1. Occupational Therapy A unique career choice

2. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages, helping them to carry out the activities that they need or want to do to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. There are over 28,000 occupational therapists in the UK. They work in: hospitals community schools charities prisons commercial organisations What is occupational therapy?

3. OTs working with rheumatological conditions may involve the following: Condition Education Psychological adjustment Splinting Functional/ADL/Vocational Rehab Stress and fatigue management Pain Management Joint protection and Energy Conservation OT helps people to feel in control of their lives with a long term condition. Occupational therapy in action…

4. Occupational therapy is a rewarding career You can make a real difference to people’s lives

5. Great prospects An experienced occupational therapist earns up to £40,000 A consultant occupational therapist earns £55,000 An independent practitioner earns a lot more

6. OTs can choose different roles Practitioner Manager Consultant Lecturer Researcher

7. OTs work in different settings NHS hospitals Social Services Disabled living centres Equipment companies Government agencies Housing departments Local community services Private hospitals Schools and universities Wheelchair services Hostels for the homeless Charities and voluntary organisations Residential care homes

8. "My job is really challenging. I genuinely love it. I am so lucky to work with a great team, and to have so many wonderful patients. It is so rewarding to work together in achieving goals that enable patients to lead independent and fulfilling lives.” What Jo says about her OT role Learning Disability Community Team

9. “It’s really great when we tell people they can drive again thanks to our work. This gives them a huge part of their life back, and gives them freedom without relying on other people “Working as an occupational therapist is about providing support in all areas of a person's life. It's a very flexible career option.” What Barry says about his OT role Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

10. “Occupational therapy enables me to work with many people and provides variety. I manage 100 staff, and no two days are the same. After 20 years I'm still excited by the job and never bored. There are always new things to learn and develop. ” What Denise says about her OT role Hospital OT

11. Train to become an occupational therapist Courses are available at 31 universities around the UK, including:  Full-time courses - three years* for school leavers (*four years in Scotland)  Full-time courses - two years for people with a first degree  Four year part-time and/or in-service courses for support workers

12. Occupational therapy courses 1,000 hours on practice placements, which can include: Physical rehabilitation Learning disabilities Mental health Social care A varied programme: Biological sciences (anatomy and physiology) Behavioural sciences (psychology and sociology) Occupational therapy as a profession Creative and management skills, therapeutic interventions Environmental adaptations Research

13. Do you enjoy... Helping people? Creative problem solving? Are you… A good communicator? Patient? A team player? Self-motivated? Do you want a career which is… Challenging? Varied and interesting? Career checklist

14. If the answer is ‘yes’, visit the College of Occupational Therapists’ website www.cot.org.uk/careers