Occupational Therapy - Tampa Brochure Entering Class 2021

4 | Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy (OT) offers an opportunity to combine science with creativity to improve and enhance the lives and functions of individuals, while preventing disruptions in their daily routines. Occupational therapists • help redesign people’s lives and environments so they can function at their maximum potential • work with a wide variety of individuals—from infants to older adults with psychiatric, developmental, cognitive, and/or physical impairments • assist healthy individuals—such as injured workers, premature babies, and individu- als who are homeless—who have had interruptions in their day-to-day functioning Opportunities in this field are limitless. More than 100,000 occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work in public and private schools, private practices, community-based programs, nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, outpa- tient clinics, disability insurance companies, pediatric programs, prisons, work rehabili- tation programs, sheltered workshops, homeless programs, drug and alcohol rehabilita- tion programs, and day treatment and other psychiatric programs. Faculty members of NSU’s Department of Occupational Therapy are internationally known for their leadership roles, scholarly pursuits, and many publications. NSU is also home to the virtual community called Community and Health Advocacy through Occupational Studies (CHAOS) and its scholarly publication, OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry for Students, Faculty, and Other Practitioners Advocating for Health through Occupational Studies. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY OVERVIEW Did You Know? Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 27 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Did You Know? Occupational therapy ranks in the top 15 fastest growing jobs and among the top 25 best paying jobs for college graduates ages 20–29.