Professionals help patients with activities of daily living
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Working as an occupational therapist might seem like the same thing as a physical therapist, but the two careers have important differences.
“OT is similar to PT, but there are different areas you’re working on,” said Jenny Dickinson, director of special children services at Onondaga County Public Health.
Typically, OT focuses on regaining the skills to perform activities of daily living and work (if the patient is employed). But PT is more about helping patients improve their range of motion, regain strength and mobility and lower their pain. OT can also include cognitive function and sensory processing.
After learning about occupational therapy while a freshman in college, Kelly Christensen, now an occupational therapist for Finger Lakes Health, knew that was the career path for her.
“I love having the opportunity to help people achieve even the smallest milestone,” she said.
At Finger Lakes Health, the organization offers short-term rehabilitation, long-term care and out-patient rehabilitation. In each of those areas, occupational therapists can help patients strategize ways to use their arms and hands to complete activities of daily living, especially those related to self-care.
“We look at what’s needed for that individual to return home,” she said.
In general, occupational health can serve patients from youngsters in early intervention through end-of-life care.
“The profession is great for those looking to help someone,” Christensen said. “There’s a component of teaching too, so we’re often teaching a new way to do a skill. The ability to talk with people is important. And the ability to form relationships. When people are at their worst or lowest is when we’re helping them. Something hard has happened to them. We’re working with them in a vulnerable space. Being able to bond with them is helpful.”
The career requires a master’s level education and doctorate and post-professional doctorate programs are also available.
Julie Kunisch, doctor of occupational therapy, clinical associate professor and chair and program director of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Nazareth University, noted that the Bureau of Labor Statistics foresees that occupational employment is expected to grow “faster than average” and that “U.S. News & World Report named OT number 4 in the best healthcare careers.”
She believes that the aging population represents a key reason for this expansion. People want to remain independent and at home as they age and OT can help. The higher awareness of mental health is also fueling this growth.
“OTs are essential mental health providers and can help people develop coping strategies to engage in meaningful activities,” Kunisch said. “More and more people are living with chronic conditions and disabilities. OTs are experts in promoting independence using adaptive strategies and environmental modifications.”
The healthcare world is also shifting to a prevention and early intervention model. Kunisch views OTs are important for these emphases. As holistic practitioners, they treat the whole person, not just the aspect of their health that hampers their ability to function independently.
In addition to aiding young children and older adults, OTs also work with people of all ages who have injuries and disabilities. Because medical technology has advanced to allow more people to live, OTs can help rehabilitate patients and foster a greater ability to live independently.
“As these trends continue to evolve, the demand for OTs is expected to keep growing, making it a dynamic and rewarding career,” Kunisch said.
She has been working in the field since 1996 and finds it fulfilling because of “the overall meaningful impact of the work and the personal rewards of the profession. OTs make a direct difference by helping others regain independence, improve their quality of life and achieve their goals which is highly rewarding.”
She also likes that occupational therapy is a dynamic field in which practitioners continuously learn and adapt to new research, techniques and technology.
“This professional growth and opportunities to specialize in different areas like pediatrics, mental health, hand therapy and geriatrics support a fulfilling career,” Kunisch said. “OT is fulfilling work because it allows practitioners to make a profound impact on people’s lives, fosters meaningful relationships, offers variety and professional growth and provides meaningful rewards from seeing tangible improvements in people’s wellbeing and quality of life.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for an occupational therapist in the Syracuse area is $84,030.