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Medical

Occupational therapist

Occupational therapists help people who have difficulties caused by physical or mental illness, disability, accidents or ageing.

Annual Salary

£28,000 to £50,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

35 to 40 a week

You could work: 9am to 5pm;

3.8%
Future employment

There will be 3.8% more Occupational therapist jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As an occupational therapist you could:

  • teach and help clients to live independently
  • help clients with mental illnesses do activities they enjoy
  • support clients to manage permanent physical disabilities
  • suggest ways to adapt an office or home
  • support clients, their families and carers and keep notes about progress

Working environment

You may need to wear a uniform.

You could work at a client's home, in an NHS or private hospital, at a client's business, at a GP practice or at an adult care home.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
University

You could do a degree in occupational therapy, approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.

Courses combine work placements with academic study.

Postgraduate conversion course

You might be able to do a postgraduate conversion course if you've got a degree in a subject like:biological science; health science; psychology

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could do an Occupational Therapist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This usually takes 4 years to complete and is a mix of learning on the job and academic study at an approved university.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
For more information
Work

You could start as an occupational therapy support worker.

With support from your employer, you could study for a degree part time to qualify as an occupational therapist.

Volunteering and work experience

You'll find it helpful to get some work experience in healthcare before you apply for jobs or training.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

More information

Career tips

When applying for courses and jobs, you'll be expected to have an understanding of how theNHS values apply in your work.

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in occupational therapy from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and Health Careers.

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With experience you could:specialise in an area such as elderly care or services for children; go into private practice, education or research; do further training and move into more senior or management roles within the NHS; work overseas

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • knowledge of psychology
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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