Occupational Therapists

As of June 26, 2010 Canada is no longer doing priority processing of Occupational Therapists.

If you are a professional in this catagory you will have to immigrate using an alternative route. Please complete an assessment.

Occupational therapists develop individual and group programs with people affected by illness, injury, developmental disorders, emotional or psychological problems and ageing to maintain, restore or increase their ability to care for themselves and to engage in work, school or leisure. They also develop and implement health promotion programs with individuals, community groups and employers. They are employed in health care facilities, in schools, and by private and social services agencies, or they may be self-employed.

Example Titles

clinical occupational therapist, community occupational therapist, occupational therapist (OT), occupational therapist rehabilitation consultant, occupational therapist- case manager, occupational therapist- research and development

Main duties

Occupational therapists perform some or all of the following duties:

Analyse clients' capabilities and expectations related to life activities through observation, interviews and formal assessments
Develop intervention programs to address clients' needs related to self-care, work and leisure activities
Maintain clients' records
Establish personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
Consult and advise on health promotion programs to prevent disabilities and to maximize independent function in all activities of life
May supervise support personnel and students and provide training.
Occupational therapists may specialize in working with specific populations such as children or adults, or persons with distinct problems such as dementia, traumatic brain injury and chronic pain, or provide special interventions such as return-to-work programs.