According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients. | 95% |
| Complete and maintain necessary records. | 94% |
| Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate those impaired because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems. | 91% |
| Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps. | 90% |
| Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress. | 89% |
| Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities. | 89% |
| Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy. | 89% |
| Lay out materials such as puzzles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions. | 85% |
| Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities. | 85% |
| Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, such as splints, braces, and computer-aided adaptive equipment. | 83% |
| Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities. | 81% |
| Provide training and supervision in therapy techniques and objectives for students or nurses and other medical staff. | 78% |
| Develop and participate in health promotion programs, group activities, or discussions to promote client health, facilitate social adjustment, alleviate stress, and prevent physical or mental disability. | 78% |
| Help clients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills, using computer programs. | 77% |
| Conduct research in occupational therapy. | 76% |
| Advise on health risks in the workplace or on health-related transition to retirement. | 70% |
| Provide patients with assistance in locating or holding jobs. | 54% |
