Shawn Said:

is it too late to be an occupational therapist? I'm going to be 40 at the end of this year...?

We Answered:

There is a shortage of therapists at this time and no I don't think that 40 is too old. Be aware that it is a very physical job. I lift people all day long to help them stand, instruct with donning and doffing clothing, and with transferring to one surface from another.
As for the schooling, you will need all the science, math, etc classes before getting admitted to the program. These include bio, chem, physics, anatomy, neurophys, statistics, algebra, trig, and for some universities calculus. You will also have to complete about 60-90 hours of volunteer time. Once you are admitted to the program it is full time for 3 years, they make out your class schedule, and then you have to do an unpaid internship for 3 months that you pay college credit for.
I think that it is wonderful to be thinking about changing careers just want you to know what you are headed for. Being an Occupational Therapist is a wonderful job and very rewarding!!

Ethel Said:

How can I gain a licensure for a rehabilitation therapist or an occupational therapist?

We Answered:

I'd considered going into OT, so here's some info I'd gathered during my research. You need a bachelor's degree followed by an occupational therapy master's degree and pass an exam in order to be an OTR (Occupational Therapist Registered). Up until this year, the minimum requirement for OTs to practice was only a bachelor's degree. Don't let this deter you though, because it's a really rewarding field.

"To obtain a license, applicants must graduate from an accredited educational program and pass a national certification examination. Those who pass the exam are awarded the title “Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR).” Some States have additional requirements for therapists who work in schools or early intervention programs. These requirements may include education-related classes, an education practice certificate, or early intervention certification requirements."
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm#train…

If you don't have the prequisites needed for grad school, check to see if your local community college offers them. To give you an idea of a graduate program and its requirements:
http://grad.towson.edu/program/master/oc…
http://www.sahp.vcu.edu/occu/programs/en…

To look for other OT grad programs, this is a good place to start:
http://www.gradschools.com/programs/occu…

You can also consider being an occupational therapist assitant or aid while you pursue your master's degree. If you do it before, it will also give you the OT volunteer or work experience (about 60 hours) required for entrance into any of the grad programs I had looked into in the past. There's more info on this here:
Careers in occupational therapy:
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occup…

Burea of Labor Statistcs information page for Occupational Therapy. It has info on training and qualifications job outlook, etc.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm

More info on OT:
http://gradschool.about.com/od/occtherap…

Nathaniel Said:

Any Occupational therapist assistants out there?

We Answered:

A cousin went to school for OTA and while it is a rewarding field, the tasks can be very physically and mentally strenuous. I believe that most jobs are in nursing homes working with a patient with an amputated limb (amputee), who've had a stroke ("brain attack") and/or hip replacement surgery.

For general career info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search 'occupational therapy assistants' or such.

Perhaps one can observe and volunteer in various settings where OT is provided as treatment including nursing home/long-term care facilities, hospitals, psychiatric facilities, outpatient therapy (though probably not nearly as many vacancies), schools (though prob same with not many postions) or such. Each person must complete a clinical fieldwork experience in order to graduate from the program.

Shane Said:

what is a occupational therapist?

We Answered:

A occupational therapist usually works with the upper part of the body.
Like speech problems.

Yolanda Said:

Are there many opportunities for part-time occupational or physical therapist assistants with regular hours?

We Answered:

New grads have to take the hours the employers have available, and that usually includes at least one Saturday per month. I know of no setting where Sundays are required unless the therapist has Medicare patients with orders for 6 sessions per week, and the therapist takes a weekday off. That weekday must be made up.
Home health agencies and hospitals usually have per diem jobs; some nursing homes, too. OTRs, PTs, PTAs and COTAS are very few and far between, so these employers will want you to work you as much as they can. You can negotiate as many hours as you like, so you can work as much or as little as you want.