Qualities of an effective Occupational Therapist

Earning your occupational therapist degree can be your first step towards beginning a new and exciting career. While a degree is necessary to become a licensed OT, there are a few qualities and traits which are important for you to have. Most practicing occupational therapists possess all these qualities. Before deciding to head down this career path, it is critical to ask yourself in the event that you possess these common qualities, and if you're prepared to begin working being an occupational therapist.

Patience is really a key quality that occupational therapists should possess. Often, OTs are asked to work with physically, mentally and/or emotionally challenged individuals. These patients may find it difficult to check out directions or to get the hang of a new skill. Being  sensorimotor training , you will have to patiently work with your patients before desired outcome is reached.

Occupational therapists find themselves working with a number of different people. From  Find out more , to doctors and the patients' family members and co-workers, you'll be working with a variety of individuals whose ultimate goal, like yours, is to help the individual learn skills which will lead to a more productive life. The opportunity to work well with all of these people will undoubtedly be critical not merely to your success being an OT, but to your patient's success as well.

An occupational therapist must have a very strong desire to serve others, and exercise compassion and empathy for his or her patients. You will have situations you run into which could feel awkward. For example, you may need to assist a physically disabled person in learning how exactly to shower on his own. Your sense of empathy, plus your need to serve and help others, will help you to get through these circumstances, understanding that ultimately you're helping the person to begin to call home life just a little more independently.

Are you an excellent problem solver? Successful occupational therapists be capable of think and act quickly, and develop solutions to many types of problems. From the very beginning of your work with a patient, you will be solving problems by creating a plan to help rehabilitate them. Often,  Find more information  will have to think creatively to come up with answers to problems your patient is having. Critical thinking and the ability to solve challenges are excellent assets to any successful OT.

Throughout your occupational therapy courses, you'll be learning technical and academic areas of your job as an OT. It's important to remember, however, that academic training isn't likely to prepare you for each and every situation, nor can it teach you all of these important qualities. By evaluating your strengths, and understanding areas where you may want to improve, you'll be well on your way to a successful career in occupational therapy.