What Do You Need To Be An Occupational Therapist?

To get onto a full-time occupational therapy degree course you usually need

two or three A levels

, along with five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language, maths and science. You may also be able to get onto a course with alternative qualifications, including: BTEC, HND or HNC which includes biological science.

How many years does it take to become an occupational therapist?

To become an occupational therapist, you will need to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree and pass the required licensure exams. You can expect to spend

six to seven years in school

: four years for an undergraduate degree and two to three years for a graduate degree (if attending on a full-time basis).

What qualifications do you need to be an occupational therapist?

To get onto a full-time occupational therapy degree course you usually need

two or three A levels

, along with five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language, maths and science. You may also be able to get onto a course with alternative qualifications, including: BTEC, HND or HNC which includes biological science.

How hard is it to become an occupational therapist?

The short answer is: YES,

occupational therapy school is hard

. … These programs want to ensure you're equipped to competently and safely work in the healthcare field, so you're going to have a good amount of science classes involved in any of these programs, along with challenging clinical/fieldwork rotations.

Can I become an occupational therapist without a degree?

Entry without a degree is

possible at occupational therapy or rehabilitation assistant

, technician or support worker level. It may be possible to progress to become an occupational therapist through undertaking an approved in-service BSc in occupational therapy with the support of your employer.

Is occupational therapy a dying field?

Is Ota a dying field? OTA is a dying field.

There are NO jobs

. If you love OT and have some flexibility about getting a job maybe go ahead.

Is occupational therapy harder than nursing?

OT and PT school are definitely not easier than nursing

. Different subject matter in some regards, but not an easy route, especially considering that OT/PT school are graduate level degrees and nursing is only a Bachelors. Graduate programs, as mentioned, are more strict regarding grades.

How much does it cost to become an occupational therapist?

Becoming an occupational therapist is expensive.

If you're going for the OTR (Master's or Doctorate) route, you can expect to pay anywhere from

$40,000 to well over $100,000

for your degree.

Are occupational therapists doctors?

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) is a

professional (or clinical) doctorate

– the highest level of academic preparation that an entry-level occupational therapist can obtain. Preparation at the doctoral entry-level goes well beyond that of the entry-level master's degree.

What are the disadvantages of being an occupational therapist?

• The Medical Field is Emotionally Stressful. …
• Occupational Therapy is a Physically Demanding Job. …
• Institutional Barriers May Prevent Desired Results. …
• Long Work Hours Are Common.

Is OT school worth the debt?

The financial answer is

yes

but there is a significant price to pay. For most occupational therapists, they'll have to deal with student loans for 10 to 20 years. They won't necessarily be able to celebrate and enjoy that higher income until their loans are dealt with.

Is it easy to get a job as an occupational therapist?

Occupational therapists are versatile

and can work in so many different settings, and the jobs are out there. However, as a new occupational therapy grad, you may have found that finding an OT job is harder than you thought. OTs are usually in high demand depending on the city's job market.

Is it too late to become an occupational therapist?

It's never too late to change your career path

. If you are interested in learning more about St. Kate's Occupational Therapy Assistant program, contact an advisor today.

How do occupational therapists get rich?

1. Work in a SNF or Home Health. These are some of the highest paid settings for occupational therapists. …
2. Work in an environment that offers bonuses/incentives. …
3. Work in a place that offers overtime pay. …
4. Work weekends. …
5. Sign up to do travel therapy. …
6. Move to a rural location. …
7. Avoid salaried positions. …
8. Specialize.

Is OT a good career 2020?

Yes

, occupational therapy is one of the fastest-growing careers, you get to make a difference in other peoples' lives, and the pay is good. Also, OT's can work in a wide variety of settings, meaning there are always work opportunities.

What area of occupational therapy pays the most?

• Nursing care facilities: $92,260 per year.
• Home healthcare services: $91,830 per year.
• Hospitals: $86,910 per year.
• Offices: $86,830 per year.
• Elementary and secondary schools: $76,560 per year.