Occupational Therapists
Formal Description
“Occupational therapists develop individual and group programs with people affected by illness, injury, developmental disorders, emotional or psychological problems and aging to maintain, restore or increase their ability to care for themselves and to engage in work, school or leisure. They also develop and implement health promotion programs with individuals, community groups and employers. They are employed in health care facilities, in schools, and by private and social services agencies, or they may be self-employed.” (NOC 2021)
Sample Job Titles
This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:
Community Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Consultant
Research Occupational Therapist
Typical Employment and Education Requirements
The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts. {This text can be swapped to either column for balance.}
The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:
- “A university degree in occupational therapy including supervised fieldwork is required.”
- “Completion of a national or provincial certification examination is required.”
- “Licensure with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.”
- “Membership in the national association, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, is required in some provinces.”
- “Occupational therapists may obtain expertise in a particular area through additional training or experience.”
Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond
When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:
- Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
- Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
- Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.
Related Sectors
Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:
Academic Program Connections
As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:
Health, Aging & Society Learn More
Examining aging and health, provides insights into physical, psychological, and social challenges which are crucial when working with older adults.
Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour Learn More
Understanding the brain and nervous system’s effects on movement, cognition, and sensation helps in recognizing conditions that may impact a client’s ability to perform tasks.
Social Psychology Learn More
A degree in Social Psychology helps address clients’ psychological and social challenges as an Occupational Therapist, allowing for holistic, client-centred interventions that enhance functionality and community interactions.
Sociology Learn More
Sociology highlights factors like income, education, healthcare access, and environment affecting health, helping Occupational Therapists understand and address clients’ therapy barriers and work with them to overcome challenges.
