Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

The Work

Occupational therapists work with people who are physically or mentally disabled. They help their clients to maximise their independence at home and in their working and social lives.  
 
First, clients are assessed using various physical, psychological, perceptual or cognitive tests. This provides the Occupational Therapist with an understanding of the client's capabilities and potential.  
 
The Occupational Therapist builds up a general picture of the client's needs by consulting other professionals, such as physiotherapists and social workers. They also have access to the doctor's report.  
 
Then the Occupational Therapist and the client decide together which skills are needed in order to maximise independence. These needs are determined by the client's condition and anticipated lifestyle. For instance, physically impaired clients may need help in strengthening muscles, co-ordinating movements and improving stamina.  
 
If someone has had an accident, they may need to re-learn basic 'living skills' (e.g. washing, cooking). Occupational Therapists help people return to work as well, by training them in simulated work situations to improve their confidence, for example.  
 
Occupational Therapists often visit people in their homes, to advise on alterations that will make independent living easier and more comfortable. For example, the adjustment of toilet seats or work surfaces may enable elderly people to live at home safely. Occupational Therapists will also arrange for extra support for clients (e.g. home help services).  
 
People with mental health problems are often supported by an Occupational Therapist in their own home. They may need therapy for anxiety or depression, which prevents them from going out to work. The Occupational Therapist builds up their self-confidence by improving their social and coping skills.  
 
This may be done by practising work-related skills or through assertiveness training. Communication skills may be developed through activities such as group discussion or working on the preparation of a meal with other clients.  
 
An Occupational Therapist may work with individual clients or with groups. Group exercises are particularly effective in teaching relaxation or communication skills. 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyse medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
• Complete and maintain necessary records.
• Plan, organise, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate those impaired because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
• Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps.
• Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.
• Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
• Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.
• Lay out materials such as pussles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions.
• Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
• Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, such as splints, braces, and computer-aided adaptive equipment.

Further Information

• Occupational Therapist - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Occupational Therapist - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Training & Development Pathways

FET PLC Courses: Occupational Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Studies at NFQ Level 5 Search FET PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO Entry: Health Science with Occupational Therapy Studies, Occupational Therapy NFQ 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate study: MSc Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification), Occupational Therapy - Research,  Occupational Therapy - Structured at NFQ levels 9-10

AOTI Assoc of Occupational Therapists Ireland

CORU

Last Updated: August, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €36k - €83k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
HSE.ie/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was below average for therapy professionals, with levels in 2022 remaining below that of 2020. Although LFS data does not allow for a detailed breakdown of employment in this group, Census data for 2016 and 2022 shows detailed employment as follows.

Despite the lack of overall employment growth in recent years, issues with recruitment resulted in a number of therapist roles (occupational, physiotherapists and speech and language) being added to the Critical Skills Employment Permit List in June 2022. A total of 53 new permits were issued in 2022, primarily for physiotherapists with a small number for occupational and speech & language therapists.

The delivery of the Sláintecare report, particularly in terms of community care and mental health services, will require additional staffing in these occupations and, while a combined total of 100 additional training places are planned for occupational, physio, and speech/language therapists in Ireland and Northern Ireland’s education system, given the duration of training programmes, recruitment difficulties for these posts are unlikely to ease in the short-to-medium term. However, as employment levels are not increasing and the data does not allow for detailed analysis, it is not possible to determine if shortages exist for this occupation at present.

• CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals

  • Infinity Building, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y
  • (01) 293 3160
  • [email protected]/ [email protected]/ [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland

  • AOTI Office 201 18 Herbert Street Dublin 2 D02 FK19
  • 01-8748136
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here