There are different occupational therapy programs in Colorado to choose from if you intend to have a career in therapy.
The goal of occupational therapy is to assist patients in regaining, developing, or mastering daily living skills so they can lead independent, fruitful, and fulfilling lives.
Through the therapeutic use of meaningful daily activities, the profession promotes and sustains health, maximizes independent functioning, and advances development.
There are numerous renowned hospitals and institutions in the sizable state of Colorado. The state has a thriving occupational therapy industry. Professionals in occupational therapy are more and more in demand.
In Colorado, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students all have their own professional organizations.
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The Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado
The professional association for occupational therapists is called the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado.
Furthermore, the organization is acknowledged by the American Occupational Therapy Association and is linked with it (AOTA).
Check also: Occupational Therapy Programs in Washington
The association is responsible for OT employment, OT social responsibility, and OT state-wide awareness-building. The OT association facilitates communication between occupational therapy students and practicing occupational therapists.
Duties of an Occupational Therapist
As previously stated, occupational therapists collaborate with their patients by applying a therapeutic approach to everyday activities.
In general, occupational therapists are responsible for assisting patients in developing, recovering, and improving from a condition or injury, as well as maintaining the skills required to carry out daily activities.
This means that occupational therapists are in charge of a wide range of duties and tasks related to patient care. The duties of an occupational therapist vary depending on the setting in which they work.
- Assessing a patient’s condition and requirements.
- Creating treatment plans to meet a patient’s needs and assist them in meeting specific goals.
- Occupational therapist also evaluates a patient’s home and/or work environment and recommending changes to meet the patient’s needs and increase independence.
- Teaching patients and caregivers how to use specialized equipment
- Evaluate and document progress for evaluation, billing, and reporting.
Occupational therapists’ daily activities will most likely be influenced by the settings in which they work.
Many occupational therapists work in hospitals or private practices, but there are numerous opportunities to work in other settings.
Some practitioners, for example, work in educational settings to aid in child development or with the elderly to alleviate the difficulties that come with aging.
Those with a strong entrepreneurial spirit may even decide to start and manage their own private practice.
Required Qualifications
While occupational therapists come from all walks of life, there are a few key skills and qualities that lend themselves well to the nature of the job.
For example, in order to work in the best interests of their patients, these professionals must have a strong sense of compassion and empathy.
Check also: How to become an occupational therapist aide
Indeed, many occupational therapists are drawn to this field because they want to make a difference in the lives of others.
Aside from a people-oriented mindset, OTs should have a number of skills to be successful in the field. These are some examples:
Problem Solving: Because no two cases are ever the same, good OTs must have excellent problem-solving skills in order to determine the best course of action for each individual situation.
Communication skills: Occupational therapists must have strong written and verbal communication skills in order to effectively understand their patients’ needs and explain the treatment process.
They must also be able to clearly document treatment plans and progress while collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
Patience and flexibility: Occupational therapy is frequently a long road to restoring a patient’s independence. When dealing with the highs and lows of this process, good OTs must be patient and flexible.
Occupational Therapy Programs in Colorado
Below, you will find the schools that offer the top occupational therapy programs in Colorado;
1. Colorado State University
The Fort Collins campus is Colorado’s only school that provides ACOTE-accredited graduate training for occupational therapists, and students can earn master’s or doctoral degrees in the field.
Students pursuing a master’s degree take courses in occupational performance and rehabilitation science. Students pursuing a Master of Science degree must also complete a thesis project. Students in the doctoral program conduct research, attend lectures and write dissertations in the field of occupational and rehabilitation science.
The post-professional master’s degree program is intended for holders of an OT bachelor’s degree. Applicants to this program must also have passed the NBCOT exams. The Colorado State University System’s flagship university.
From 1870 to 1935, the university was known as Colorado Agricultural College, and from 1935 to 1957, it was known as Colorado A&M.
