Career in Occupational Therapy. Know Its eligibility, scope and institutes where Occupational Therapy course are Offered
Introduction :

What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is an allied health science, which
involves helping people with physical or mental disorders/disabilities to attain maximum level of functioning. Occupational
therapists enable patients/subjects achieve this through a variety of purposeful and adaptive occupations (i.e. tasks or activities).
A career in occupational therapy involves helping people with physical or mental disabilities to achieve good level of functioning and independence in all aspects of their daily routines. This therapy is skillful treatment.
Occupational therapists are in high demand all over the country and the world. Job opportunities in occupational therapy are available in various sectors. One can work with other medical specialties in hospitals, polyclinics, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric institutions, special schools, community mental health centers, residential care facilities, adult daycare programs, sports teams etc. Jobs in occupational therapy can be found in companies and architectural arenas for ergonomic consultations for higher accessibility by the disabled. In schools, the occupational therapists evaluate the abilities of children and recommend the therapy. The therapists help the senior citizens to lead more active, independent and productive lives.
Courses Offered :
- B. Sc. Occupational Therapy
- Diploma in Occupational Therapy
Eligibility for Occupational Therapy Courses :
Entry to the occupational therapy course is after 10+2 with PCB (physics, chemistry and biology). Some institutions may select candidates on the basis of performance in the entrance test.
Desired skills required for Occupational Therapist :
- Good diagnostic abilities – a therapist has to have complete knowledge of the disorder that his or her patient is suffering from to offer the right treatment
- Strong inter-personal skills
- Ability to communicate well with patients of all ages
- An occupational therapist needs oodles of patience as many take a long time to respond
Scope of Occupational Therapy Courses :
Therapists are in highly demand these days specially in the fitness and medical sector. Occupational therapies work with the variety of disorders of the patient such as neurological, orthopedic and psychiatric or psychological conditions. Occupational therapists do their own practice or work with other specialists in hospitals, polyclinics, special schools, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric institutions, adult day care programs, community mental health centers, sports teams, and residential care facilities etc.
Occupational therapists may work exclusively with individuals in a particular age group or with particular disability/disorder. To treat these problems, therapists choose activities that help people learn to cope with daily life. Activities include time management skills, homemaking, budgeting, shopping and use of public transportation.
List of Top Colleges offering Occupational Therapy Course:
- The Institute For the Physically Handicapped, 4, Vishnu Digamber Marg, New Delhi:110002
- All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hazi Ali Park, K.Khadye Marg, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai-400034
- Christian Medical College, Thorapudi P.O, Vellore-632002
- College of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal-576119
- G.S. Seth Medical College, Parel, Mumbai 400012
- Govt. Medical College, Chennai
- K.M.C.H. College Of Occupational Therapy, Avinshi Road, Coimbatore 641014
- L.T. College, Sion, Mumbai 400022
- National Institute For the Orthopedically Handicapped, B.T. Road, Bon-Hooghly, Kolkatta-700090
- National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (NIRTAR), Olatpur, P.O.Bairoi, Cuttack-754010
- Occupation Therapy Training School, Sir DB. Orthopedic Centre, Mumbai-400012
- S.M.S. Hospital, Jaipur 302004,(Tamil Nadu)
- S.R.M. Institute of Medical Science and Research, Ashok Nagar, Chennai-600033
- Santosh College of Occupational Therapy, Chennai-600090
- Santosh World Medical Academy, No.1, Santosh Nagar, Pratap Vihar, Ghaziabad-201009, (Uttar Pradesh)
- SSJ Engineering College , Hyderabad
- Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) : Schools and Research Centers, Kochi (Ernakulam Dist.) Kerala – 682041
- Chakradhara Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Plot No-F-10, BJB Nagar, Near Rajrani Petrol Pump, Lewis Road , Bhubaneshwar (Khurda Dist.) – 751014
- Christian Medical College, Vellore (Tamil Nadu)
- Patna Medical College Hospital, Patna-800004