Getting in a major accident and severely injuring any part of the body definitely leads to devastating news. Imagine being told this sort of information; think about all the things that would be running through your mind. Now imagine yourself on the other end of the spectrum – as an occupational therapist helping to rehabilitate these types of patients; think about how rewarding it is to see them get well again. Recently, I’ve had the opportunity of meeting with a real-life occupational therapist, Mrs. Eileen Itamoto-Gaza, who has held this profession for the past 25+ years.

Occupational therapists (OTs) select and direct therapeutic activities that are designed to develop and restore maximum function to individuals with disabilities or critical injuries. They help patients to explore their likes, dislikes, abilities, and creative, educational, and recreational experiences to choose various treatment activities that they’re most interested in, that help them to get well again as well as improve their everyday living style. Since occupational therapy is considered evidence-based practice, OTs must also conduct research to develop new forms of therapy and activities, “you can’t just perform a certain technique, just because you know it works,” says Itamoto-Gaza, “there has to be a reason behind it.” This is done to assure that the tasks they’re completing with their patient are efficient. Other responsibilities include supervising volunteers or student therapists, preparing reports to inform other members of the professional team about the patient’s progress, directing programs, coordinating patient activities, and acting as consultants/advisors to local or state health departments, mental health authorities, and divisions of vocational rehabilitation services. If they wish, experienced OTs may become directors of programs in large hospitals, clinics, workshops, or even become teachers.

In order to become an occupational therapist, there are quite a few years of schooling you must complete, in addition to passing an exam to obtain certification and proper licensure. Educational requirements that can be met during your high school career include enrolling in classes that’ll better prepare you for this profession, like biology, chemistry and health. Classes such as art or social services expose you to other aspects of the job. According to the Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, the minimal requirements in 2007 for anyone wishing to receive a professional credential (becoming a registered OT) from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) must have at least completed their master’s degree in the field, and have met the minimum field work requirement, which is the equivalent of having completed 24 weeks of supervised experience with patients in the clinic. In order to acquire certification as an OT, all states require that you take the NBCOT exam, that you’ve graduated from an accredited program (granted by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education – ACOTE), and that you have completed the minimum amount of clinical experience. Licensing requirements for an occupational therapist include graduating from an accredited program, passing the NBCOT certification exam, paying the license fees, and in some cases, passing the exam that covers the state statutes and regulations. Certification renewal occurs every five years, whereas license renewal varies among the states. Since proper classes for occupational therapy aren’t available in Hawaii, Itamoto-Gaza completed majority of her schooling on the mainland; first receiving her prerequisite in Hawaii before transferring to Colorado University, where she received her Bachelor’s science in Occupational Therapy. Following this, she completed a total of three internships within eight months – three months spent at a hospital in Spokane, Washington, three months at a veteran hospital in the psychiatric unit in Sepulveda, North Ridge California, and two months at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. “I remember catching the bus every Wednesday after school,” Itamoto-Gaza says when asked about what first got her interested in the job; she enjoyed volunteering at Wahiawa General Hospital in the occupational therapy clinic. Occupational therapy requires lots of patience, “it’s kind of like you need a certain personality to fit the job,” said Itamoto-Gaza; you have to be flexible with the patients and be able to motivate them at the same time. To many, including myself, these extensive years of schooling seems like way too much to handle, but I think with the right motivation and self-determination, it’ll all be worth it in the long run.

Ranked as the fifth occupation for the highest demand in the U.S., the job outlook for an occupational therapist is definitely a positive one. In 2006, there were approximately 99,000 OTs employed in the U.S. The employment for occupational therapists is expected to grow much faster than average; between 2006 and 2016, the employment rate is anticipated to increase 23%. Amongst the increasing unemployment rate and the nation’s rising economy, it’s a good thing for me to know that when I’m old enough, there’ll probably be a great demand and availability for this job.

According to The Big Book of Jobs, an occupational therapist’s salary varies by their work environment, however in May 2006, the median earning was between $50,450 and $73,710. If the OT is employed by a hospital, government or public agency, then they receive several benefits; vacation and sick leave, health insurance and retirement benefits. Itamoto-Gaza works at Tripler Army Medical Center in the Physical Medical Clinic, Occupational Department, where she treats and works with active-duty soldiers, their families, and veterans. She enjoys it there, “it’s a good learning environment,” she says, a “good teaching institution [and] training facility” for anyone wanting to become a part of the field.

Itamoto-Gaza says her job is never boring since she deals with all types of patients. New experiences and challenges come everyday, mostly having to do with studying each patient’s case and “coming up with different therapy plans to meet their individual needs.” Taking the initiative to know the numerous therapy techniques and attending classes to become more educated about them also pose as a challenge to Itamoto-Gaza. Hearing this made me eager to know more, since ‘boring’ really isn’t my thing. This job was “definitely not what I expected,” she says, “the book work was a lot different from the actual hands-on work.” At first, she wasn’t sure if this job was going to be the right one for her. But, with good mentors to guide her along the way, it “really helped me to appreciate my job,” she says.

Among all jobs, being an occupational therapist has its own ups and downs. “Working with patients to motivate them to get well again and seeing them later, in good condition is a rewarding feeling…the patients are really appreciative of you; they remember you for the rest of their life,” Itamoto-Gaza explains when telling me about her favorite part of the job. However, she doesn’t care for the unpleasant smells she occasionally deals with, along with the fact that the job can be physically demanding. In addition, some patients suffer from psychiatric issues, which often interfere with their therapy. “Sometimes you just have to overcome your own feelings to help them,” Itamoto-Gaza says.

OTs treat all types of patients, from ones with permanent disabilities to people who need to redevelop minor motor skills. They also assist in the growth and development of premature infants and disabled children. Therapy sessions with each patient vary, depending on their individual needs. The typical patient completes one 45-60 minute session per day, but if they require more treatment, then it’s usually two to three 30 minute sessions per day. Overall, these rehabilitative appointments are fairly time intensive.

Having completed my research and interview with Mrs. Itamoto-Gaza, I’ve realized that what books tell you and what an actual OT tells you is quite different. Actual hands-on, life experiences and just plain words don’t really have much in common, except for the work basics of course. Personally, I think having the job as an occupational therapist ends up being really satisfying; you get to work with various types of people while at the same time making a positive difference in many of their lives and helping them to ‘bounce back’.