You might think that occupational therapists (OTs) help people find jobs, or council people who have workplace issues. This is a commonly held misconception about this under-the-radar career path. The term ‘occupation’ in OT actually refers to anything that is a meaningful activity, and includes all things that give satisfaction to peoples lives.

Dr. Bonnie Kirsh, an associate professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, who has been teaching for over twenty years, sums up the important role OTs play in people’s lives. “Occupational therapists work in many settings, with many different populations, from newborns to those who are very elderly, with all kinds of conditions. But the common denominator is that OTs help people resume their roles in life or develop new roles in life that are meaningful and fulfilling, and the focus for occupational therapy is on engaging in meaningful activities for people of all ages and in all walks of life. We help people, many of whom who have experienced some illness or disability, to engage in meaningful and productive roles. I often say, ‘we help people get a life.’”

OTs find jobs in a variety of different settings: in community agencies, hospitals, rehab centres, chronic care facilities, schools, social agencies and are self-employed. Their responsibilities vary based on the setting, population, and specific needs of their client, but “one thing that unites [them] is that [they] tend to be good problem solvers that help find solutions to enable people to do what they need to do and want they want to do in their daily life,” says Janet Craik, the director of professional practice at theCanadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

The field is multidisciplinary and draws on sociology, psychology, human anatomy, kinesiology, and human physiology, bringing together a diverse group of people. “The beauty of OT is that it embraces all kinds of disciplines within its lens,” says Dr. Kirsh. “A lot of our students come from psychology and kinesiology, but we also have students who come from entirely different walks, like music and philosophy.” With some Canadian master’s programs having little or no prerequisites, all students with an interest in enhancing the lives of people with an illness or disability are encouraged to apply.

Current job opportunities in Canada are excellent: “The number of new graduates currently entering the field is already producing sharp growth in employment but is still too small to meet the demand,” notes Service Canada. The increased need for occupational therapists can be attributed to the aging population, the increase in the use of technology, and the step towards promoting mental health before illness occurs. The average annual growth rate expected from 2011 to 2015 for occupational therapists is 3.2 per cent, four times the average annual growth rate for all jobs in Canada, according to Service Canada.

Craik says, “occupational therapists are creating new roles. Traditionally, we’ve been seen in the hospital settings and the homecare settings, I’m seeing lots of innovative OTs out there creating new roles within the community health centres. There’s lots of opportunity for innovative practice.”

The diverse opportunities for occupational therapists points to one of the challenges of the field: identifying your niche of interest. Tess Fischer, who is in her first year of University of Toronto’s master of science program in occupational therapy, notes the advantages of shadowing. “I shadowed an OT while completing my undergraduate degree at McGill and it opened my eyes to how broad the profession is. After I shadowed, I started reading more about OT and realized all of the different fields you can work in, everything from mental health, like depression and eating disorders, to broken bones, stroke rehabilitation, and multiple sclerosis.”

Dr. Kirsh also advises students to shadow at least one OT in order to get a sense of what the occupation involves. “If you visit one OT than you know about one piece of it. I would say if you can visit a variety of different kinds of practices to get a broad sense of what OT is about...it’s really helpful, you get a big picture. Some students are quite surprised at the breadth of the profession, and it’s good to know before you come into it.”

To learn more about OT and see the list of 14 accredited schools in Canada, click here.

Photos: Alex Sokolov/Thinkstock