03/26/2023
Occupational Therapy Month starts next month and it has come to my attention that many people do not understand what I do and other occupational practitioners do--nor do they understand the path to get there. It's my goal to help others understand that we are healthcare practitioners with a SCIENCE driven background. The schooling is not easy and yes I am a DOCTOR of occupational therapy. It took myself and my colleagues many years to obtain our degrees and I AM so PROUD of the profession I am in. This includes 122 credit plus hours of graduate levels courses.
Occupational Therapists must do the following to be called OTs:
-Attend an ACCREDITED school offering a MASTERS of Occupational Therapy---with that being said--there are OT's with bachelors degrees who have been grandfathered in and many universities are now making their programs ONLY entry level DOCTORATE programs (whether you agree or disagree with this is your own personal opinion--this post is not a spot for that)
-After going through 3-5 years of GRADUATE school based heavily in the sciences (including anatomy/physiology/kinesiology/neurorehabilitation at a GRADUATE level), OT's undergo specialization in the field of their choice through fieldwork education--2 (3) month UNPAID internships *mine were acute care--working in the hospital and a special needs school
-I also had to go through 2 cadaver labs intensely at UF and USA understanding at a cellular and anatomical level how the human body works
-It doesn't stop there, after graduate schools, OT's take a national board certificational exam---this ensures that once passed an OT has the competency to practice in the field and then as an OT you apply for the licensure in your state
-We are expected to maintain our license every 2 years by completing continuing education and renewing--I hold 2 state licenses that I maintain (California and Florida)
-We are also registered and are expected under NBCOT to maintain our R (eg. OTR/L)
**we are health care providers, professionals, with a Florida Dept of Healthcare license--WITHOUT it--you are not a practitioner, we are no other title--we are under the oath of a medical license--**
**OTs can work in many settings--WE ARE JUST NOT fine motor promoters---we are so many other things--we are an underrecognized and underrespected profession**
So when you see your OT--please give them a nod--this profession is going places and helping people along the way.
Happy soon to be OT month!
**Each week I'll be posting fun facts about my profession including what the outlook it**
