How to reduce occupational diseases?

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The best thing you can do to protect yourself from contracting disease sounds too simple to most folks, but it's still true: wash your hands frequently.
To protect against diseases brought on by industrial gases, wastes and the like, there are a variety of protective devices that can do it. Which devices are appropriate depends on the contaminant(s) present at the work site. A simple paper mask might do it for a house painter using a power paint sprayer, while a completely enclosed hazmat suit with highly filtered air supply would be appropriate for someone working with chemically toxic waste. It's up to your employer to obtain the necessary guidance in this and then to provide the necessary protective devices and procedures for his/her employees.
That's what OSHA is for...  (+ info)

Where can I find a book of exercises occupational therapists can do with their patients?

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I am an occupational therapist and I used to have many pages of exercises for working with schoolchildren. Now I am working in geriatrics and I am coming across some patients with rather obscure diseases that I have never worked with before. Is there a book that details rehabilitative exercises you can do with patients, separated by illness or area of the body? Thanks.
Im not sure if this can help but its the one we use in school, its at this website.
http://www.amazon.com/Occupational-Therapy-Physical-Dysfunction-Radomski/dp/0781763126/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246567360&sr=1-2  (+ info)

how to prevent occupational diseases?

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i want some information regarding my question
if you work in health care there are such things as "Universal Precautions" they are to wash hands before and after contact with a patient, wearing gloves, gowns and maskes if needed but always wear gloves... and wash..wash..wash!!  (+ info)

To anyone involved w/ occupational therapy: What is the nature of occupational therapy?

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I'd like to hear about the specific duties of occupational therapists, what the job market is really like, and if occupational therapists find the career rewarding. Also, what kind of traits make a person a good occupational therapist?

(I am thinking of enrolling in an occupational therapy program after I graduate, and I would like to find out the information I can't obtain from the Occupational Outlook Handbook.)

Thank you!
As far as the duties of an OT, is really depends on the setting you practice in. I have worked in several different adult settings - you do anything from helping people wipe their rear ends to cook a meal. Basically - life skills. This can range from being in an acute setting and teaching a person who just had a hip replacement to use a sock aid to put their socks on to being in a rehab facility and helping someone who had a stroke regain functional use of their affected arm. OTs can work on community reintegration - reading bus schedules, money management, etc. They teach patients to maximize their safety and independence in all environments. I work primarily in home health and a rehab hospital. In home health, I work primarily on endurance, upper body strength, increasing a person's independence getting dressed, bathed, groomed, eating, toileting, getting in/out of bed, transfers (to/from the toilet, shower, recliner, etc), hand problems, cooking, cleaning, car transfers, and increasing safety (by environment adaptations) in the home. My advice would be to observe some OTs in different settings prior to making your decision.
The job market is awesome! There is a huge need for OTs now - At the rehab hospital, I make $45/hour and doing home health, I make an average of $70 per visit (which generally lasts from 40 - 60 minutes).
It is a very rewarding job - especially when you see an improvement in your patients!
As far as traits - definately a people person, someone with a good amount of patience, someone who can be empathtic to what their patients are going through without becoming overly involved, someone with the ability to motivate people, and a good problem solver.
Good luck!  (+ info)

How do I become an Occupational Therapist?

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I want to become an occupational therapist. I am currently going into my sophomore year of college and for the past year I have been enrolled in physical education teacher classes at a four year school. I am now transfering to a two year school because they have the two year pre-occupational therapy transfer program. My question is do I find another pre-occupational therapy program to go to for two more years after I am done there? Or am I done with that part and have to find an actual Occupational therapy school?
stay where you are and get a BS degree. You do not need pre OT. Contact the school intrested in as to what pre reqs you need.

www.aota.org  (+ info)

What does it take to become an occupational therapist?

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I graduated with a BS in Media Studies but I'm thinking of becoming an occupational therapist. Most schools consider this a major. Has anyone gone down this road and how much work/how long do you think it will take to get certified?
Step 1In order to apply to a graduate program in occupational therapy, first you need to earn a bachelor degree.If you are still in college, you may start to take science courses, like chemistry, biology, anatomy, psychology.English and speech courses can be very helpful, because as a occupational therapist you will work with people and you need to have excellent communicational skills.Try to maintain a high GPA as almost all occupational therapy programs require an at least 3.0 general GPA and 3.5 GPA in science courses.

Step 2While still in college or after that try to volunteer or even work in a healthcare environment.During this time, try to obtain at least two recommendation letters, because you will need them in the application process.Occupational therapy programs give priority to people with degrees or experience in the healthcare field in the admission process ,so the best combination would be to have a degree in healthcare (for example nursing) and some work experience when you apply.

