A Day in the Life - Occupational Therapist

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Best Careers 2009: Occupational Therapist Job Description

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WWRC Occupational Therapy Services

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Work conditioning as occupational therapy service

Work Conditioning is a 3 to 5 day per week individualized rehabilitation program designed to prepare the injured worker for returning to work. Our approach consists of combining both occupational and physical therapy with a strong emphasis on total body wellness. Your program will be focused on musculoskeletal and cardiovascular conditioning while incorporating work/job specific physical activities. You will also be educated in functional body mechanics, work pacing and tolerance, symptom management and injury prevention techniques. Most Work Conditioning programs are 2 hours per day and typically run 4 weeks.

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Work hardening as occupational therapy service

Work Hardening is often used as an extension or second half of a work conditioning program but is designed to return injured workers to a previously identified type of employment. After completion of the program you will have the physical ability and symptom management skills necessary for successful reemployment. A specific work goal is required for admittance to this program. Work hardening is a job specific work intensive protocol that progresses from 4 hours daily to 8 hours over a period of 4 weeks.

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Occupational Therapy Intervention/Treatment

Occupational therapy treatment, like most treatment therapies, is based on predetermined sets of specific and defined goals as set by the therapeutic professionals. Proactive and positive, these goals contribute to the betterment, maintenance, and/or overall mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well being of a patient in rehabilitation.

Occupational therapy treatment example:

Walking Training

Stroke Rehabilitation

Activity Of Daily Living Training

Children Development Intervention



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Occupational Therapy Assessment

Assessment is core to the delivery of occupational therapy services. It serves as the foundation for all subsequent clinical decisions, professional opinion, intervention and recommendations. Completion of an occupational therapy assessment involves a comprehensive and consistent process, whether it is condensed into one visit or continued over several. The following standards and guidelines apply to all types of occupational therapy assessments. They are based on core occupational therapy principles and essential competencies of practice and applied according to the type of service provided and needs of the individual client.

Jamar Hand Evaluation Set

Dynamometer

LOTCA Cognitive Assessment

 Peabody Assessment



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Who Need Occupational Therapy Services?

Occupational therapy is a treatment for children and adults who suffer from conditions that affect their mental or physical capabilities and/or their development. Occupational therapy can help people perform daily functions, such as dressing themselves or writing, or with problem solving and mental acuity for enhanced brain function. Often, people with injuries need to gain strength in affected muscle groups or even re-learn how to perform certain activities. Occupational therapy supports in achieving these goals.

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What is Occupational Therapy?


Occupational therapy is a profession allied to medicine and involves a creative problem- solving process in which people experiencing physical, mental health or learning difficulties are enabled to reach an optimum level of functioning, independence and quality of life. Service users are viewed holistically in terms of their physical and psychological abilities and their social, cultural and environmental context. Service users and occupational therapists collaborate in defining needs and goals, which will enable and empower them to take control of their lives to achieve a personally meaningful lifestyle. The fundamental values of occupational therapy include: 

  • A regard for the productive potential of each individual and the need for participation in occupation;
  • An understanding of the relationship between occupation and health and well-being;
  • A recognition of the requirements for a balanced life style between work, play and self care;
  • A belief in the ability of the individual to take responsibility for his/her own life.

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