Occupational Therapy Support Worker Job Descriptions

Occupational therapy support workers, or rehabilitation assistants, work with qualified occupational therapists to help clients manage their daily activities. Clients may have mental, physical or social difficulties resulting from illness, an accident or the ageing process.
Occupational therapists will assess a client's particular needs and discuss ways to help them adapt or improve their situation. As an occupational therapy support worker, you would help clients to think positively and work towards agreed goals, observe their progress and provide regular feedback to qualified therapists. You could work with individuals or groups.
Examples of how you would work with clients include:
· supporting people with mental health problems to create a daily routine and take part in activities outside the home

· assisting children with physical disabilities to enjoy play activities
· helping people who have had a stroke or been in an accident to adjust to their disability
· Showing an older person how to use equipment to help them continue to carry out normal daily activities and remain living independently.

Key Skills
· the ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds
· patience and empathy
· good communication skills
 
· the ability to encourage people who may be frustrated at their rate of progress
· confidence and enthusiasm for times when work with clients does not have a positive result
· good time management skills and the ability to help clients organise their time
· practical skills, perhaps in cookery, woodwork or pottery
· the ability to keep clear, accurate records
· Good team working skills, and the ability to work alone.