http://www.bls.gov/search/ooh.asp?ct=OOH 原網址
                                                                                
                                                                                
Occupational Therapists
職能治療師
                                                                                
Significant Points
                                                                                
◎Employment is projected to increase much faster than the average, as rapid
  growth in the number of middle-aged and elderly individuals increases the
  demand for therapeutic services.
  因為中年與老年人數量增加而產生的治療服務需求，可預期工作機會比其他工作增加
  的速度會快許多
                                                                                
◎Beginning in 2007, a master's degree or higher in occupational therapy will
  be the minimum educational requirement.
  在2007年，碩士學位會變成最低的教育背景要求
                                                                                
◎Occupational therapists are increasingly taking on supervisory roles,
  allowing assistants and aides to work more closely with clients under the
  guidance of a therapist, in an effort to reduce the cost of therapy.
  職能治療師會逐漸增加監督者的角色，以允治療助理與治療生能在治療師的指示下
  予個案做更密切的介入，以在治療成本的降低上達成效益

◎More than a quarter of occupational therapists work part time.
  超過四分之一的治療師會以兼職的方式工作
                                                                                
                                                                                
Nature of the Work
工作的本質
                                                                                
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people improve their ability to perform
tasks in their daily living and working environments. They work with
individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally
, or emotionally disabling. They also help them to develop, recover, or
maintain daily living and work skills. Occupational therapists help clients
not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but
also to compensate for permanent loss of function. Their goal is to help
clients have independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
職能治療師主要是以協助人們促進他們在日常生活與工作表現上的能力，治療師的對象
通常會在心理上、生理上、發展上或是情緒上有失能的狀況，治療師協助他們發展、恢
復或是維持現有的日常生活與工作的技巧，職能治療師不只是協助個案促進其基本的動
作功能和應有的能力，同時也協助他們運用代償的方式來處理可能永遠喪失的能力，治
療師的目標是在於協助個案能夠擁有獨立、有生產性與滿意的生活

Occupational therapists assist clients in performing activities of all types,
ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing,
cooking, and eating. Physical exercises may be used to increase strength and
dexterity, while other activities may be chosen to improve visual acuity and
the ability to discern patterns. For example, a client with short-term memory
loss might be encouraged to make lists to aid recall, and a person with
coordination problems might be assigned exercises to improve hand-eye
coordination. Occupational therapists also use computer programs to help
clients improve decisionmaking, abstract-reasoning, problem-solving, and
perceptual skills, as well as memory, sequencing, and coordination—all of
which are important for independent living.
職能治療師在各種的活動上提供個案協助，包含了從電腦的使用到日常需要（像是穿衣
、烹煮、與進食），運動能用以增加個案的肌肉強度與靈巧度，也有些能用以促進視覺
的精確度與能夠覺察週遭環境的能力，舉例來說，一位在短期記憶力有喪失的個案，可
能會被鼓勵用條列記下的方式來協助記憶，而一位有協調問題的個案，可能會要求做一
些能夠促進手眼協調的活動，職能治療師也會使用電腦程式來協助個案增進決斷、抽象
理解、問題解決與知覺的技巧，比如記憶力、排序能力與協調能力－這些對於獨立生活
而言是重要的能力
                                                                                
Therapists instruct those with permanent disabilities, such as spinal cord
injuries, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy, in the use of adaptive
equipment, including wheelchairs, orthotics, and aids for eating and dressing.
They also design or make special equipment needed at home or at work.
Therapists develop computer-aided adaptive equipment and teach clients with
severe limitations how to use that equipment in order to communicate better
and control various aspects of their environment.
治療師藉由使用輔具來指導部分有殘障的個案，像是脊髓損傷、腦性麻痺或肌肉張力失
調等，包括了有輪椅、義肢裝具與生活（吃、穿）的輔助用具，另外也設計針對在家或
是工作需要的特殊輔具，此外也發展電腦輔具，與教會有嚴重能力限制的個案使用這些
輔具以達到更好的溝通與掌控生活環境的各個層面
                                                                                