Address: Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
Contact: +1 970-491-6444
2. Pueblo Community College
This community college’s OTA associate degree program, located in Pueblo, is ACOTE-accredited and consists of 18 months of coursework and 16 weeks of clinical training.
Because of the limited number of clinical training locations, the program is somewhat small and selective at this location.
Documentation, activity analysis, and movement assessment are among the courses offered in this degree program.
Their passion at Pueblo Community College is your success. That’s why they have the most affordable tuition of any college or university in southern Colorado, as well as flexible class schedules to accommodate your needs.
There are over 70 programs available, ranging from culinary arts to software development. Their personalized student support is unrivaled; they will be with you every step of the way.
Their courses are guaranteed to transfer to any public four-year university in Colorado, saving you thousands of dollars in tuition.
You can even get your bachelor’s degree at PCC in some cases. They provide the high-quality education you need to launch a successful career.
Address: 900 W Orman Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004, United States
Contact: +1 719-549-3200
3. Colorado State University Pueblo
This Pueblo state college offers a bachelor’s degree program with a focus on pre-occupational therapy.
ACOTE does not accredit this program because it is only pre-OT. To be eligible for the pre-OT emphasis program at this university, students must major in psychology or biology.
Check also: 5 best Occupational Therapy Programs in New Jersey
Students take emphasis courses such as human anatomy and physiology, statistics, medical terminology, and disease systems in addition to fulfilling the major requirements.
The pre-occupational therapy concentration consists of 32 units of coursework that includes both lectures and laboratory training experiences.
Address: 2200 Bonforte Blvd, Pueblo, CO81001, United States
Contact: +1 719-549-2100
Careers in Occupational Therapy in Colorado
Despite Colorado’s size, there are extremely few occupational therapy schools in the state. As a result, there is a greater need for OT specialists and less competition.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there are 2670 occupational therapists working in Colorado.
Colorado Occupational Therapist Salary
The average Occupational Therapist pay in Colorado is $80,168 per year, according to indeed.com. While the average yearly compensation for occupational therapists in Colorado is $86,420 and the median annual salary is $41.55, respectively, according to the BLS (May 2016).
Conclusion on the occupational therapy programs in Colorado
Patients are treated by occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) using physical therapy, strength training, career retraining, and training in adaptive technology.
In Colorado, students have the option of pursuing an associate’s degree in OT assistance, a bachelor’s degree in pre-occupational therapy, a master’s degree in occupational therapy, or a PhD degree.
The majority of programs have practical requirements, such as those involving clinical work. Programs could have a cap on enrollment.
A thesis is often required of graduate students. Occupational therapists and those considering a career in the field can expect good pay and job growth in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment for OTs will grow by 18 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
This change will result in approximately 23,700 additional jobs in the field over the next decade. Occupational therapists earned an average annual salary of $84,270 in 2018, according to the BLS. Of course, compensation varies greatly depending on the state in which they work.
The demand for occupational therapists is expected to increase in order to care for the aging baby-boom generation, as OTs play an important role in the treatment of age-related diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you become an occupational therapist?
A master’s degree or a more advanced degree in occupational therapy is required to work as an occupational therapist.
Majors in biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts, and anatomy are all appropriate for those pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy.
- Is occupational therapy a difficult degree to obtain?
A degree in Occupational Therapy is not the easiest to obtain, but it is far more rewarding than a 9 to 5 desk job.
We’re on our feet all day, but we’ve also learned to enjoy every minute of a night out. The variety of patients we meet truly opens our eyes and alters our worldview.
- Is occupational therapy a good profession?
As part of the health sector, occupational therapy is in high demand and is expected to grow in the coming years.
Over the next five years, health care and social assistance are expected to have the highest employment growth of any industry.
- How long does it take to get an occupational therapy license in Colorado?
between three and four weeks
In Colorado, there is no set timeline for obtaining your occupational therapy license. Most states issue occupational therapy licenses within three to four weeks of receiving a complete application.
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Chibueze Uchegbu is a certified medical physiologist with a great passion for healthy living.