Advancement Within a hospital setting, staff therapists with adequate clinical experience may qualify as senior therapists, whereby they carry out more administrative and/or clinical teaching duties. Experienced therapists may become directors of occupational therapy programs in large hospitals, clinics or workshops, or set up their own private practice. Licensure/Certification To practice as an occupational therapist in Florida, both national certification and state licensure are required. To be eligible for the certification exam the applicant must be a graduate of an accredited OT program. Accreditation is granted by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association. A state license is obtained from the Department of Health Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Continuing education is required every two years for license renewal. Salary The average hourly wage for occupational therapists in Florida was $30.24 in 2006. Educational Programs Associate's Degree Webster College Bachelor's Degree Barry University Florida A & M University Florida Gulf Coast University Florida International University University of Florida Master's Degree Barry University Florida International University Nova Southeastern University University of Florida University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Doctor of Occupational Therapy Nova Southeastern University Professional Associations American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. Florida Occupational Therapy Association

Occupational therapists help disabled individuals and/or populations work toward maximum health and independence via rehabilitation of lost capabilities for work and/or daily living skills. These abilities may have been disrupted by physical illness or injury, congenital or developmental disability, emotional and/or cognitive disorder, or by the aging process.

Therapists use a variety of approaches to assess each individual’s needs and to determine how they can best be met. Standardized and non-standardized evaluation and assessment tools are available. The type of evaluation may depend on the client’s age. For example, toys and games may best be used with children. In treating adults, computers, work simulation, leisure activities, or self-care tasks may serve better. The effectiveness of the intervention and progress of the individual are carefully monitored and recorded by occupational therapists.

They also work with rehabilitation engineers to design and provide special equipment or develop computer-aided equipment such as wheelchairs, splints, and eating and dressing aids for use in the home, at work, or in school. They must be patient, in order to gain the individual's trust, and creative to adapt the evaluation and intervention approaches to each person's individual needs.

Areas of Specialization
Therapists may specialize in a particular field of concentration as it relates to the lifespan cycle (pediatrics vs. gerontology) and to the various conditions and diagnoses (neurology vs. mental health). There is ample opportunity for therapists to change their field of concentration through continuing education and/or mentoring by senior therapists.

Work Environment
Occupational therapists may work in hospitals, schools, mental health facilities, nursing homes, job training services, residential care facilities and in private practice, to name a few of the available work settings. The work week may vary from a traditional 40-hour week to a more non-traditional evening/weekend work week. Certain work environments are more physically demanding than others because the therapists often must lift patients and equipment.

Job Outlook
The number of occupational therapists employed in Florida in 2006 was 5,491. It is projected that in 2014 there will be 7,074. This represents an annual average growth rate of 3.6 percent.

Length of Training/Requirements
Currently, the minimal requirement for entry into the field is a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. However, in 1999 the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) voted to move the education of occupational therapist to the graduate entry-level, which will be effective in 2007. Institutions are using different models to grant the master's entry-level, i.e. either a post-baccalaureate or a combined bachelor/master's entry-level degree. In addition to the academic education, an approved supervised clinical training period of six months is required for professional certification. The college preparation for occupational therapy emphasizes health and social sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, neurology, psychology, and sociology. The students also study occupation, occupational performance, occupational therapy theories, evaluation, intervention, and the use of assistive technology.