In today’s blog post, we will be looking at everything you need to know about Occupational Therapy Programs in Washington.
If you have pain, injury, illness, or a disability that makes it difficult for you to do your job or schoolwork, care for yourself, complete household chores, move around, or participate in activities, this type of treatment may be beneficial.
Occupational therapy (OT) teaches you how to cope with your surroundings. It can assist you with any task at school, at work, or at home.
You’ll learn how to use tools (also known as assistive devices) if you require them. You’ll meet with an occupational therapist, who can help you change your movements so you can get your work done, take care of yourself or your home, play sports, or stay active.
It can assist you with specific tasks such as eating without the assistance of others, Participating in recreational activities, Working in the office, taking a bath and getting dressed, doing laundry, or cleaning around the house.
Occupational therapy is a type of health care that assists in the resolution of problems that impede a person’s ability to do the things that are important to them.
Occupational Therapy Admissions Requirements in Washington
The admissions standards for the universities in Washington will vary significantly. A high school diploma or GED is usually required for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Many institutions value applicants who have relevant extracurricular, volunteer, or employment experience.
Some occupational therapists choose to get a master’s degree later in their careers because master’s degree programs typically require at least a bachelor’s degree and many also require work experience; Because of this, some occupational therapists choose to pursue a master’s degree later in their careers.
It is critical for occupational therapists to ensure that the institution they choose to attend is accredited in accordance with Washington state criteria.
Make sure you understand the distinction between occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, as the former demands a master’s degree while the latter does not.
Required Qualifications
In addition to meeting formal educational requirements, occupational therapists should possess some or all of the following skills and characteristics:
- Compassion
- Patients’ abilities and boundaries should be respected.
- Disability rights activism is something you should be well-versed on.
- Great bedside manners
- Anatomy and physiology of the human body
- Ability to collaborate with patients on their objectives and requirements
Qualifications for a Career
It is necessary to receive a license in Washington to practice as an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant.
Occupational therapists must have a master’s degree from an approved OT school, while occupational therapy assistants must have an associate’s degree from an accredited OTA program. Candidates for both licenses must additionally pass the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists’ respective exams (NBCOT).
Occupational Therapy Schools in Washington
Occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs lead to master’s and associate’s degrees, respectively, at a few public and private non-profit Washington colleges.
Many programs require students to learn research and reporting skills, as well as complete practical requirements such as fieldwork.
A bachelor’s degree, ideally in a related discipline, is required for admission to a master’s degree program. Graduate students complete an internship or other extended in-field training experience. The following are some universities:
- 1. Bates Technical College
Bates Technical College is a technical college in Bates, Maine.
The OTA associate’s degree program is offered at Bates Technical College’s downtown Tacoma location.
This program requires students to complete coursework in adaptable technology, nervous system functioning, mental health, documentation, and OTA settings, as well as clinical experience at various intervals.
Students must study core studies in topics such as medical terminology before beginning the OTA-specific curriculum. The OTA program begins during the spring quarter at Bates, which follows a quarter-based calendar.
Address:1101 S. Yakima Avenue Tacoma, WA 98504-4895
- 2. Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University is a public university in Eastern Washington.
Eastern Washington University’s (EWU) main site is in Cheney, while the school’s Riverpoint Campus in Spokane houses the occupational therapy department.
Occupational therapy leadership, human disease, developing practices, and occupational performance are all covered in EWU’s Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) curriculum. In addition, students conduct OT-related research and write a report to accompany it.
EWU also provides a combined degree program in which undergraduate students can acquire a bachelor’s degree in exercise science or interdisciplinary studies while also taking courses during the MOT program’s first year. Students who continue on to study the MOT at EWU will be able to complete it in less time than usual.
- 3. Green River College
Green River College is a community college located in Green River.
Green River College’s (GRC) OTA program is held on the school’s main campus in Auburn. Psychosocial dysfunction, therapeutic adaptations, physical limitations, and gerontology are among the themes covered in the program.
Students also complete clinical fieldwork under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapist. 89 percent of GRC OTA graduates who took the NBCOT for the first time passed it between 2010 and 2012.