Some occupational therapists treat individuals whose ability to function in a
work environment has been impaired. These practitioners arrange employment,
evaluate the work environment, plan work activities, and assess the client's
progress. Therapists also may collaborate with the client and the employer to
modify the work environment so that the work can be successfully completed.
部分職能治療師服務因為部分失能造成工作上障礙的個案，這些治療師協助個案安排工
作，評估工作環境，設計工作的內容，以及測量個案的進步，治療師也會協調個案與雇
主以調整職場與職務，讓個案能夠成功的達成工作的要求
                                                                                
Occupational therapists may work exclusively with individuals in a particular
age group or with particular disabilities. In schools, for example, they
evaluate children's abilities, recommend and provide therapy, modify classroom
equipment, and help children participate as fully as possible in school
programs and activities. A therapist may work with children individually, lead
small groups in the classroom, consult with a teacher, or serve on a
curriculum or other administrative committee. Early intervention therapy
services are provided to infants and toddlers who have, or at the risking of
having, developmental delays. Specific therapies may include facilitating the
use of the hands, promoting skills for listening and following directions,
fostering social play skills, or teaching dressing and grooming skills.
職能治療師的服務對象包含了各年紀與各種失能的個案，舉例來說，在學校系統中，治
療師評估孩童的能力，建議並提供治療，調整教室的硬體，以幫助孩童能夠更完整的參
與校園活動，治療師也可能特別針對孩童進行教室內的小型團體活動，與老師討論孩童
狀況，或是在課程或行政會議中提供服務，早期療育提供了發展遲緩或有此風險的嬰兒
與幼童服務，特殊的治療項目包或了有促進雙手的使用，聆聽與遵循指示的技巧，（未
完待續）
                                                                                
Occupational therapy also is beneficial to the elderly population. Therapists
help the elderly lead more productive, active, and independent lives through a
variety of methods, including the use of adaptive equipment. Therapists with
specialized training in driver rehabilitation assess an individual's ability
to drive using both clinical and on-the-road tests. The evaluations allow the
therapist to make recommendations for adaptive equipment, training to prolong
driving independence, and alternative transportation options. Occupational
therapists also work with the client to asses the home for hazards and to
identify environmental factors that contribute to falls.
                                                                                
Occupational therapists in mental health settings treat individuals who are
mentally ill, mentally retarded, or emotionally disturbed. To treat these
problems, therapists choose activities that help people learn to engage in
and cope with daily life. Activities include time management skills, budgeting
, shopping, homemaking, and the use of public transportation. Occupational
therapists also may work with individuals who are dealing with alcoholism,
drug abuse, depression, eating disorders, or stress-related disorders.

Assessing and recording a client's activities and progress is an important
part of an occupational therapist's job. Accurate records are essential for
evaluating clients, for billing, and for reporting to physicians and other
health care providers.
                                                                                
                                                                                
Working Conditions
                                                                                
Occupational therapists in hospitals and other health care and community
settings usually work a 40-hour week. Those in schools may participate in
meetings and other activities during and after the school day. In 2004, more
than a quarter of occupational therapists worked part time.
                                                                                
In large rehabilitation centers, therapists may work in spacious rooms
equipped with machines, tools, and other devices generating noise. The work
can be tiring, because therapists are on their feet much of the time. Those
providing home health care services may spend time driving from appointment
to appointment. Therapists also face hazards such as back strain from lifting
and moving clients and equipment.
                                                                                
Therapists increasingly are taking on supervisory roles. Because of rising
health care costs, third-party payers are beginning to encourage occupational
therapist assistants and aides to take more hands-on responsibility. By having
assistants and aides work more closely with clients under the guidance of a
therapist, the cost of therapy should decline.
                                                                                
                                                                                
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
                                                                                
Currently, a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy is the minimum
requirement for entry into the field. Beginning in 2007, however, a master's
degree or higher will be the minimum educational requirement. As a result,
students in bachelor's-level programs must complete their coursework and
fieldwork before 2007. All States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the District of
Columbia regulate the practice of occupational therapy. To obtain a license,
applicants must graduate from an accredited educational program and pass a
national certification examination. Those who pass the exam are awarded the
title "Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR)." Some States have additional
requirements for therapists who work in schools or early intervention programs.
                                                                                
