This week, we look at the career of occupational therapy. Khanyisile Ntuli has been an occupational therapist for the past five years.
“Throughout my life, I always had a strong passion for enhancing the well-being of others across various aspects of their lives. Although I didn’t fully comprehend the profession when I started, my passion grew stronger as I progressed in my studies.
“What I cherish most about my role is the privilege of making a meaningful impact on people’s lives. I find fulfilment in restoring hope, empowering individuals to reclaim their quality of life, and helping them overcome the challenges posed by illness, injury or disability,” said Ntuli.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession focused on helping people of all ages attain optimal independence in daily activities that are meaningful to them. These activities can include essential self-care like dressing and grooming, work, school, social engagement and leisure activities.
The goal is to empower people with physical or mental disabilities, injury or illness to fully participate in the activities of daily living and enhance their quality of life.
What are an occupational therapist’s duties and responsibilities?
The duties and responsibilities can vary significantly based on the setting and the unique needs of each individual. However, the core foundation of the services provided includes:
• The evaluation of individual needs.
• Implementing interventions and applying outcome measures to monitor progress.
• Assessing the effectiveness of the given treatment.
Occupational therapists play a vital role in doing holistic assessments to understand how an illness, injury or disability affects an individual’s ability to engage in daily activities. We collaborate closely with clients to establish achievable meaningful and realistic functional goals.
Additionally, we are instrumental in skills development, modifying tasks or environments and providing assistive devices to promote independence.
Khanyisile Ntuli has been an occupational therapist for five years.
Are there different types of occupational therapists?
One might work in various areas of occupational therapy, and institutions offer different occupational therapy services. Depending on the setting and institution, develop a special interest because we work with people of various ages and conditions in various settings and institutions. These areas include:
Pediatrics: Supporting children in developing skills for daily activities.
Geriatrics: Helping the elderly maintain independence and quality of life.
Physical rehabilitation: Assisting individuals in recovering from injuries or surgeries affecting physical abilities.
Mental health rehabilitation: Helping people with mental health conditions to engage in meaningful activities and cope effectively.
Vocational rehabilitation: Supporting individuals returning to work after illness or injury, including doing functional capacity evaluations to assess work readiness and provide recommendations.
Medico-legal: Doing functional capacity evaluations to assess the impact of injury or disability on daily functioning and offering recommendations for rehabilitation and compensation.
What high school subjects do I need to become an occupational therapist?
• English.
• Mathematics.
• Physical sciences.
With a minimum admission points score of 30, excluding life orientation.
How long does it take?
As a full-time student, the course takes four years to complete.
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Where can I study to become an occupational therapist?
These institutions offer the course:
• University of Pretoria.
• University of Cape Town.
• University of the Witwatersrand.
• University of Free State.
• Stellenbosch University.
• University of KwaZulu Natal.
• Sefako Makgatho University.
Where do occupational therapists work?
They can work in various settings in the private and government sectors. These settings can include:
• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation units
• Schools and insurance companies.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to be an occupational therapist?
My advice is to thoroughly research the field and ask plenty of questions to ensure you have a deep understanding of what to expect.
I recommend gaining hands-on insight by shadowing occupational therapists at a hospital, where you can see first-hand the daily responsibilities and challenges of a qualified occupational therapist.
Additionally, leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with experienced occupational therapists and ask informed questions, further solidifying your understanding of this rewarding profession.
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