Employment

Employment

The largest number of jobs was in hospitals. Other major employers were offices of other health practitioners (which includes offices of occupational therapists), public and private educational services, and nursing care facilities. Some occupational therapists were employed by home healthcare services, outpatient care centers, offices of physicians, individual and family services, community care facilities for the elderly, and government agencies.

A small number of occupational therapists were self-employed in private practice. These practitioners saw clients referred by physicians or other health professionals or provided contract or consulting services to nursing care facilities, schools, adult daycare programs, and home healthcare agencies.

Acute care: Adult, Pediatric, Psychiatric
Assisted Living Facilities: Geriatric
Community-based mental health program
Day program/center: Adult, Adult DD, Geriatric, Mental health
Early intervention programs: Pediatric
Forensic Unit: Adult, Juvenile
Group home/Residential facility
Home Health: Adult, Geriatric, Mental health, Pediatric
Hospice: Adult, Geriatric, Pediatric
Independent living facilities
Job Site: Industrial Consultation, Work Hardening
Long term care: Adult, Geriatric, Pediatric
NICU
Outpatient settings
Partial hospitalization mental health
Physician's Office
Prevocational Work Programs
School
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Sheltered Workshop
Sub-acute: Adult, Geriatric, Pediatric
State/Federal Facilities
Volunteer Agency (i.e., Easter Seal, UCP)

Job Outlook

Employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. The impact of proposed Federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services may adversely affect the job market for occupational therapists in the near term. However, over the long run, the demand for occupational therapists should continue to rise as a result of growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function who require therapy services. The baby-boom generation’s movement into middle age, a period when the incidence of heart attack and stroke increases, will spur the demand for therapeutic services. Growth in the population 75 years and older—an age group that suffers from high incidences of disabling conditions—also will increase the demand for therapeutic services. In addition, medical advances now enable more patients with critical problems to survive—patients who ultimately may need extensive therapy.

Hospitals will continue to employ a large number of occupational therapists to provide therapy services to acutely ill inpatients. Hospitals also will need occupational therapists to staff their outpatient rehabilitation programs.

Employment growth in schools will result from the expansion of the school-age population and extended services for disabled students. Therapists will be needed to help children with disabilities prepare to enter special education programs.

Related Occupations

Occupational therapists use specialized knowledge to help individuals perform daily living skills and achieve maximum independence. Other workers performing similar duties include audiologists, chiropractors, physical therapists, recreational therapists, rehabilitation counselors, respiratory therapists, and speech-language pathologists.