HealthcareISCO 2269
Occupational therapist
An occupational therapist is a person who helps people regain the ability to carry out everyday activities after illness, injury, or a temporary or lasting disability.
Check yourself in a minute: occupational therapist
Rate 5 of the 65 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
develop a rehabilitation programme
respond to changing situations in health care
educate on the prevention of illness
inform policy makers on health-related challenges
use e-health and mobile health technologies
About occupational therapist
The therapist examines the person's health and works out what has become difficult: dressing, preparing a meal, getting to the shops, returning to work. Treatment and rehabilitation are then built around those activities. The therapist selects equipment that supports daily tasks and instructs the person in using it, draws on orthopaedics and traumatology of the musculoskeletal system where movement is restricted, and on human physiology to judge what the body can take. Vocational rehabilitation is part of the role as well: preparing someone to return to their job or to move to a different one.
Occupational therapists work with individuals and with groups, in public health and social care services. They may also be involved in supporting asylum seekers, refugees and homeless people.
Healthcare legislation and the quality standards of healthcare practice apply to everything they do. Interacting with healthcare users is an important skill, because therapy aims to let people do the things that matter to them. Knowledge of how the human body works and recovers is where training for this occupation begins.
Do You Have the Skills for This Role?
Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.
Must-Have Skills (Advanced)
Customer OrientationAdvanced
Supporting Skills
Creative ThinkingIntermediate
CommunicationIntermediate
CollaborationIntermediate
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (65)
hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.occupational physiologyoccupational physiologyThe complex physiology of specific jobs and its relation to disorders and medical conditions and the way to optimize health, work ability, and productivity.medical terminologymedical terminologyThe meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.orthopaedicsorthopaedicsOrthopaedics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.health care occupation-specific ethicshealth care occupation-specific ethicsThe moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patie...community-based rehabilitationcommunity-based rehabilitationThe method of rehabilitation which involves the creation of social programs for the impaired or disabled persons to allow them integration into the community.supervision of personssupervision of personsThe act of directing one individual or a group of individuals in a certain activity.general medicinegeneral medicineGeneral medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.occupational therapy theoriesoccupational therapy theoriesThe fundamental theories that underlie occupational therapy practice, occupation-based models, and frames of reference used in this context.'.human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.geriatricsgeriatricsGeriatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.neurologyneurologyNeurology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.vocational rehabilitationvocational rehabilitationThe rehabilitation process of persons with functional, psychological, developmental, cognitive and emotional impairments or health disabilities to overcome barriers to accessing, maintaining or return...paediatricspaediatricsPaediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.sociologysociologyThe group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...physical medicinephysical medicineThe diagnosis and treatment methods applied to individuals with physical impairments or disabilities in order to help them restore their body functions lost because of medical injuries or medical dise...occupational scienceoccupational scienceThe study of everyday activity including the behaviours, characteristics, and patterns of behaviour and productivity.medical informaticsmedical informaticsThe processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.psychologypsychologyThe human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.occupational healthoccupational healthThe subfield of study of public health that focus on improving the wellbeing of individuals in the workplace for all the occupational profiles. It is concerned with health and safety in the workplace ...pathologypathologyThe components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.movement techniquesmovement techniquesThe various types of movement and physical postures undertaken for relaxation, body-mind integration, stress reduction, flexibility, core support and rehabilitation purposes, and that are required for...psychiatrypsychiatryPsychiatry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.ergonomicsergonomicsThe science of designing systems, processes and products that complement the strengths of people so that they can use them easily and safely.develop a rehabilitation programmedevelop a rehabilitation programmeDevelop a rehabilitation programme to help patients rebuild their skills and restore their confidence.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...provide assistive technologyprovide assistive technologyProvide persons with assistive technology to enable them to perform activities more functionally.record healthcare users' progress related to treatmentrecord healthcare users' progress related to treatmentRecord the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.monitor patients' progress related to treatmentmonitor patients' progress related to treatmentObserve and report on healthcare users' response to medical treatment, monitoring their progress or decay on a daily basis and modifying the treatment procedures whenever necessary.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.provide nursing advice on healthcareprovide nursing advice on healthcareGive advice to, instruct and support persons needing nursing care and their attachment figures.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.use computer programs to improve patients' skillsuse computer programs to improve patients' skillsUse specialised computer programs to help patients improve skills they use in their daily lives, working on decision-making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination, problem-solving, and ...assist healthcare users achieve autonomyassist healthcare users achieve autonomyAssist healthcare users to achieve autonomy.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.undertake healthcare examinationundertake healthcare examinationAssess the healthcare user's physical state, taking detailed information on previous injuries, surgery, general health, resources and lifestyle into account.encourage healthcare user's self-monitoringencourage healthcare user's self-monitoringEncourage the healthcare user to engage in self-monitoring by conducting situational and developmental analyses on him- or herself. Assist the healthcare user to develop a degree of self-critique and ...provide stroke rehabilitation servicesprovide stroke rehabilitation servicesProvide services to patients who have suffered from stroke, helping them relearn skills that are lost when part of the brain is damaged.