OT in Acute Care

Hi Readers:

I have previously discussed occupational therapy jobs in both school and skilled nursing facilities, two very different environments. This week I want to give you some information on a OT setting that is a little in between those two, acute care. “Acute care is an inpatient hospital setting for individuals with a critical medical condition” such as brain or spinal cord injury, progressive diseases and more (AOTA).

As an occupational therapist in this setting, there are a variety of jobs you could be responsible for. The role of the OT is to help with “early mobilization, restoring function, preventing further decline and coordinating care” which involves transition to and discharge from the facility (AOTA). Also, when working in this setting, you get to work with a wide range of patients with different conditions and ages, so there is more diversity in your work. Some of the different areas in the acute care unit that an OT can work in are critical care, neurology, orthopedics, psychiatry, behavioral health and pediatrics. The OT also has to work collaboratively with other health care professionals such as physical therapists, nurses, speech pathologists, and doctors to ensure the best care for their patients.

As an acute care occupational therapist, you have the opportunity to make a big impact on someone’s health and life. You have the opportunity to work with a variety of patients and in diverse units within the facility as well. Hopefully this gave you a little more perspective on what an acute care occupational therapist does!

Thanks,

Megan

References:

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2012). Occupational therapy's role in acute care. http://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/RDP/Facts/Acute-Care.pdf?la=en