Occupational therapist

You'll empower people to perform everyday activities with greater confidence and independence to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life. Activities can include self-care, work, education and leisure.

You'll work with a range of people, including children and young people, adults with physical or learning disabilities, people with mental health or long-term health conditions, and older adults.

You'll assess people's needs and develop individual treatment plans. You may recommend adaptations to their home, workplace, school or other environments, as well as specialist equipment or assistive technology to support daily activities. You'll regularly review progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.

What does an occupational therapist do?

As an occupational therapist, you'll:

• take a holistic approach to each person's physical and mental wellbeing, considering their physical, social, psychological and environmental needs
• establish realistic goals with each person and develop strategies to help them achieve meaningful outcomes
• assess, plan, implement and evaluate support plans in hospital and community settings
• liaise with other professionals, such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and social workers, as well as the person's family, teachers, carers and employers
• maintain accurate records and prepare reports, care plans and case reviews
• refer people to other specialists and services when appropriate
• manage a caseload, prioritising people's needs and completing administrative duties.

Your activities will vary depending on the people you support and your area of practice. For example, you may:

• develop rehabilitation programmes to help people regain skills and confidence following illness or injury
• support safe discharge from hospital and help people adapt to living independently at home
• advise on adaptations to homes, schools and workplaces, such as improving accessibility for wheelchair users
• recommend specialist equipment or assistive technology to support daily activities
• teach techniques to manage anxiety, stress or other challenges affecting daily life
• support people returning to work, education or other meaningful activities
• help people with learning disabilities develop practical and social skills.

What salary can I expect as an occupational therapist?

• Salaries for occupational therapists working in the NHS start at £32,073 to £39,043 (Band 5 of the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) Pay Rates).
• Salaries for specialist occupational therapists range from £39,959 to £48,117 (Band 6) and advanced/highly specialist occupational therapists can earn £49,387 to £56,515 (Band 7).
• Salaries for senior roles, such as clinical lead occupational therapist, clinical manager, service manager and consultant occupational therapist, typically range from £57,528 to £77,368 (Bands 8a and 8b).

Salaries in local government are likely to be at similar levels to the NHS. Salaries will vary depending on the type of employer, your location, skills, experience and level of responsibility.

With experience, you may also choose to set up in private practice where there may be the potential to earn more. Success depends on a range of factors including your skills, specialist areas, experience, location, contacts and entrepreneurial skills.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does an occupational therapist work?

In the NHS you'll typically work a 37.5-hour week. Depending on your role and setting, you may need to work flexibly across a seven-day service. Some positions involve weekend and bank holiday working, for which enhancements may be paid.

In private practice, you may work evenings and weekends to suit client needs.

Part-time and other flexible working arrangements are possible.

How do I become an occupational therapist?

To practise as an occupational therapist in the UK, you must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register, you must complete an HCPC-approved pre-registration occupational therapy programme at either undergraduate or postgraduate level. All approved programmes are accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

You'll also need occupational health clearance and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme in Scotland) before starting a course.

Undergraduate occupational therapy degrees usually take three years full time (four years in Scotland), although part-time and integrated Masters courses are available. Accelerated postgraduate courses for graduates typically take two years full time (four years part time). All programmes combine academic study with professional practice placements, providing experience across a range of occupational therapy settings.

Search the list of HCPC-approved programmes.

If you're based in England, you may be able to train through an occupational therapy degree apprenticeship, which combines paid work with part-time study and leads to HCPC registration.

Eligible pre-registration occupational therapy students studying at a university in England can receive funding support of at least £5,000 per year through the NHS Learning Support Fund. Funding arrangements differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check with the relevant student funding body.

Another route into the profession is to work as an occupational therapy support worker, assistant or rehabilitation assistant. With employer support, it may be possible to progress to an approved occupational therapy qualification while working.

For more information on becoming an occupational therapist, including training routes and financial support, visit the RCOT.

What skills does an occupational therapist need?

You'll need:

• assessment skills to identify people's physical, cognitive, emotional and environmental needs and plan appropriate interventions
• care planning and goal-setting skills to develop personalised treatment plans and monitor progress
• caseload management and report-writing skills to prioritise workload, maintain records and produce clear recommendations
• communication skills to build therapeutic relationships and work effectively with families, carers and other professionals
• creative problem-solving skills to develop practical solutions, adapt environments and recommend assistive equipment or technology
• empathy and a person-centred approach to understand people's experiences and support them to achieve meaningful goals
• multidisciplinary teamworking skills to collaborate with professionals such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers and teachers.

Do I need occupational therapy work experience?

It's a good idea to gain an understanding of occupational therapy before applying for a course. Shadowing a qualified occupational therapist, visiting an occupational therapy service or speaking to occupational therapists working in different settings can help you decide whether the profession is right for you. Contact your local hospital, social services department or other healthcare providers to find out about opportunities.

Experience of supporting vulnerable people in health, social care or the voluntary sector, either in a paid or voluntary role, can strengthen your application and demonstrate your commitment to helping people improve their quality of life.

If you're unable to arrange work experience, some organisations offer virtual work experience to help you learn more about the role. You can also research the profession through resources such as the RCOT website.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs occupational therapists?

Large NHS trusts may employ dozens of occupational therapists across a range of services, including acute care, rehabilitation, mental health and community teams. Smaller NHS organisations and local authority departments may employ fewer occupational therapists in more generalist roles.

Occupational therapists working for local authorities typically support people in the community, assessing their needs and recommending adaptations, equipment and services to help them live independently.

Other employers include:

• charities and voluntary organisations
• community health services
• equipment manufacturers
• government bodies
• GP surgeries and primary care networks
• housing associations
• mental health and rehabilitation services
• occupational health and vocational rehabilitation services
• prisons and secure settings
• private healthcare providers and consultancies
• residential and nursing homes
• schools, colleges and universities.

With experience, you may choose to set up in private practice and run your own business. Independent occupational therapists can create a profile in the RCOT Find an Occupational Therapist directory to help potential clients find their services.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Community Care Jobs
• Health Jobs UK
• LG Jobs
• NHS Jobs and NHSScotland Jobs
• RCOT Jobs

Specialist recruitment agencies such as JustOT and Your World Healthcare also handle vacancies.

Where can a career in occupational therapy lead?

As a newly qualified occupational therapist, you'll typically receive in-house training, clinical supervision and support from experienced colleagues. Early career opportunities are available across the NHS, local government and the private sector. Many occupational therapists in the NHS begin in rotational posts, while those working for local authorities often develop expertise in social care and community-based practice.

To remain registered with the HCPC, you'll need to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career. This can include formal training courses, work-based learning, professional networking and reflective practice. RCOT membership provides access to CPD resources, events, professional networks and specialist interest groups.

With experience, occupational therapists can develop expertise in areas such as children and young people, mental health, neurological rehabilitation, learning disabilities, housing, trauma and musculoskeletal health, older people or vocational rehabilitation. Career progression may involve moving into specialist, advanced practitioner, supervisory or team leader roles. Progression is influenced by factors such as experience, specialist knowledge, CPD and willingness to take on additional responsibilities.

Further career development can lead to senior clinical, leadership, management, education, research or consultant occupational therapist positions. Some occupational therapists also move into independent practice, consultancy or overseas work opportunities.