Occupational therapist
Motivate and support people to overcome disabilities caused by physical or mental illness, an accident or ageing.
About the job
What it's like
You would motivate and support people to overcome physical difficulties caused by physical or mental illness, an accident or ageing. You’d help people lead full and independent lives and, where possible, prevent disability.
Working with your patients on a one-to-one basis, you’d create a treatment and activity programme to suit each person.
For example, you could:
Teach an older patient recovering from a stroke how to dress themselves
Support someone who has depression to take up a hobby or activity
Suggest ways to adapt an office so a person injured in an accident can go back to work
Help someone adjust to permanent disabilities
You would keep notes about their progress. You’d advise and support patients, and their families and carers.
The people who need your help may be angry, disappointed or frustrated because of their circumstances. You’d need to be able to motivate and encourage them. You’d need to understand people’s priorities and lifestyles and devise treatment programmes to suit each person's needs and lifestyle.
Some patients may have conditions such as motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis, which means that they gradually become less mobile and more disabled. You would try to encourage a positive attitude, which can help people stay active for as long as possible.
With experience, you could specialise in an area such as:
Burns or plastic surgery
Cardiac or stroke rehabilitation
Paediatrics
Orthopaedics (spinal injury)
Community disability services
Mental health
You could work with patients for several months or just for a few sessions. You would often work as part of a team of professionals, including physiotherapists, nurses and social workers.
You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the Occupational therapist page on the NHS Careers website.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- motivating others
- mentoring
- coaching
- developing a plan
- social conscience
- empathising
- problem solving
- verbal communication
- listening
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
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Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Care
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Psychology
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Skills for Work: Health and Social Care
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You need an honours degree (SCQF Level 10) or postgraduate qualification (SCQF Level 11) in occupational therapy.
Entry to a degree (SCQF Level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers or a relevant HNC/HND.
To enter a postgraduate course (SCQF Level 11) you will usually require an honours degree in a relevant subject.
You can enter an Occupational Therapy Support Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
Qualifications that show experience with care, health and wellbeing such as:
Skills for Work Health Sector (SCQF Level 4/5)
Health and Social Care (SCQF Level 6)
SQA Wellbeing Award (SCFQ Level 3-5)
To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.
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