Similar to other therapy jobs, this job entails a number of different things. You will need to know how to handle a large variety of problems and have some sort of therapy method to resolve the issue. You can be creative with this in some situations, but when you are working in a corporate office, you will have a large number of guidelines you will be expected to follow. You will not be allowed to experiment with some of the less ordinary methods of therapy. Most likely you will need to be well versed in the widely accepted methods.
This line of work requires a great deal of schooling. You will need a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s, and most likely a PhD as well. It depends on how specific you want to be and how highly paid you expect to be. You do not necessarily need any experience. However, most schooling will include a large number of real world experiences so you will have your bases covered. With additional specialized schooling, you will most likely work with all kinds of troubled patients, being monitored by staff to make sure you follow proper methods of therapy and treatment.
Because you will be expected to endure many, many years of schooling, you can expect a much higher salary to begin with than normal professions. Most starting salaries in this field range from $90,000 to$125,000 for the first year. After all the schooling, you have earned it and most likely need it to pay off all those student loans. You are a doctor by trade and many people will address you as such, so you should be paid like a doctor.
Occupational therapy jobs can be very stressful, and it is your job to relieve others of their stress, so you can never show your own emotional stress. You must always remain calm and collected. Many people will be very aggravated and agitated when they visit you. Your demeanor will do a lot to calm them down, but if you are stressed or uncomfortable it will only enhance their anxiety and this could disrupt into something much worse. So you must learn to maintain control of yourself at all times. As a technician in the field, you will learn the craft and science behind the therapy, and you will most likely use it just the same as other therapists. It is a difficult but rewarding job.
