Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
Tomas Flanagan, Occupational Therapist
Tomás Flanagan is an Occupational Therapist working for St Michael's House. Following his Leaving Certificate, he studied Occupational Therapy in Trinity College Dublin where he found the educational placements of particular relevance. Following graduation he got an opportunity to work with children with Autism for a year which was very challenging but offered a great learning experience.
Videos on the Web
- Occupational Therapist- from: Youtube Search
- Occupational Therapist- from: icould [UK] Video
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
Working Life
In the HSE Occupational Therapists are part of a clinical workforce called Health & Social Care Professionals, who work together with medical and nursing colleagues as a team in the delivery of clinical, therapeutic and social care.
They help people to do the everyday things they want to do and need to do when faced with illness, disability or changing life events.
They work with people who are physically or mentally disabled. They help their clients to maximise their independence at home and in their working and social lives.
First, clients are assessed using various physical, psychological, perceptual or cognitive tests. This provides the Occupational Therapist with an understanding of the client's capabilities and potential.
The Occupational Therapist builds up a general picture of the client's needs by consulting other professionals, such as physiotherapists and social workers. They also have access to the doctor's report.
Then the Occupational Therapist and the client decide together which skills are needed in order to maximise independence. These needs are determined by the client's condition and anticipated lifestyle. For instance, physically impaired clients may need help in strengthening muscles, co-ordinating movements and improving stamina.
If someone has had an accident, they may need to re-learn basic 'living skills' (e.g. washing, cooking). Occupational Therapists help people return to work as well, by training them in simulated work situations to improve their confidence, for example.
Occupational Therapists often visit people in their homes, to advise on alterations that will make independent living easier and more comfortable. For example, the adjustment of toilet seats or work surfaces may enable elderly people to live at home safely. Occupational Therapists will also arrange for extra support for clients (e.g. home help services).
People with mental health problems are often supported by an Occupational Therapist in their own home. They may need therapy for anxiety or depression, which prevents them from going out to work. The Occupational Therapist builds up their self-confidence by improving their social and coping skills.
This may be done by practising work-related skills or through assertiveness training. Communication skills may be developed through activities such as group discussion or working on the preparation of a meal with other clients.
Where Will I Work?
As an Occupational Therapist, you provide autonomous and collaborative care for individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, in all care settings. You may work with individual clients or with groups. You could work in a hospital, community service, disability service, people's own home, mental health service, care home or rehabilitation centres.
Occupational Therapists develop specialised expertise in areas such as physical rehabilitation, mental health, intellectual disability, paediatrics or services for the elderly.
The HSE is the biggest employer in Ireland for this occupation. Further information from the HSE on the duties and skills for this occupation can be found here. Some Occupational Therapists work in private practice or other healthcare settings.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyse medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
- Complete and maintain necessary records.
- Plan, organise, and conduct occupational therapy programmes in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate those impaired because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
- Plan and implement programmes and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps.
- Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.
- Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
- Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.
- Lay out materials such as pussles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions.
- Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programmes or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
- Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, such as splints, braces, and computer-aided adaptive equipment.
Further Information
- Occupational Therapist- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Occupational therapist- from: GradIreland
Qualities - Occupational Therapist
You will need good powers of observation, to ensure that assessments and monitoring are precise. You will also need to be practical and resourceful in devising individual programmes.
To ensure that clients follow a programme that may seem difficult and tiresome, you will need the ability to inspire confidence, to encourage and persuade. This is slow work and results do not come easily or quickly, so you must have great patience.
Sensitivity is essential in work with patients who may be anxious or nervous. You will also need to be cheerful, as people may be depressed because of their condition.
Should you consider such a career, you are advised to visit an Occupational Therapy department. The work is demanding so persons considering applying for training should be emotionally stable, physically fit and academically able.
Interests - Occupational Therapist
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Entry / Progression - Occupational Therapist
CORU Requirements
There are a variety of study routes for students wishing to pursue a career in the health and social care professions. However, not all courses lead to the direct path of being able to practise in Ireland once qualified. In Ireland, if you want to practise as a Occupational Therapist, you must be registered with CORU, - Ireland's regulator of health and social care professionals.
One of the functions of the Registration Boards at CORU is to approve and monitor education and training programmes. The purpose of regulating education and training programmes is to ensure that all graduates entering the Register meet the necessary standards and have the knowledge and skills required for public protection. This ensures the delivery of safe and effective practise to the benefit of the service user.
What does this mean when selecting a course to study in Ireland?
