Get a little therapy

Occupational therapist Rachel Nash assesses Carrie McColl. Picture / Greg Bowker

The job

Occupational therapists, or OTs, are not basket weaving empire builders. They are professionals, trained to assess and help the day-by-day rehabilitation of people of all ages recovering from illness and injury.

Study includes human structure and function, physical, cognitive and affective performance for occupation and psychology and lifespan development.

Approximately one third of the degree is spent in the field with a registered occupational therapist. First year students do two weeks placement, while second year students have two placements totalling nine weeks. Third year students do a longitudinal placement as well as one eight week placement. Placements are across New Zealand with some international opportunities, particularly in third year.

The degree is three years full time, with limited part-time options. Part timers must complete the degree within six years.

Applications close late November although late applications may be accepted. Up to 110 students are accepted each year.

School leavers need NCEA university entrance, or the equivalent. Applicants over 20 years need to prove their ability to undertake the degree successfully.

All applicants must undergo a police clearance check.

Occupational therapists find work in health centres, schools, hospitals, workplaces, prisons, marae and care facilities. They may become community development officers, rehabilitation advisers, researchers or case managers.

Graduates are eligible to register as occupational therapists in New Zealand and can apply to practise in other countries. There is a global shortage of OTs.

The graduate

Rachel Nash, 23
Occupational Therapist, Ergowise, Auckland.
Completed degree in 2004, gained practising certificate last year.

I initially worked at Mercy Parklands Resthome and Hospital as an occupational assistant, and then as an occupational therapist when my registration came through. I moved to Ergowise in September.

My job involves working with clients with injuries to identify the barriers preventing them from returning to their pre-injury work, and to establish options to overcome these barriers.

I also have to ascertain what assistance a client may need to become more independent regarding transport, maintaining their homes and carrying out their personal care.

I was attracted to the job because of its variety and autonomy. I meet and work with people from all walks of life. I also love working with clients in their own environment - homes and workplaces.

Occupational therapy combines everything I want in a career - the licence to be creative in a health profession involving plenty of people contact and client-centeredness. There is also a large choice of areas to work in upon graduating, each with a different client group and role.

I chose to study at AUT because it was close to home, the course content was of a high quality, and you study alongside future colleagues including physiotherapists, nurses, and podiatrists.

I found the lecturers to be approachable, supportive and flexible. Tutorials gave a chance to ask all types of questions of lecturers, and to share ideas with other students.

The Employer

Tanya Povey
Clinical director of Ergowise.

Ergowise provides injury management and rehabilitation services to corporate clients plus assessment services to customers including work site assessments, return to work plans, and assessments of social rehabilitation needs, such as home help, education support and housing modifications.

Rachel has a mature attitude and was clear what her goals were. She was confident in what she knew but not afraid to acknowledge areas where she needed to improve her skills or knowledge. Her communication skills were excellent for the experience she had - another crucial skill in this role.

The course has provided Rachel with sound clinical reasoning skills, ability to assess the rehabilitation requirements of clients and an understanding of what is required to support clients in achieving their rehabilitation goals.

It develops a strong awareness of work place safety, aging population and importance of early proactive rehabilitation support. It provided her skills in negotiating with a variety of customers from injured clients through to corporate customers who all have quite unique needs. She has also learned good report/document writing abilities which are crucial in this day and age.

The qualification

Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy)
Auckland University of Technology
Contacts: 0800 288 864
Fees for this year: $3987 plus other costs (student uniform, travel and out of town accommodation costs with clinical placements).
Starting salary: $35,000 - $40,000