Skills for the job of living

Occupational therapists are health professionals who help people or groups of people of all ages assume or reassume the skills they need for the job of living. Occupational therapists work with their clients to help them identify barriers to meaningful occupations (self care, work and leisure).
 

Self-care refers to eating, dressing, personal hygiene, mobility and functional communication.  Work, or productivity, includes play, school work, employment, homemaking, creative and expressive activities and volunteer work.  Leisure encompasses socializing, physical activity and recreational pastimes.

What do occupational therapists do?

Occupational therapists play a vital role in helping people with disabilities, injuries or disease to work, play and do everyday activities to the best of their abilities.  Occupational therapists help their clients to work within their limitations to regain their abilities and to increase freedom and independence.

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages and from all walks of life, and take all aspects of a person’s life and environment into consideration.  Occupational therapists consult with clients and their families throughout the course of therapy.

They take stock of a person’s abilities from physical, mental, emotional, social and environmental points of view. They identify challenges and work with clients to set goals to meet those challenges. They identify and prevent circumstances that would make further limit a person’s abilities. They recommend assistive devices and technologies to overcome or compensate for a person’s limitations.

Where do occupational therapists work?

Occupational therapists work in a wide variety of settings including:

• Community organizations like home care programs, schools, health boards, community health centres, clinics, mental health centres, community action groups;
• Hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centres and nursing homes;
• WorkSafe BC and government;
• Businesses such as insurance companies, construction and architectural firms, and large industries.
• Private practices and rehabilitation companies.

How much does occupational therapy cost?

Some occupational therapy services are offered by acute care outpatient clinics, the public school system, early childhood development centres and community health services operated by health authorities. Usually the cost of these services is covered by the institutions and services. Ask your primary care provider, physician or public health worker what resources may be available to you. Occupational therapy is also available in the private sector. See Private Practices in the Online Directory OT Search. BCSOT members base their fees on the BCSOT Private Practice Fee Guidelines.

Is occupational therapy covered by MSP?

Occupational Therapy is not covered by MSP. Some people receive occupational therapy services while in hospital, or may qualify for care through the local public health unit. People injured in car accidents are covered by ICBC. People injured at work are covered by WorkSafe BC. Some private medical insurance providers cover some occupational therapy services. All occupational therapists in private practice have a good understanding of the assistance that may be available to help their clients pay for their services. Please contact an occupational therapist in your area for assistance.

What are the qualifications of occupational therapists?
 
Occupational therapists are university-trained health professionals. In British Columbia, occupational therapists are educated in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy . See http://www.ot.med.ubc.ca for details.
 
Canadian trained occupational therapists have completed a bachelors or masters level university program, supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings and a national certification examination.
 
Professional Regulation
Occupational therapists working in British Columbia must be registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC).
 
COTBC’s mission is "to protect the public by regulating, advocating and advancing safe, ethical and quality occupational therapy practice in British Columbia."
 
COTBC sets the requirements for entry to practice the profession such as level of education and practical experience hours.

COTBC sets the standards of practice for occupational therapists in BC, monitors the quality of practice and continuing competence through a quality assurance program, and establishes educational requirements and guidelines for conduct for registrants to prevent professional misconduct of a sexual nature.

COTBC investigates any complaints about the practice of an occupational therapist, takes appropriate action in response to Discipline Committee findings, and ensures that all occupational therapists in BC participate in quality assurance programs.
 
COTBC may be reached toll-free at 1-866-386-6822 or in Victoria at 250-386-6822. Their mailing address is #219 Yarrow Building, 645 Fort Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1G2. Email COTBC at info@cotbc.org or visit their website at http://www.cotbc.org.
 
Where may I find out more about what occupational therapy can do for me?
 
Check out the consumer information available at http://www.otworks.ca.
 
How do I find an occupational therapist in BC?
 
Find an occupational therapist in your community by using the "OT Search" tool available from our website.