1. Presented by Irvine High PTA Andrea Littleworth OTR/L, MSOT
Occupational Therapy
Presented by Irvine High PTA
Andrea Littleworth OTR/L, MSOT

2. Andrea Littleworth OTR/L, MSOT
School-Based Occupational Therapist with Corona Norco Unified School District
My Path:
Undergraduate degree in Biology-Physiology, Chemistry from CSU Long Beach
Masters in Occupational Therapy from Stanbridge University, Irvine, CA
Worked and Interned in multiple settings: Skilled Nursing Facility, Long Term Care Facility, Outpatient Pediatrics, and School-Based Pediatrics

3. What is Occupational Therapy?

4. Occupational therapy
Occupational therapists are healthcare professionals that restore a client’s function through the therapeutic use of everyday meaningful activities (occupations)
They use exercise, stretching, adaptive equipment, task analysis, client/family education

5. Occupations
The American Occupational Therapy Association's practice framework identifies the following Occupations:
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Bathing, showering, Toileting and toilet hygiene, Dressing, Feeding, Functional mobility/transfers, Personal device care, Personal hygiene and grooming
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
Care of others, Care of pets, Child rearing, Communication management, Driving and community mobility, Financial management, Health management and maintenance, Home establishment and managements, Meal preparation and cleanup, Medication management, Religious and spiritual activities and expression, Safety and emergency maintenance, Shopping
Rest and sleep
Rest, Sleep preparation, Sleep participation
Education
Work
Employment interests and pursuits, Employment seeking and acquisition, Job performance, Retirement preparation and adjustment, Volunteer exploration, Volunteer participation
Play
Play exploration, Play participation
Leisure
Leisure exploration, Leisure participation
Social participation
Community, Family, Peer, Friend

6. Educational Path
Occupational Therapy programs are “Entry-Level OTD or Masters” programs
Must obtain an Undergraduate Degree prior (i.e. Biology, Kinesiology, Psychology, etc.)
Allows you to complete pre-requisite requirements (i.e. anatomy, physiology, psychology, statistics, etc.)
School requirements may vary
GRE
Volunteer hours in a variety of settings
Numbers of volunteer hours varies by programs

7. OTR/L, MSOT
Registered Occupational Therapist, Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy
Programs for OTD and MSOT range from 2-3 years of post-graduate work, which includes clinical rotations/internships
Local schools: Stanbridge University, University of Southern California, CSU Dominguez Hills, Loma Linda University, University of St. Augustine (San Diego), West Coast University (Los Angeles)

8. Different types of working environments
Hospital (Inpatient Acute Care)
Outpatient
Rehabilitation Hospital
Pediatrics/Schools
Home Health
Hand Therapy
Mental Health
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Long Term Care/Sub-Acute Care Facilities

9. Job prospects and Salary
According the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Employment of OT’s is projected to grow 21% between 2016 and 2026
Opportunities to work full-time, part-time, per diem
Somewhat flexible schedule
Average hourly salary for a OT is $39.38, and average annual salary is $81,910.
Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA Metropolitan Division has the 9th highest employment level in the nation and salaries higher than the national average at $42.90/hour, $89,230/year

10. Why become an OT? We put the FUN in FUNCTIONAL! Help people
Teach people how to adapt tasks to fit their needs
Not stuck behind a desk
Chance to meet all kinds of people (co-workers, other healthcare professionals)
Possibility of a flexible schedule
Possibility of ownership