Occupational Therapy - SA Health - SA.Gov.au

SA HealthOccupationalTherapyHealthy careeropportunities existin health

Occupational TherapyWhat is Occupational Therapy?Occupational Therapy is a health profession that assists peopleto engage in meaningful occupations and roles, to enablethem to participate in everyday living to their full potential.Occupations may include self care, work and leisure activities.Limitations in people’s abilities to fulfil their daily activities orroles may be due to a health condition, such as physical injury,an ongoing illness or a psychological difficulty, developmentaldelay, or age related health changes.By facilitating skills for everyday life, occupational therapyhelps to enhance a person’s overall health and well-being.What does an Occupational Therapist do?An occupational therapist will work with a person and/or theirfamily or carers to overcome limitations in managing their dailyactivities through improving performance, maximising strengths,and adapting the activity or the environment. An OccupationalTherapist may work in acute care, mental health, physicalrehabilitation, community health, work rehabilitation, and withpeople of any age from children to older persons.Pathways into Occupational TherapyTo become an Occupational Therapist you will need tocomplete a recognised University degree course, such asa Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy). AllOccupational Therapists working in South Australia needto be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board ofSouth Australia.For more informationOT Australia, www.ausot.com.auOT Australia SA, www.otsa.org.auOccupational Therapy Board of South Australia,www.otrb.saboards.com.auOccupational Therapy Practice Act 2005,www.legislation.sa.gov.auor visit SA Health Careers at:www.health.sa.gov.au/careers© Department of Health, Government of South Australia.All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-74243-994-5 FIS: 10064.5Printed May 2010.