There’s an intense demand for the next generation of occupational therapists (OTs) – and a wealth of rewarding occupational therapy (OT) careers, including opportunities to work with the neurodiverse community. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), OT employment is expected to grow 14 percent between 2021 and 2031. “This has become more
If you’re a licensed occupational therapist (OT) and are exploring the range of places an occupational therapist can work, you may be contemplating ways to take your occupational therapy career to the next level. A Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) is a viable and attractive option. This degree program prepares graduates to improve patient
A Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree enables healthcare professionals to assist clients in a variety of ways, from helping seniors learn how to mitigate falls in their homes to promoting the physical mobility of employees who have been injured in the workplace.1 Occupational therapists (OTs) also enjoy a rewarding professional experience: The U.S. Bureau
If you’re looking for a career that allows you to help individuals improve their daily lives in meaningful and creative ways, occupational therapy may be right for you. As a registered occupational therapist (OTR), you may work with individuals or groups dealing with all types of physical and mental injuries and disabilities. Your role will
“I never once thought, coming into this school, that I would be working for a scuba diving company as an occupational therapist. Never once did I think I would get to travel the world and interact with so many amazing people who have so many challenges and so many experiences—and be part of something so
Students on the USAHS campus in St. Augustine, Florida, led by Flex Master of Occupational Therapy (Flex MOT) student Lureida Soto, were inspired to form an organization to support student veterans and family members of veterans and active-duty military. What began as the FLSA Student Veterans Club in fall 2021 has grown into a chapter
Madison Rowlison’s, OTD, OTR/L (OTD ’21) Doctor of Occupational Therapy capstone project focused on community access for elderly residents in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Sunland Park is a rural community on the U.S.-Mexico border near Las Cruces, where she resides. Dr. Rowlison worked with the city council and transportation board to make changes for better
In January 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic was weighing heavy on society, students were learning at home, and the Black Lives Matter movement was inspiring demonstrations for equality around the country, MOT student Spencer Rasberry decided to join a group that offered ways to interact on these topics. The Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for
At a key transition point in their studies, occupational therapy students across all USAHS campuses participate in a meaningful ritual, witnessed by family and friends. The OT pinning ceremony marks the end of the classroom portion of their studies and the beginning of their fieldwork. For Residential MOT and OTD students, this happens in their
When OTD student Shaina Rooney was first introduced to the 3D printer in her Assistive Technology class, “I loved it,” she says. “I saw the potential. 3D printers are new tools that occupational therapists can use to create an endless number of interventions for patients.” For example, they can print orthoses, assistive devices, home improvement
As the U.S. population continues to age, demand for healthcare workers like occupational therapists will grow, too (Vespa, 2019). From 2020-2030, about 10,100 job openings for occupational therapists are projected each year on average with projected change in employment being 23,000. That being said, there’s never been a better time to enter the field of
“Telehealth expands the scope of whom therapists can access—and who can access therapy,” says Keith McWilliams, OTD, OTR/L, CBIS, DRS, assistant professor of occupational therapy. When so much of patient care went to telehealth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, our students’ clinical fieldwork went virtual as well. In a series that Dr.