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.apply techniques of occupational therapyapply techniques of occupational therapyApply occupational therapy techniques, such as retraining, and splinting in the rehabilitation and recovery of patients, and advising patients on their daily activities.create individual treatment programmescreate individual treatment programmesDevelop treatment programmes to suit each individual patient, helping patients achieve more independence and confidence in their daily lives.perform occupation analysesperform occupation analysesPerform an occupation analysis with regard to how an activity is experienced by an individual, taking into account the influences on performance.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.instruct on the use of special equipment for daily activitiesinstruct on the use of special equipment for daily activitiesInstruct on how to use specialised equipment such as wheelchairs and eating aids in their daily activities.advise on environmental alterationsadvise on environmental alterationsAdvise on environmental alterations in the home and workplace to accommodate patients, such as wheelchair accessibility.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.identify the healthcare user’s personal capacityidentify the healthcare user’s personal capacityIdentify the healthcare user's personal capacity to act in all spheres of life taking account of environmental factors with regard to the social, cultural, physical and institutional setting, identify...promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.advise healthcare users on occupational healthadvise healthcare users on occupational healthIdentify meaningful and healthy occupations and strategies in partnership with the healthcare user, to enable him to reach his goals.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...assess risks for the elderlyassess risks for the elderlyVisit the patient`s home to identify environmental factors that contribute to falls or other injuries of the elderly present.develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...use techniques to increase patients' motivationuse techniques to increase patients' motivationEncourage the patient`s motivation to change and promote the belief that therapy can help, using techniques and treatment engagement procedures for this purpose.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.remediate healthcare user's occupational performanceremediate healthcare user's occupational performanceRemediate or restore the cognitive, sensorimotor, or psychosocial components of the healthcare user`s occupational performance.
Optional (17) — show
bobath therapybobath therapyThe therapy used to help children and adults after stroke who have movement disorders (cerebral palsy) to improve their ability to move and develop their (lost) skills.psychotherapy principlespsychotherapy principlesThe fundamental principles and methods applied in psychotherapy to explore and resolve distressing behaviour or feelings.public healthpublic healthThe principles of health and sickness affecting the population, including the means for health promotion and prevention and community and primary care.mechanotherapymechanotherapyThe medical treatments provided by manual means such as massage or other types of mechanical devices.pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.neuropsychologyneuropsychologyThe way in which psychological processes affect the human brain, its structure and functioning mode.disorders affecting self-awarenessdisorders affecting self-awarenessThe consciousness process related to various medical disorders and illnesses and its manifestation and treatment options.osteopathyosteopathyThe type of alternative medicine which manipulates the body`s muscle tissues, joints and bones.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.use clinical assessment techniquesuse clinical assessment techniquesUse clinical reasoning techniques and clinical judgement when applying a range of appropriate assessment techniques, such as mental status assessment, diagnosis, dynamic formulation, and potential tre...assist in performing physical exercisesassist in performing physical exercisesPrescribe and assist physical exercises to help increase strength and dexterity.provide early intervention therapy to infantsprovide early intervention therapy to infantsIdentify infants and toddlers who suffer from developmental delays, or are at risk, and provide early intervention therapy.identify research topicsidentify research topicsDetermine issues on social, economic or political level in order to explore them and to do research on them.assist children with special needs in education settingsassist children with special needs in education settingsAssist children with special needs, identifying their needs, modifying classroom equipment to accommodate them and helping them participate in school activities.manage occupational therapy studentsmanage occupational therapy studentsSupervise and manage the work of occupational therapy students, students from related professions and assistants.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
speech and language therapist36 shared essential skillsphysiotherapist33 shared essential skillsorthoptist32 shared essential skillsnurse responsible for general care31 shared essential skillsdietitian30 shared essential skillsspecialist chiropractor29 shared essential skillsmusic therapist28 shared essential skillsaudiologist25 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does an occupational therapist do?
Occupational therapists assist individuals or groups who have occupational limitations due to diseases, physical disorders, and temporary or permanent mental disabilities, in regaining their ability to perform daily activities. They provide treatment and rehabilitation to enable them to actively participate in society, to live their lives according to their wishes and to perform those activities that are meaningful to them. Occupational therapists work in public health and social care services, but can also be involved in supporting asylum seekers, refugees and/or homeless people.
What skills does an occupational therapist need?
An occupational therapist needs 65 essential skills, including hygiene in a health care setting, health care legislation, occupational physiology, medical terminology, orthopaedics.
Will AI replace occupational therapist jobs?
The AI disruption score for occupational therapist is 10/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: medical terminology, manage healthcare users' data, comply with legislation related to health care. Most resilient: empathise with the healthcare user, deal with emergency care situations, develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship.
AI Replacement Risk
10/ 100
Very Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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