Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists help people who have difficulties caused by physical or mental illness, disability, accident or ageing.
- Potential salary
- £32,000 starter to £48,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 35 to 40. Working pattern: 9am to 5pm.
- Career area
- Health and care
- Where they might work
- You could work at a client's home, at a health centre, at a client's business, at a GP practice or at an adult care home. Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding. You may need to wear a uniform.
- A typical task
- identify clients needs and design tailored support plans and activities for them
- Subjects that may help
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- Typical route
- You could do a degree in occupational therapy, approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.
- Interest area used here
- Helping and teaching
What you might do
- identify clients needs and design tailored support plans and activities for them
- help clients to do everyday activities by themselves
- recommend home adjustments, like walk-in showers, handrails and stairlifts
- introduce adapted office equipment to help people at work
- run therapeutic sessions for groups in the community
- involve families and carers in treatment programmes
More tasks (2)
- keep records of treatments and progress
- work with a team of health professionals and supervise occupational therapy assistants
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- knowledge of psychology
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- sensitivity and understanding
- to be flexible and open to change
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work well with others
More skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Routes into this career
University route
- You could do a degree in occupational therapy, approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.
- Courses combine work placements with academic study.
- You might be able to do a 2-year postgraduate conversion course if you've got a degree in a relevant subject like: biological science; health science; psychology.
- You may be able to get extra student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Occupational therapy
Direct qualifying route. The degree should be HCPC-approved.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could apply to do an Occupational Therapist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
- This usually takes 4 years to complete and is a mix of training on the job and academic study at an approved university.
- You could start as an occupational therapy support worker.
- With help from your employer, you could study for a degree part time, or complete a degree apprenticeship, to qualify as an occupational therapist.
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Other routes
- Volunteering in the NHS is a good way to get work experience in healthcare. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.
Career progression
- With experience, you could: specialise in a particular area, such as elderly care, injury rehabilitation or services for children; move into education or research; become a senior occupational therapist or take up a wider management role within the NHS; work in private practice.
Registration and requirements
you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship