Occupational Therapists

An Occupational Therapist (OT) assists individuals to participate in the activities of everyday life. They achieve this outcome by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to participate, or by modifying their environment to better support participation.

Occupational Therapists need the following skills and qualifications:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships with clients, their families and other service providers
• Organisational and time management skills
• Tertiary qualifications in occupational therapy
• Eligibility for registration with the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists

Search for Occupational Therapist jobs or learn more about other frontline professional roles in the disability and community care sector.

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Meet some Occupational Therapists

Helena Young

Helena is a Senior OT at The Children's Hospital in Westmead.

What do you believe makes a good OT and what skills are needed?  

I think a good OT needs to be client focused and observant, with good communication skills. A willingness to engage with clients and families, in determining appropriate goals and expectations at different stages of life, is also essential.

Clients are very good at recognising the quality of care and skill in the health professionals that are in their team, and I think that OTs provide the practical side of this caring. Whether it is solving a technical problem, listening and reflecting with the client on what the problems are in their life, or formulating goals and actions with all stakeholders.

Occupational Therapists are seen as skilled professionals who contribute in a big way to a client's quality of life. Occupational Therapists need to be adaptable and resourceful in their approach to problem-solving and have a willingness to learn continually.

Would you recommend OT as a career option?

I would definitely recommend OT as a career. There is so much variety in the OT field, new graduates have a lot of choice in which area they work.

In terms of personal job satisfaction, it rates highly for me. Anyone who is interested in a job that satisfies their needs for personal development, satisfying work relationships and a stimulating work environment should look at OT, especially if that person has an interest in people and quality of life issues.

Linda Macartney 

Linda is an OT with Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) on the Central Coast.

Why did you become an OT

I became an OT to help people to get the most out of life in a practical way, no matter what their circumstance. Occupational Therapy appealed to me because it incorporates the physical, mental, social and emotional aspects of life. I was interested in working in the community in a health related role, but not in a medical capacity.

I had a particular interest in promoting healthy living and seeing people make choices that would make life easier and enjoyable. The ability to work with a wide range of people and use problem solving skills to develop ways of improving the lives of people with a disability was also attractive for me. There is also the opportunity to work internationally and I had a desire to travel.

What do you like about your job?

The role requires therapists to be creative in problem solving while enhancing the lives of people with disabilities and their families. I enjoy helping families to make changes, and especially seeing children with developmental delays developing their skills.

Working with children in a school setting is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. The teacher-therapist relationship is a great partnership which enables children with special needs to access support for learning. Most of all I enjoy helping people find meaning and purpose in life through engaging in activities, which allows them to demonstrate who they are and what they enjoy doing.