Address:12401 S.E. 320th Street Auburn, WA 98092
- 4. Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Adaptive technology, kinesiology, health promotion, and professional communication are all covered in an associate’s degree program in OTA at Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) in Kirkland.
Occupational therapy students must also complete mandatory clinical practice in a professional setting.
The on-campus Employment Resource Center at LWIT offers résumé and interview seminars, job postings, and job search assistance to students.
Address: 11605 132nd Avenue NE Kirkland, WA 98034-8506
- 5. University of Puget Sound
A Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree is offered by the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma.
The MSOT curriculum, which is more research-oriented, includes a more in-depth study of research methods as well as the preparation of a publishable research report.
Functional anatomy, neurological diseases, biomechanics, as well as health care systems, and clinical research, are all covered in class.
Students must work full-time for at least six months under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist to receive the MSOT. Interactive video teaching tools and a free on-site clinic for student training are among Puget Sound’s OT resources.
- 6. University of Washington – Seattle
The Master of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Washington (UW) is located on the main campus in Seattle. The UW Occupational Therapy department features a four-person faculty and follows a quarter-based timetable like the rest of the institution.
Rehabilitation diagnosis, therapeutic communication, and measuring methods are among the topics covered by OT students at the University of Washington, as are lab-based programs like gross anatomy and rehabilitation kinesiology.
MOT applicants work in small groups to complete a community-related master’s project that includes written analysis and a professional oral presentation.
According to the institution, all alumni of the UW MOT program passed the NBCOT certification test on their first or subsequent attempts.
Jobs in Occupational Therapy in Washington
In Washington, the job market for occupational therapists is highly promising. Occupational therapy is one of the fastest-growing vocations in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with registered occupational therapists expected to expand at a faster rate than the national average (21- 36 percent ).
Occupational therapists and OTAs are in short supply in Washington, according to many Health Care Recruitment firms.
In May 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were approximately 2800 employed and licensed occupational therapists in Washington. And the need for licensed practitioners is growing. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants have a lot of opportunities in Washington.
Occupational Therapy Salary in Washington
According to Indeed.com, the average annual salary of an occupational therapist in Washington was $81,000 in 2017; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapy professionals’ average annual and hourly incomes were $80,590 and $38.74, respectively, in May 2017.
A final thought about the Occupational Therapy Programs in Washington
Anyone who has difficulty performing any task may benefit from occupational therapy. Your therapist may visit your home, workplace, or school to develop a treatment plan.
They work with people of all ages, including premature babies, small children, middle-aged adults, and the elderly.
In a nutshell, the therapist observes how you carry out any activity or task. Then they devise a strategy to improve your technique in order to make it easier or less painful.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Occupational Therapy Programs in Washington
Below are the answers to the most asked questions about the Occupational Therapy Programs in Washington;
- How does one become an occupational therapist in the state of Washington?
The Washington Jurisprudence Examination, which can be found here, must be passed. Take and pass the NBCOT OTR exam.
They must complete 30 Continuing Competency hours during the licensure period to renew their license. The online application form for becoming an Occupational Therapist can be found here.
- Is occupational therapy a good profession?
It’s a career path with limitless opportunities because it allows you to help a wide range of people in various aspects of life. Working in the field of occupational therapy will provide you with a deep sense of fulfillment if you have the compassion and drive to pursue a career dedicated to improving people’s quality of life.
- Is occupational therapy a difficult degree to obtain?
Occupational Therapy is not the easiest degree to obtain, but it is far more rewarding than a 9 to 5 desk job.
They’re on their feet all day, but they’ve also learned to enjoy every minute of a night out. The variety of patients they meet truly opens our eyes and alters our worldview.
- How do occupational therapists get paid?
Occupational therapists’ favorite side hustles
- Take on PRN shifts,
- Check with local facilities (for example, schools, skilled nursing facilities, private clinics, home health agencies, and so on)
- Join the telehealth revolution,
- Become a consultant in occupational therapy.
- Provide home security services.
- Become an occupational therapist educator.
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