Occupational Therapists

Helping Others Get Back to Everyday Life

Occupational therapists help treat people of all ages that are injured, disabled, ill, or with developmental disabilities improve or restore daily living skills and vocational skills to help attain general independence in the home and workplace. Occupational therapists help with a wide variety issues such as stroke, heart attack, brain injury, developmental delays or disorders, and learning disabilities among other things. A few of their duties include:

• Perform skills assessments and develop treatment plans
• Customize treatment programs to improve an individual's ability to perform daily activities in the home and workplace
• Recommend and/or modify special equipment in home, educational, and workplace settings

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By 2028, the field of Occupational Therapy is expected to grow by 19 percent with an annual job opening of 158 in the Gulf Coast region.

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A mid-range salary for an Occupational Therapist is around $90,000 per year with the potential to exceed $100,000 per year

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While most Occupational Therapists work in health care, opportunities are also available in elementary and secondary education.

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Start Early and Be Prepared!

High School Endorsement: Public Service | STEM

Students should strive for the highest GPA possible in high school and undergrad to provide them with the edge needed for acceptance into graduate schools where seating is limited and many students are turned away. 

High school students interested in a career as an occupational therapist should take courses in biology, physics, chemistry, geometry, algebra, English, psychology, and health occupations/medical professions education as well as other electives under the relevant endorsement tracks.

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Do you fit the mold?

These skills, interests, and knowledge areas are recommended for a career as an LVN. The following data describes the relative importance of each knowledge/skill area from the opinion of those in the industry.

92.4%

Psychology

Human behavior and performance ability, including perceiving differences in ability, personality, and interests that guide motivations.

92.4%

Therapy & Counseling

Knowing the principles, methods, and procedures for aiding emotional dysfunctions, and for counseling and guidance.

85.8%

Medicine

Everything surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of human injuries and ailments, including symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

81.6%

Social Perceptiveness & Monitoring

Being aware of other's reactions and assessing the performance of individuals with the intention to take corrective action.

  

*Source: Texas Career Check.

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Pathway to becoming an Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists are regulated and licensed by the state in a way similar to that of registered nurses and doctors. Becoming an occupational therapist requires completing a master's degree as well as becoming licensed by the state. So, how does a person become an occupational therapist in Texas?

• Complete a master's degree program in occupational therapy (2 to 3 yrs)
  • 4-year bachelor's program to qualify
  • Requires at least 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork
• Obtain an occupational therapy license from the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

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Gulf Coast Region Occupational Therapist Programs

Texas Woman's University
6700 Fannin St.
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: (713) 794-2128

University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, Tex 77555
Phone: (409) 772-1011

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Where to find employment in the Gulf Coast Region?

 

Major Employers Clinics Elementary and secondary schools Home Health Agencies Hospitals Rehabilitation Centers Nursing Care Facilities

(A Few) Examples in the Region Memorial Herman Ben Taub Houston Methodist Texas Children's Hospital M.D. Anderson Cancer Center MedCare Pediatric Group Genesis Circle of Care Cumberland Therapy Services Soliant Therapy Management Inc. Brookdale Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center The Woman's Hospital of Texas

If you have questions about our Industry/Occupation Profiles or are an organization in the Gulf Coast Region, please contact webmaster@wrksolutions.com.

*Includes the following counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton.