Occupational therapists assist individuals or groups who have occupational limitations due to diseases, physical disorders, and temporary or permanent mental disabilities, in regaining their ability to perform daily activities. They provide treatment and rehabilitation to enable them to actively participate in society, to live their lives according to their wishes and to perform those activities that are meaningful to them. Occupational therapists work in public health and social care services, but can also be involved in supporting asylum seekers, refugees and/or homeless people.

Tasks

In such cases tasks would include -
(a) Interviewing patients and conducting diagnostic tests to determine their health status, functional limitations, and the nature of physical or mental disorders, illnesses or other health problems;
(b) Developing and implementing treatment plans for injuries, illnesses and other physical and mental impairments;
(c) Evaluating and documenting patients' progress through treatment plans, and referring patients and families to medical doctors or other health care providers for specialized, rehabilitative or other care services as needed;
(d) Administering therapeutic care and treatment to patients, including through application of manual and physical chiropractic and osteopathic techniques;
(e) Recommending environmental adaptations in the home, leisure, work and school environments on an individual or group basis to enable individuals with functional limitations to perform their daily activities and occupations;
(f) Planning and implementing therapeutic programmes on an individual and group basis for improving and maintaining physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning, including through the use of arts and crafts, dance and movement, music and other recreational activities;
(g) Identifying and prescribing treatments for conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg due to illness, disease or other physical impairment, and prescribing corrective footwear and advising on foot care to manage foot ailments;
(h) Performing minor surgical procedures such as on the foot and ankles.