In 2005, 122 master's degree programs offered entry-level education, 65
programs offered a combined bachelor's and master's degree, and 5 offered an
entry-level doctoral degree. Most schools have full-time programs, although a
growing number are offering weekend or part-time programs as well. Bachelor's
degree programs in occupational therapy are no longer offered because of the
requirement for a master's degree or higher beginning in 2007. In addition,
post baccalaureate certificate programs for students with a degree other than
occupational therapy are no longer offered.
                                                                                
Occupational therapy coursework includes the physical, biological, and
behavioral sciences and the application of occupational therapy theory and
skills. The completion of 6 months of supervised fieldwork also is required.
                                                                                
Persons considering this profession should take high school courses in biology
, chemistry, physics, health, art, and the social sciences. College admissions
offices also look favorably at paid or volunteer experience in the health care
field. Relevant undergraduate majors include biology, psychology, sociology,
anthropology, liberal arts, and anatomy.
                                                                                
Occupational therapists need patience and strong interpersonal skills to
inspire trust and respect in their clients. Patience is necessary because
many clients may not show rapid improvement. Ingenuity and imagination in
adapting activities to individual needs are assets. Those working in home
health care services must be able to adapt to a variety of settings.
                                                                                
                                                                                
Employment
Occupational therapists held about 92,000 jobs in 2004. About 1 in 10
occupational therapists held more than one job. The largest number of jobs
were in hospitals. Other major employers were offices of other health
practitioners (including offices of occupational therapists), public and
private educational services, and nursing care facilities. Some occupational
therapists were employed by home health care services, outpatient care centers
, offices of physicians, individual and family services, community care
facilities for the elderly, and government agencies.
                                                                                
A small number of occupational therapists were self-employed in private
practice. These practitioners saw clients referred by physicians or other
health professionals or provided contract or consulting services to nursing
care facilities, schools, adult day care programs, and home health care
agencies.
                                                                                
                                                                                
Job Outlook
                                                                                
Employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase much faster than
the average for all occupations through 2014. The impact of proposed Federal
legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services may
adversely affect the job market for occupational therapists in the short run.
However, over the long run, the demand for occupational therapists should
continue to rise as a result of growth in the number of individuals with
disabilities or limited function who require therapy services. The baby-boom
generation's movement into middle age, a period when the incidence of heart
attack and stroke increases, will spur demand for therapeutic services. Growth
in the population 75 years and older—an age group that suffers from high
incidences of disabling conditions—also will increase demand for therapeutic
services. Driver rehabilitation and fall-prevention training for the elderly
are emerging practice areas for occupational therapy. In addition, medical
advances now enable more patients with critical problems to survive—patients
who ultimately may need extensive therapy.
                                                                                
Hospitals will continue to employ a large number of occupational therapists to
provide therapy services to acutely ill inpatients. Hospitals also will need
occupational therapists to staff their outpatient rehabilitation programs.
                                                                                
Employment growth in schools will result from the expansion of the school-age
population, the extension of services for disabled students, and an increasing
prevalence of sensory disorders in children. Therapists will be needed to help
children with disabilities prepare to enter special education programs.
                                                                                
                                                                                
Earnings

Median annual earnings of occupational therapists were $54,660 in May 2004.
The middle 50 percent earned between $45,690 and $67,010. The lowest 10
percent earned less than $37,430, and the highest 10 percent earned more than
$81,600. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest
numbers of occupational therapists in May 2004 were:
                                                                                
    Home health care services               $58,720
    Offices of other health practitioners    56,620
    Nursing care facilities                  56,570
    General medical and surgical hospitals   55,710
    Elementary and secondary schools         48,580
                                                                                
                                                                                
Sources of Additional Information
                                                                                
Disclaimer: Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience
            and do not constitute an endorsement.
                                                                                
For more information on occupational therapy as a career, contact:
                                                                                
    American Occupational Therapy Association, 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda,
    MD 20824-1220. Internet: http://www.aota.org

For information regarding the requirements to practice as an occupational
therapist in schools, contact the appropriate occupational therapy regulatory
agency for your State.

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