Occupational therapy is a rewarding and challenging profession that helps people improve their ability to perform daily activities and live fulfilling lives. As an occupational therapist, your day can be varied and dynamic, depending on your specialization and work setting. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at a typical day in the life of an occupational therapist.
Morning
An occupational therapist's day typically starts early in the morning, with a cup of coffee and a review of the day’s schedule. After a quick check of emails and phone messages, the therapist begins preparing for their first client or patient.
The therapist may spend the morning in a hospital or clinic setting, working with patients recovering from surgery, illness, or injury. The therapist assesses their clients' needs, develops personalized treatment plans, and provides guidance and support to help them reach their goals. Depending on the client's needs, the therapist may provide assistance with mobility, fine motor skills, or other areas of occupational performance.
Afternoon
After a busy morning, the occupational therapist may break for lunch or spend time documenting their patients' progress in their electronic health record system. Documentation is an important part of the job, as it ensures that the therapist can track their patients' progress and communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare team.
In the afternoon, the occupational therapist may work in a school or community setting, helping children or adults with disabilities or developmental delays. The therapist may work one-on-one with their clients, or they may lead group therapy sessions to address social skills, sensory integration, or other areas of occupational performance.
Evening
The workday of an occupational therapist can extend into the evening, depending on the therapist's work setting and the needs of their clients. For example, a therapist who works with elderly clients in a nursing home may provide evening therapy sessions to accommodate their clients' schedules.
After a full day of work, the occupational therapist may wind down with exercise, hobbies, or spending time with family and friends. However, the day never truly ends for an occupational therapist, as they are always thinking about their clients and ways to improve their therapy plans.
Conclusion
As you can see, the life of an occupational therapist is varied and fulfilling, with each day bringing new challenges and opportunities to help others. Whether working in a hospital, school, or community setting, the occupational therapist plays a crucial role in helping people overcome challenges and live their best lives possible.