Career path
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists help people do the everyday activities that matter to them — getting dressed, working, cooking, caring for themselves — when illness, injury, disability, or ageing gets in the way. It's practical, creative, deeply person-centred work focused on independence and quality of life.
What the job actually is
Occupational therapists assess what a person needs to do day to day, then remove or work around the barriers. That can mean rehabilitation exercises, recommending adaptations and equipment, teaching new techniques, or adjusting a home or workplace. The focus is always on the activities — the "occupations" — that make up someone's life, not just the underlying condition. Settings span hospitals, the community, schools, and workplaces.
Skills that matter
- Clinical and practical knowledge earned through accredited training and registration.
- Creative problem-solving — every solution is tailored to the person and their goals.
- Empathy and listening — you start from what matters to the individual.
- Communication — with patients, families, and a wider care team.
- Patience and adaptability across very different people and settings.
How to switch in
Like other clinical roles, occupational therapy requires a recognised qualification and registration, so expect a multi-year commitment. Accelerated and graduate-entry routes exist for degree-holders changing career. People from healthcare, social care, teaching, or psychology backgrounds often find their experience transfers well. If you like practical problem-solving and want work that visibly improves people's daily lives, it's a meaningful and steady path.
Frequently asked questions
How is occupational therapy different from physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy focuses mainly on movement and physical function. Occupational therapy focuses on enabling the everyday activities a person needs and wants to do — which may involve adapting tasks, environments, or equipment as much as the body itself. They often work side by side.