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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

An Occupation in

Occupation Description:

Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual�s environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual. Excludes �Rehabilitation Counselors� (21-1015).

Career Video:

Occupational Therapists

Specialized Occupations:

Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (ONET code: 29-1122.01)


	Occupation Description:

	Provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities. May train patients in activities such as computer use, communication skills, or home management skills.


	Typical Tasks:

	Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches. Train clients to use tactile, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and proprioceptive information. Assess clients' functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals. Teach clients to travel independently, using a variety of actual or simulated travel situations or exercises. Monitor clients' progress to determine whether changes in rehabilitation plans are needed. Develop rehabilitation or instructional plans collaboratively with clients, based on results of assessments, needs, and goals. Recommend appropriate mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).


	Knowledge:

	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.. English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.. Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.. Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.. Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.. Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.. Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits..

Typical Tasks:

Complete and maintain necessary records.
Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.
Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate those impaired because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.
Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.

Knowledge:

Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders..
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance..
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects..
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures..
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects..
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar..
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins..

Search for Jobs on CareerOneStop:

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	Search for Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists Jobs

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Education & Training:

Master's degree

View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site

Wage Information:

Region	Average Annual	Average Hourly	Entry Level (hourly)	Mid-Range (hourly)
Statewide	$99,067.00	$47.63	$36.93	$40.08 - $52.19
Bridgeport/Stamford	$102,483.00	$49.27	$37.65	$40.61 - $53.79
Danbury	$100,230.00	$48.19	$37.07	$40.70 - $51.35
Hartford	$97,644.00	$46.95	$37.11	$40.46 - $51.28
New Haven	$100,759.00	$48.44	$37.04	$40.82 - $52.23
New London/Norwich	$95,754.00	$46.03	$35.98	$40.07 - $51.06
Waterbury	$100,552.00	$48.34	$35.96	$39.87 - $58.11
Torrington	$96,419.00	$46.36	$35.17	$38.14 - $51.70

Not sure which Region applies to you?
Select a town to see its region highlighted in the table above:

Occupation Outlook:

Region	Employment		Average Annual Growth Rate	Average Annual Job Openings
Region	2020	2030	Average Annual Growth Rate	Average Annual Job Openings
State of Connecticut	2,490	2,740	0%	166

Chart of Growth Rate and Annual Openings

Employment in this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as average, and the number of annual openings will offer good or favorable job opportunities.

Key:

N/A = Not Applicable, ***** = Over $60.00 per hour, ##### = Over $124,821

Similar Occupations:


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