Occupational Therapists
(NOC 3143)
in All HealthOccupational therapists develop individual and group programs with people affected by illness, injury, developmental disorders, emotional or psychological problems and ageing to maintain, restore or increase their ability to care for themselves and to engage in work, school or leisure. They also develop and implement health promotion programs with individuals, community groups and employers. They work in health care facilities, in schools, and at private and social services agencies, or they may be self-employed. Occupational therapists may specialize in working with specific populations like children or adults, or persons with distinct problems like dementia, traumatic brain injury and chronic pain, or provide special interventions like return-to-work programs.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Health
New graduates may need to work part-time for a year or more to accumulate enough experience to qualify for a full-time position. Jobseekers may face some competition for openings in Halifax due to the large supply of postsecondary graduates, while a shortage of applicants in some smaller communities sometimes results in positions remaining vacant for longer periods of time. Opportunities for occupational therapists in the private sector are diverse, with a growing number of working in mental health, addictions, and collaborative care settings.
Hourly Pay
$30.00
Minimum$38.97
Median$43.68
MaximumAnnual Pay
$21,334
Minimum$64,403
Median$73,705
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$26.60
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Occupational therapists develop individual and group programs with people affected by illness, injury, developmental disorders, emotional or psychological problems and ageing to maintain, restore or increase their ability to care for themselves and to engage in work, school or leisure. They also develop and implement health promotion programs with individuals, community groups and employers. They work in health care facilities, in schools, and at private and social services agencies, or they may be self-employed. Occupational therapists may specialize in working with specific populations like children or adults, or persons with distinct problems like dementia, traumatic brain injury and chronic pain, or provide special interventions like return-to-work programs.
Job duties
Occupational therapists:
- Analyze clients' capabilities and expectations related to life activities through observation, interviews, and formal assessments.
- Develop intervention programs to address clients' needs related to self-care, work, and leisure activities.
- Maintain clients' records.
- Create personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
- Consult and advise on health promotion programs to prevent disabilities and to maximize independent function in all activities of life.
- May supervise support personnel and students and provide training.
Sample job titles
- clinical occupational therapist
- clinical occupational therapy specialist
- community occupational therapist
- home care occupational therapist
- occupational therapist (OT)
- occupational therapist vocational evaluator
- occupational therapy rehabilitation consultant
- research and development occupational therapist
Skills
- You must have a genuine and sensitive interest in people and their ability to achieve. You must be able to communicate effectively with people and demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility, good judgement, patience, and self-discipline. Occupational therapists must be creative and unique in their approach to each client.
Job requirements
- A university degree in occupational therapy including supervised fieldwork is required or graduation from an occupational therapy program approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) is accepted in some provinces.
- Completion of the national certification examination may be required.
- Licensure with a regulatory body is required in Nova Scotia.
- Membership in the national association, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, is required in some provinces.
- Occupational therapists may obtain expertise in a particular area through additional training or experience.
Other considerations
- Occupational therapists may progress to management or administrative positions through further training and experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$62,448 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$51,864 median annual incomeCape Breton
$71,855 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
N/ASouthern
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Public administration
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$66,428 median annual incomeMaster
$63,583 median annual incomeDiploma Above Bachelor
N/ACollege Diploma
N/ACompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Occupational Therapy
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to help patients limited by physical, cognitive, psychosocial, mental, developmental, and learning disabilities, as well as adverse environmental conditions, to maximize their independence and maintain optimum health through a planned mix of acquired skills, performance motivation, environmental adaptations, assistive technologies, and physical agents. They include courses in the basic medical sciences, psychology, sociology, patient assessment and evaluation, standardized and non-standardized tests and measurements, assistive and rehabilitative technologies, ergonomics, environmental health, special education, vocational counselling, health education and promotion, and professional standards and ethics.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.