This is the current list of Approved Qualifications to work as a Occupational Therapist. If you achieve one of these qualifications, you are eligible to apply for CORU registration.
What about studying abroad, and practising in Ireland once qualified?
If your professional qualification is awarded outside of Ireland and you want to register and work in Ireland, the process is a little more complex. You must first apply to have that qualification recognised by the Registration Board for your profession.
To be eligible to apply for recognition of your international qualification, you must have completed professional training, which gives you eligibility to practise your profession in the country where you were awarded the qualification.
The Registration Board will assess your qualification as well as any other relevant qualifications and work experience for compliance with the standards required for practising in Ireland.
If you are unsure about health and social care regulation, CORU is happy to help with any questions. You can contact CORU at [email protected]
There are multiple entry routes to the Occupational Therapy profession:
- Undergraduate BSc Occupational Therapy Honour's Degree
- NFQ Level 8 course plus MSc Occupational Therapy university degree
Occupational Therapists are required to be registered with CORU, the regulatory body for Health and Social Care Professionals.
Click here for Information on Approved Qualifications and Registration with CORU.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: occupational therapy.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: occupational therapy, health science with occupational therapy studies.
Search for PLC Courses
If you are in a PLC course or considering taking one, you can check to see if there is a progression pathway to courses in the CAO system. The following link will list all PLC courses that are related to the Healthcare sector in Ireland. Use the filters on that page to narrow your search as required.
Search Progression Routes
Note: Courses completed at PLC/FET level require specific FETAC awards and modules to meet minimum entry requirements to apply via CAO for a place under the HELS Higher Education Links Scheme.
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: occupational therapy.
Search for CAO Courses
Tertiary Education Programmes
Tertiary Education Programmes are a new pathway to a bachelor's degree. Students spend the first year in Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training (FET) then progress to South East Technical University (SETU) Waterford campus for years 2 and 3 of the Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Care (L7). Successful completion gives you the option to apply for an add on year to achieve a L8 qualification. This will allow you to access post-graduate MSc programmes in Healthcare and Occupational Therapy in the UK.
Further information on this programme is available here.
Search Tertiary Education Programmes
Mature Entry
All candidates are required to apply through CAO. Mature Entry is for those that are 23 years of age or older by 1st January in the year of entry. Mature entry route is based on applying for a course via www.cao.ie by 1st February. Applicants may be required to sit an assessment test or attend an interview.
Places are limited and mature applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements for the programme and will also be assessed based on each Colleges [RPL] Recognition of prior learning.
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy - Research, Occupational Therapy - Structured.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Career/ Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
In the HSE you could progress your career as a Senior Occupational Therapist or as a Clinical Specialist in a specific area such as disability, autism, paediatrics or mental health. Further information on clinical, management and educational pathways for career progression in the HSE is available here.
The HSCP Office is responsible for Leadership, Education and Continuing Professional Development of HSCPs working in the HSE. There are many ways of deepening your skills pertinent to your role as a Occupational Therapist within a specific setting. This can be achieved, for example, through postgraduate training or clinical courses.
HSeLanD the Irish Health Service's online learning and development portal offers an array of training and development opportunities delivered either online or in a classroom setting.
Further information is available from AOTI Association of Occupational Therapists Ireland.
Pay & Salary - Occupational Therapist
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €36k - €83k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.
Data Source(s):
HSE.ie/ Indeed/ Glassdoor
Last Updated: July, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Occupational Therapist
This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Speech and language therapists, Therapy professionals n.e.c.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).
Employment growth was above average for therapy professionals, mostly related to an increase in employment between 2022 and 2023 of 3,000 persons. Over four-fifths of those employed were female and a third were working part-time (the highest share across healthcare occupations); this occupation also had a high share who were aged 55 years and over which will have future implications for replacement demand. A small number of employment permits were issued mainly for physiotherapists, but also for occupational and speech and language therapists.
The delivery of Sláintecare, particularly in terms of community care and mental health services, will require additional staffing in these occupations. Provision in the education/training system for these occupations has expanded, with 100 places added in 2023 (across Ireland and Northern Ireland), and further places announced for September 2024.
Given the duration of training programmes, recruitment difficulties for these posts are unlikely to ease in the short-to-medium term. However, the numbers employed in each of the therapy categories are too small to allow for detailed analysis and to determine if shortages exist.
Useful Contacts - Occupational Therapist
-
CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals
-
Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland
- AOTI Office 201 18 Herbert Street Dublin 2 D02 FK19
- 01-8748136
- [email protected]
- Click Here
