weariness or discomfort, they discontinue the session after closely observing their customers. OTs occasionally teach exercises and offer physical support for challenging activities to help their patients succeed.

• Assess your development

As each patient works towards their goals, therapists assess their progress and collaborate with them over an extended period. To verify whether a client is ready to resume work or still needs time to do so, therapists occasionally write reports to an employer or government agency. As needed, therapists add additional exercises or activities to the therapy regimen based on their patient’s ongoing progress evaluations.

• Administrative duties 

Occupational Therapists carry out a variety of administrative duties, such as drafting reports and designing patient exercise regimens. The nature of these activities can change based on each OT’s workplace. Keeping patient records, billing patients, and setting up appointments are all possible tasks in a private business. It may be necessary to write reports and give presentations on important topics. This can be while working for a company or the government.

Salary Range for Occupational Therapy Jobs

Occupational therapists’ beginning salaries can vary based on their amount of experience and workplace. Occupational therapists make an average of  $93,313 annually nationwide. Nonetheless, some people can earn over $140,000 or less than $70,000 a year working occupational therapy jobs. This depends on their region and years of expertise. For instance, the average salary in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is $62,001 yearly, whereas the average salary in Alaska is $128,608 annually. Depending on the field they choose, occupational therapists may also benefit from certain advantages. Benefits including health insurance, 401(k) plans, and licensing reimbursement are among the most popular for occupational therapists.

Conclusion

Occupational therapy jobs in Canada are rewarding and significant career paths for people who are enthusiastic about assisting others. These jobs help people lead more autonomous and significant lives. Canada offers stability and a variety of options for professional development. This is due to its robust healthcare system, encouraging regulatory agencies, and rising demand across a range of industries, including community care, schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities. The profession accepts those who want to improve the health of patients of all ages. This is regardless of whether they are recent graduates or have had foreign training. Occupational therapists continue to play a vital, fulfilling, and potentially explosive role in Canada’s inclusive healthcare system.