Occupational Therapist
Comprehensive Sites
American Occupational Therapy Association: StudentsThe student section of this organization for occupational therapists offers an area that includes a list of schools, answers to questions about master’s degree programs, and resources for financial aid. Prospective students will find information on OT education and brochures on choosing this profession.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational TherapistCreated by the U.S. Department of Labor, this career profile introduces you to the training, work qualifications, employment data, and job outlook for an occupational therapist. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find links to important professional organizations in the field, or click on detailed earnings data.
National Institutes of Health: LifeWorks, Occupational TherapistClick on the tabs at the top of this page to learn about job activities, needed education, skill and interests, and more information on becoming an occupational therapist. Recommended high school courses, certifications and licensing information, and other sources of information are offered. A masters’ degree is needed for this work, and you can learn more about that from this page.
Princeton Review: Occupational TherapistFind out what a day in the life of an occupational therapist could be like at this website, which also offers information on what to expect in terms of earnings after several years in the field. You can connect to information on college majors that could be useful, as well as useful career links, publications, employers, and organizations in the field.
Accredited Academic Programs
American Occupational Therapy Association: SchoolsYou can connect to entry-level OT programs here, including accredited and distance education degrees. You can also click on the links section to receive additional information.
Princeton Review: Occupational Therapist College MajorsTake a look at the list of majors at this page—all of which could be useful as undergraduate majors in pursuing a career as an occupational therapist, including kinesiology or community health. If you click on one you are interested in, you will be taken to a list of schools, contacts, and links for the schools that offer that major.
Salary Levels
PayScale: Occupational TherapistThe median salary by years of experience for an occupational therapist is shown at the graph at this site. If you scroll down, you will find median salary by employer type and median salary by city of employment in the U.S.
Professional Organizations
American Occupational Therapy AssociationThis organization provides a host of member services, including benefits for student members, such as subscriptions to occupational therapy magazines, educational opportunities, professional support, and discounts for students.
Licensing & Certification
American Occupational Therapy Association: LicensureThe different types of regulation in the states and territories are discussed at this page, including state laws that affect the practice of occupational therapy. Several pages are available for more detailed information, including answers to how to get a license, state laws, and contacts.
National Board for Certification in Occupational TherapyThis credentialing agency provides certification for the profession of occupational therapy. Find out about eligibility criteria, exam candidacy, state regulations, and certification forms.
Job Opportunity Sources
American Occupational Therapy Association: OT Job LinkJob seekers will find access to OT jobs across the country at this site—from entry level to experience occupational therapists. Career management resources are also offered, including information on the current occupational therapy market, interviewing skills, and details on state licensure requirements.
Publications
Advance for Occupational Therapy PractitionersA free e-journal helps therapists and students learn even more about their profession. The OT blogs, columns, a newswatch, and multimedia webcasts are provided at no cost. In addition, you can learn about national conferences, education, careers, and find patient handouts and a student resource center.
OT Direct: Online Occupational Therapy JournalsThis site is a reference source to methods of accessing literature in the field of occupational therapy. You will find some direct journal and electronic database links, as well as several journals and free search facilities for any student research.
OT PracticeThe current issue of OT Practice is available at no cost at this page and includes information in the field of occupational therapy, including techniques, career advice, and job opportunities.
Online Forums & Blogs
American Occupational Therapy Association: ListservsAbout a dozen special interest sections can be accessed from this page with a student membership. If you are serious about occupational therapy as a career, this organization offers a host of resources. Go ahead and open discussions about education, disabilities, research, technology, and even special listservs just for student members.
OT BlogsNew blogs offer opinions and advice on the field of occupational therapy. Read the bloggers bios and learn more about their experiences. Then locate your topic of interest. You can also post your own comments, and interact with other bloggers.
Career Videos
YouTube: Occupational Therapist Job DescriptionThe job of an occupational therapist in motivating people in their daily living skills, the creativity and innovation needed, and other rewards and challenges of the career are described in this video. You will hear about personal qualities and the different aspects of patients’ lives that occupational therapist usually affect.
YouTube: Occupational TherapyFor Occupational Therapy Awareness Month, this slide and audio presentation shows some of the more creative aspects of the job, from a college student’s perspective. You will hear how occupational therapists use their tools and equipment to help a person make their daily activities easier and more meaningful.
