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A CAREER TO CONSIDER

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy (O.T.) is a specialized health care profession which provides service to people of any age who are having trouble managing their everyday activities (occupations) because of physical or mental health problems.

The goal of Occupational Therapy is to minimize or prevent the effects of these difficulties on peoples' lives, so they can achieve an independent, productive and satisfying lifestyle.

Occupational Therapists assist individuals to manage tasks needed to take care of themselves (eg. dressing, eating, shopping) as well as those activities that allow them to work (eg. housework, child care, paid work) or enjoy their free time (eg. tole paint, play an instrument, woodworking).

Where do Occupational Therapists work?

Occupational Therapy is a challenging and satisfying career with diverse job opportunities. Examples of where Occupational Therapy services are available  include the following:

  • General hospitals
  • Rehabilitation centres
  • Extramural hospital (community home care)
  • Mental health centres
  • Long term care facilities (nursing homes, veteran residences)
  • Schools
  • Private practice
  • Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission
  • Private Industry
  • Insurance companies

What are Occupational Therapists' Qualifications?

Occupational Therapists have....

  • graduated from an accredited university programme with a four year baccalaureate degree in Occupational Therapy or a master's degree in Occupational Therapy or rehabilitation
  • successfully completed a minumum of 1000 hours of fieldwork education
  • successfully passed the certification examination administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), or met provincial registration qualifications

Where are Occupational Therapy Programmes Offered?

Occupational Therapy programmes are offered at twelve universities across Canada.

  • Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
  • Universite Laval, Quebec, QC
  • McGill University, Montreal, QC
  • Universite de Montreal, Montreal, QC
  • University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
  • Queen's University, Kingston, ON
  • University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
  • McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
  • University of Western Ontario, London, ON
  • University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN
  • University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
  • University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Admission requirements for entrance into an Occupational Therapy programme vary from university and it is important that you have the proper pre-requisites for the university program that you wish to enter. Students should have a strong science and social science background. Please check the university calendar for specific details.

It's Worth Looking Into.....

For more information about Occupational Therapy, contact an Occupational Therapy department in a hospital or extra-mural unit near you or check out the national website, www.caot.ca