Step 3Once admitted in the program, keep in mind that the academic schedule can be quite intensive, and you might not be able to work fulltime in order to keep up.Occupational therapy programs can be completed in 2 and a half years to 3 years full time (75-80 credits).In addition to classroom work, students must complete an equivalent of 24 weeks of supervised experience working with clients.

Step 4Once you finished your masters or doctoral degree and your supervised work, there is one more step before you can actually work as a occupational therapist: certification.To be certified, you need to take and pass the NBCOT exam.After passing this exam you will be given the designation Registered Occupational Therapist and you can put the initials OTR after your name.  (+ info)

What is the difference between physiotherapist and occupational therapist?

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What do physiotherapist do in an everyday job? What do occupational therapist do in an everyday job?
I really wish that people who did not know the answer would stop putting up wrong info!!
A PT and an OT both work on strengthening, balance, and increased independence. Depending on the setting a PT would work on le strengthening amd walking and an OT would work on being able to complete daily life tasks (dressing, bathing, cooking, money management) and ue strengthening. The two disciplines overlap a bit but are very valuable.  (+ info)

What is the field of occupational therapy like?

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I am considering working as an occupational therapy and I would like to know some more information about the field. I have read the occupational outlook handbook, but I feel like the description of it is really broad. I would love to hear any personal stories if anyone would like to share.

For therapists, what kind of work do you do with your patients?
For patients, what was your therapy like? What activities did you do for what?
I starred because I'm also interested in going into the field of occupational therapy and would like to learn more about it. I hope you don't mind! Take care. :)  (+ info)

What is the definition of occupational therapy?

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I want to know about occupational therapy and more about studying occupational therapy for high school and high education.
See below for a definition of OT. I am an occupational therapist and I have worked in a couple different settings. In the school systems, OTs can work on tasks such as improving (or teaching) handwriting, helping a child attend better to tasks, sit still, tie shoe laces, cut, button their pants, coats, etc. even help them learn to play on the playground.

In acute care settings, we can help people who are in comas or who are very low level by doing sensory stimulation - using smells, touch, motion to help stimulate them. We can give exercises to increase strength and range of motion. WE can teach someone to sit up on the side of the bed, stand up, transfer to the toilet.

In a rehab setting we can help someone who has becomes paralyzed learn to eat using adaptive equipment, transfer using a sliding board. Or teach someone who has had a stroke to dress with one hand, increase any visual deficits that may have occured from the stroke, and to increase function in the affected arm. Or to educate a patient who recently had their hip replaced to dress themselved with adaptive equipment while adhering to hip precautions.

In a hand therapy clinic, they may help someonce increase usage in their hand after cutting a tendon (or in my case once a man who cut half-way through his pinky and thumb and clear through the other 3 fingers. They were reattached and I got to help teach him to use his hand again!)

In a nursing home, you often work with people who have gotten run down from a simple illness such as a urinary tract infection. In this case, you teach them energy conservation techniques and increase overstrength and activity tolerance.

In a pediatric clinic, you can do lots of things with kids, that seems like play. After all, occupational therapists address occupations - which in a child is PLAY!!! They may play Hungry Hungry Hippos to work on fine motor skills or hand-eye coordination. They may make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to work on sequencing and a child tolerating different textures in their mouth.

There is soooo many different things OT does. That is why it is such a great field to go into. If you get burned out in one setting you can do a different area. Plus, consumer reports lists it as one of the top ten jobs this year and the need for OTs is anticipated to continue grow with the baby boomers getting older.



Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapy assists people in developing the "skills for the job of living" necessary for independent and satisfying lives. Services typically include:

Customized treatment programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities
Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations
Performance skills assessments and treatment
Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
Guidance to family members and caregivers
Some of the health conditions that benefit from occupational therapy include

Work-related injuries including lower back problems or repetitive stress injuries
Limitations following a stroke or heart attack
Arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or other serious chronic conditions
Birth injuries, learning problems, or developmental disabilities
Mental health or behavioral problems including Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress
Problems with substance use or eating disorders
Burns, spinal cord injuries, or amputations
Broken bones or other injuries from falls, sports injuries, or accidents
Vision or cognitive problems that threaten the ability to drive  (+ info)

I have been referred to occupational health through work can I ask to see my employers referal letter?

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I am being treated for depression & have been off work since January with my latest severe bout my employer says that I cannot return to work until I have seen occupational health. Should I be concerned?
i was referred to a occupational health through work and she told me why i had been referred if you ask the occupational health person when you go and see her i am sure she will tell you .. i would not be to concerned about it i have been off for over 7 months with depression i have seen the occupational health 3 times so far .... hope all goes okay for you good luck ...........  (+ info)

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