Occupational therapist

BC Public Service occupational therapists treat injured, ill or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help patients develop, recover and improve the skills they need for daily living and working.

Occupational therapists may:

• Observe patients doing tasks, ask them questions, and review their medical history
• Evaluate a patient's condition and needs
• Develop a treatment plan for patients, laying out the types of activities and specific goals to be accomplished
• Help people with various disabilities with different tasks, such as leading an autistic child in play activities
• Demonstrate exercises (for example, joint stretches for arthritis relief) that can help relieve pain for people with chronic conditions
• Evaluate a patient’s home or workplace and, based on the patient’s health needs, identify potential improvements, such as labeling kitchen cabinets for an older person with poor memory
• Educate a patient’s family and employer about how to accommodate and care for the patient
• Recommend special equipment, such as wheelchairs and eating aids, and instruct patients on how to use that equipment
• Assess and record patients’ activities and progress for patient evaluations, for billing, and for reporting to physicians and other healthcare providers

Resources

• BCGEU collective agreements

Benchmark jobs

Occupational therapist 24

• Occupational therapist (PDF, 103KB)
• Occupational therapist (community) (PDF, 106KB)

Occupational therapist 27

• Occupational therapy supervisor (PDF, 117KB)