Pediatric Occupational Therapist Jobs - What Does A Pediatric Occupational Therapist Do?
What is involved in pediatric occupational therapist jobs and what qualifications are required? In order to work as a pediatric occupational therapist, you must have special education and knowledge. Working as a pediatric occupational therapist, you will be responsible for the development and execution of a special program designed to evaluate, treat and manage a range of skeletal, neuromuscular or cognitive limitations in infants, children and adolescents.
Job Description
It's really important to understand the role of the pediatric occupational therapist. Pediatric therapists work with infants and children on problems such as motor planning, balance, coordination, endurance or strength. In addition to that, the therapist might also have to help out with cognitive development and social coping skills.
Other procedures a therapist may provide include neuromuscular re-education, manual techniques, scar management, custom made splints, and evaluation and recommendations for wheelchairs or orthotics. This could also include specialized pediatric positioning systems or referral to the Wheelchair Seating and Positioning Program.
Conditions Treated by Pediatric Occupational Therapy
A wide range of different conditions can benefit from occupational therapy pediatric rehab, such as: orthopedic injury or problems; neurological disorders; failure to thrive; spinal cord injury; prematurity; sensory integration disorders; genetic/metabolic disorders; autism; muscular dystrophy; developmental delay; eating disorders; motor limitations.
The main method that pediatric occupational therapists use is play and that's quite normal considering that their patients are infants, children and adolescents. Games are highly motivating and they are a natural media used by all kids. A critical factor is the involvement of the family members.
Education Requirements
The educational background involved with pediatric occupational therapist jobs features course work in anatomy, psychology and neurology. Another major part of their education also involves course work in activity analysis. In that way, therapists are able to analyze the components of a play or work activity selecting tasks that will enhance the child's basic skills.
Of course, there are some requirements one must meet in order to be legally allowed to practice the profession of pediatric occupational therapist. The training typically consists of a three year course which leads to a Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. But if you are already employed as an occupational therapy support worker, you might be allowed to study part-time, in which case the course would take four years.
Alternatively, there is the option to enroll in a two year accelerated course which also lead to a formal qualification. Once you have the Bachelor's degree in the field of Occupational Therapy, next step is to earn Master's because this is the requirement in USA since 2007. Once you have the Master's degree, you will then be able to take the NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) exam and proceed to look for pediatric occupational therapist jobs.
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