Areas of Practice for Occupational Therapists
The scope of occupational therapy practice is large, with occupational therapists working in a variety of settings. These settings can include:
- Community agencies
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Rehabilitation centres
- Clinics
- Schools
- Social agencies
- Businesses
- Insurance companies
- Construction or architectural firms
- Independent practice
Some occupational therapists may specialize in working with a specific age group such as newborn babies, school-aged children or the elderly. Others specialize in a specific health condition or disability, such as spinal cord injuries, mental illness, or rheumatoid arthritis. They may work with individuals, groups of individuals and/or communities. Many also work as part of a larger, multidisciplinary health-care team, collaborating with other professionals to develop comprehensive care plans.
Whether they are providing consultation or delivering hands-on direct care, occupational therapists are hard at work every day in Manitoba, enabling ability and assisting to improve the overall health and well-being of people’s lives.
Rehabilitation Assistants
Rehabilitation assistants work with occupational therapists and other rehabilitation professionals. For information on rehabilitation assistant training and opportunities, visit the Winnipeg Technical College website at http://www.wtc.mb.ca/index.cfm?pageID=72.