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Occupational Therapy Geriatrics

Andrea Said:

Occupational Therapy Profession?

We Answered:

Hi,
I'm graduating this June with my master's in OT, and it is a great profession to be in especially in this economy.

You can definitely specialize in pediatrics or geriatrics. One of the best things about OT is being able to switch jobs if you get tired of where you're at and refocus. Most OTs do specialize in one area or another, you can be hired in a rehab hospital in the spinal cord injury unit, or the CVA unit, or you can work in the school system, or a skilled nursing facility, or a hand therapy clinic.

The typical hours are completely dependent on the setting. For example, I want to have kids soon, so I'm thinking seriously about working in a setting where I can work few hours, such as schools. I could work 2 or 3 days a weeks if I wanted. But I know OTs who work childrens rehab hospitals who see patients all day and then do charting in the evening. The hours really do depend on where you're at.

From what I've read, the changes in health care won't affect OT too much, but a lot is still up in the air, that is just what I've read/heard.

I think OT is a great profession to balance being a parent, that is one of the reasons I chose it versus on of my other choices (nurse midwife) because you can decide how much you are going to work, the hours are pretty fixed, and you can contract a couple days here and there if that is what you want. If you really want the same schedule, than being a school OT would be the way to go.

Good luck on deciding your major! If I were you I would seriously look into the other therapies as well, physical therapy and speech therapy. Each is great in their own way and have a lot to offer.

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