Beginning with an Occupational Therapy Degree

There are many beginnings once you acquire an occupational therapy degree, but where do you begin? Many students after graduation face this fear. This blog is dedicated to occupational therapy students or therapists who are seeking more out of their degree.

Many therapists seek a concentration over the course of their career. They practice in the same area in which they are specialized in and only complete their continuing education requirements for that specific specialization. There are many cases in which a therapist can advance their degree or practice with training and certifications, but many are unaware of what is available.

According to the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT), a journal article called Ladder to Professional Certification: The Career Mobility Program states “there are three criteria: one, the applicant must maintain certification by paying annual fees. Criteria two requires a minimum of 4 years of qualifying COTA practice, which is defined as performing COTA functions, delivering direct client services under the supervision of an OTR, and performing at satisfactory level. Criterion three is successful completion of at least 6 months of therapist-level fieldwork experience, approved and evaluated by the Career Mobility Review Committee”.1 Below I have provided different types of certifications in which you can obtain or acquire to better your future and your practice as an occupational therapist.

Certifications:2

• Board Certification (OT)- Specialty Certification (OT and OTA)
• Gerontology (BCG)- Driving and Community Mobility (SCDCM or SCDM-A)
• Mental Health (BCMH)- Environmental Modification (SCEM or SCEM-A)
• Pediatrics (BCP)- Feeding, eating, and swallowing (SCFES or SCFES-A)
• Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR)- Low Vision (SCLV or SCLV-A)

References

1Adams, N. G. (1981). Ladder to Profesional Certification. The Career Mobility Program, 35. Retrieved February 7, 2017, from file:///C:/Users/raega/Downloads/328.pdf.

2Board and Specialty Certifications. (2017). Retrieved February 23, 2017, from http://www.aota.org/education-careers/advance-career/board-specialty-certifications.aspx