Are you looking for stress-free, highly satisfying work in a lucrative career in healthcare? If so, an occupational therapy job could be right for you. If you want to work closely with individuals to improve their quality of life, occupational therapy is a great career option.

You may change people's fortunes and create strong bonds in this special healthcare career. Occupational therapists (OT) are routinely rated as the most important healthcare profession in Australia.

The Occupational Therapy Board of Australia's definition of qualification to register and practise as an occupational therapist in Australia states that in order to be employed as an occupational therapist in Australia, a person must be licensed by the Board and fulfil its registration requirements.

A valid visa granted by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (Australian Immigration Department) is also necessary if you're immigrating from another nation.

The fact that these two application procedures are fundamentally different from one another is highlighted, and achievement in one does not imply accomplishment in the other.

What is an occupational therapist?

Occupational therapists are trained medical practitioners who assist patients in discovering solutions for carrying out necessary or desired daily tasks.

Although the term "occupation" is typically used to allude to a job or career, it may also relate to routine activities that allow us to live freely and give our lives purpose. Your wellness and general happiness can benefit from engaging in purposeful pursuits.

Occupational therapists are medical specialists that treat patients of all ages with a variety of medical conditions. They strive to make environments and tasks more accommodating so that persons with diseases, injuries, or impairments can live better. They work in a variety of places, including clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes.

Occupational therapists, sometimes referred to as OTs, assist people of all ages in overcoming physical challenges or illnesses. They help individuals with living their ordinary routine, doing anything from doing an in-home evaluation to helping them with chores like cooking, cleaning, getting dressed, driving, and so much more.

Education and training

Occupational therapists are professionals with master's degrees in the field. A PhD may also be held by others. It takes two to three years to get a Master's degree, and roughly 3.5 years to complete a PhD degree. Practicum is necessary for both degrees, with Master's students completing a least 24 weeks of full-time fieldwork. Further fieldwork lasting at least 14 weeks is required of doctoral candidates.

To earn a licence in their region, they must acquire accreditation administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. To maintain their licence, they must also take continuing education programs once a year. Some could be certified by the American Occupational Therapy Association in a board or speciality, such as paediatrics, gerontology, mental health, or rehabilitation programs.

If you concluded your occupational therapy studies abroad, you must have been found qualified for registration by the OTC in order to practise in Australia. Occupational therapy studies must have been finished at a World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) accredited institution in Australia or New Zealand.

In Australia, there is a wide selection of positions and possibilities in both profession-specific and general positions, with each region and area providing a fulfilling and demanding environment.

Steps to becoming an occupational therapist

In Australia, there are 2 methods to become an occupational therapist, both of which involve specialized certifications.

Step 1 - Obtain a bachelor's programme in occupational therapy as the first stage. Australia's undergraduate degrees in occupational therapy normally take four years.

Step 2 - You can seek a master's degree in occupational therapy after receiving a bachelor's degree in any field. Normally, it would require 5 to 5.5 years to finish this program (three years for an undergraduate degree and two to two and a half years for a master's programme). You might need to complete certain undergraduate courses before joining a master's programme to be an occupational therapist.

Step 3  - Gain work experience

Step 4 - To conduct occupational therapy in Australia, you must register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and satisfy its registration requirements.

Additional qualifications required

Hard skills are used by effective occupational therapists to get the greatest outcomes for their patients. Their ability to build connections with clients and their interpersonal networks is aided by their soft talents. The aforementioned abilities are aspired after by health care providers who need occupational therapists.

?      Capabilities in Written and Oral Interaction

To comprehend the limitations, challenges, and aspirations of their patients, occupational therapists in Australia need to be great communicators as well as active listeners.

If they need more details to get a true overview of their patient's condition, they must understand the right things to ask. Effective communications are frequently used by occupational therapists to instruct patients and interact with the safety net. With the aid of their written communication abilities, they are able to produce insightful reports.

?      Ability to solve problems

To assist their patients in overcoming challenges, occupational therapists should possess problem-solving abilities. They ought to be able to recognise the limitations imposed by their clientele and devise solutions that will help them achieve their goals. The best occupational therapists create individualised strategies since each patient has certain constraints and objectives.

?      Relational competencies

Excellent interpersonal abilities aid occupational therapists in forging connections with their patients and other parts of the network of support, such as other health personnel. Clients who work well with occupational therapists are frequently inspired to put in more effort and accomplish more.

?      Psychology and counselling

Occupational therapists who are knowledgeable in psychology and counselling techniques are better able to effectively evaluate their patients and decide how to help them. They are aware of the diverse characteristics of their customers and know how to interact with them to help them pick up new abilities and stay inspired.

Numerous occupational therapists deal with patients who have psychological issues that need for sensitive handling. Occupational therapists can create suitable care plans with the use of this knowledge.

?      Self-management

Occupational therapists need to have good self-management skills in order to help their patients. Clients may grow angry if they are uncomfortable or moving more slowly than they would like. Occupational therapists can assist their patients' attempts in these circumstances by being composed and compassionate.

Conclusion

Occupational therapists have a wide range of specialisation options. They may decide to specialise in a particular area, such as working with people who are recuperating from physical or mental illnesses. Others could create and carry out injury prevention efforts while working in business environments. They can work in research and policy development as well. The pathway to becoming an Occupational Therapist in Australia is straightforward and simple if followed right.

If you need more information in this regard, you can directly contact us on 1300 - 633 - 388. If you are looking for a job opportunity to render your service as an occupational therapist in Australia, visit us here for an abundance of openings. We at Medfuture look forward to assisting you on your career journey.