Question

What is the Occupational professional job role? How they could justify to occupational workers (employees)?

Answer 1

Occupational professionals or therapists help children and adults of all ages with mental, physical or social disabilities to independently carry out everyday tasks or occupations with more confidence and independence.

As they work with a diverse range of people who all have different needs, they need to understand each person's requirements and lifestyle so that you can create the best treatment plan for them.

Their roles includes;

• develop a rehabilitation programme to help rebuild lost skills and restore confidence;
• advise on home and workplace environmental alterations, such as adjustments for wheelchair access;
• teach anxiety management techniques;
• help people to return to work;
• advise on specialist equipment to help with daily activities;
• coach people with learning difficulties or poor social skills, e.g. in handling money and social interaction;
• mentor people on how to control their own behaviour;
• liaise with other professionals, such as doctors, physiotherapists, social workers, equipment suppliers and architects, as well as patients' families, carers and employers;
• write reports and attend multidisciplinary case meetings to plan and review ongoing treatment;
• organise support and rehabilitation groups for carers and clients;
• train students and supervise the work of occupational therapy assistants;
• manage a caseload, prioritising needs and completing administrative tasks such as patient and budgetary records.

They will create individual treatment programmes and suggest changes to the person's environment, whether that be at home, work or school, and may introduce the use of equipment which will help with some activities. They review the treatments periodically, evaluate progress and make changes as needed.