Is Occupational Therapy a Good Career Path?

Much like a dentist or an optician, occupational therapy is a specialised branch of medicine focused on helping people regain independence and improve their daily lives after injury, illness, or disability. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages, from children with developmental challenges to adults recovering from surgery or managing chronic conditions.

But is an occupational therapy career right for you? Today, we’ll be looking at the pros and cons of the role, including salary information and expectations for career progression.

Understanding Occupational Therapy

The daily work of an occupational therapist isn’t always predictable. Some days you’ll be reviewing patient notes and others you’ll be working directly with them, helping them to regain independence in activities such as dressing, cooking, or returning to work/school.

OTs work closely with patients and collaborate with other healthcare professionals. Where most medical help is tailored to fixing a specific problem, occupational therapy is a very practical, moment-to-moment discipline.

Sometimes it’s about designing a long-term care plan, and other times it’s about making sure a patient has groceries in their cupboard. The core of the role is about helping to facilitate the patient’s own autonomy. In order to do that, you’ll need both practical knowledge and social skills.

Steps to Become an Occupational Therapist

To become an occupational therapist in the UK, there are several key steps. First, you’ll need the right qualifications, typically a degree from a recognised university. A postgraduate will also help, though it’s not vital to securing employment in the field.

During your training, you’ll complete placements that provide hands-on experience with peers in clinical, community, and educational settings. This is important because there’s only so much you can learn from a textbook. As with any kind of therapy, it’s important to be able to understand and empathise with people from all backgrounds, and that can only come from real-world experience.

Patients can be from all walks of life. They’ll come from different cultural backgrounds, different levels of wealth, and be part of different communities. As an occupational therapist, you’ll need to communicate with them in a way they understand. That’s why it’s so important to make the most of your placement and the first-hand experience it provides.

After graduation, you’ll have to register with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) in order to practise legally. You may also wish to specialise further if you’re looking to work with specific patient groups. This can also improve salary expectations.

Occupational Therapy Salary and Career Progression

In the UK, OT salaries typically start on NHS Band 5 (~£30,000) while experienced practitioners or team leaders can earn upwards of £45,000, particularly if they’re pursuing advanced roles. Pay rates can also be significantly higher in private practice, although these jobs are generally more competitive.

Alternative paths for progression include management, research, teaching, or consultancy roles. Given an occupational therapist’s wide range of experience, they’re often well placed to transition into other therapy-based career paths.

Of course, when all’s said and done, occupational therapy is about a lot more than just a salary. Not only does it offer the profound job satisfaction that comes from really helping people, but it’s also one of those jobs where every day is different. If you’re someone who hates being stuck in a routine and would like to spend your time helping people who need it, then this is a field worth considering.

That said, as with any job, there are pros and cons. If you struggle with emotionally demanding work, then it can be challenging. There are also time pressures and workload to consider. You’ll have to balance day-to-day therapy duties with a lot of admin, documenting and tracking patient progress and care plans. This can lead to stress and long hours.

If you’re not sure whether this is the right path for you, then you might consider looking for internships and work experience. After all, the best way to learn about a job role is to see it in action.