The job description of a travel occupational therapist (OT) is similar to that of an on-site occupational therapist in that he or she performs the same basic tasks. The therapist’s work focuses on assisting people of all ages in developing, regaining, or maintaining functional skills in their physical, mental, emotional, and/or social lives. The main goal of an occupational therapist is to improve a client’s quality of life and independence in performing daily tasks. The obvious distinction between the two positions is that the travel occupational therapist works from multiple locations rather than from a single office. This required travel may be within the same region, allowing the OT to commute, or it may necessitate a national or international relocation for a temporary position.
An occupational therapist’s focus as a member of the allied health workforce is on the clients to whom he or she provides therapy. One occupational therapist might work with children in school-based programs, while another might work in nursing homes with senior citizens. Other occupational therapists may work with clients of various ages in both hospitals and private practices. Helping clients improve their motor skills, range of motion, and reasoning abilities, as well as assisting them in learning new skills to compensate for lost abilities, are the main responsibilities.
Of course, the ability and desire to travel rather than work in one location are among the job requirements for a travel occupational therapist. A travel OT is required to have a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, if not a master’s degree. In addition, he or she must pass a national certification exam and meet any mandatory education and certification requirements for advanced or specialty areas of expertise. In addition, the travel OT must keep his or her license up to date and obtain licenses from specific destinations before starting work there.
Occupational therapist jobs, like many other health-related careers, are plentiful and pay well, with pay varying depending on years of experience and location. A travel occupational therapist earns more money because he or she is willing to travel to and live in different places. A travel occupational therapist in the United States, for example, could earn around $86,000 per year, according to data from July 2011. These therapists typically receive benefits, paid expenses, travel reimbursement, and ongoing educational opportunities in addition to high pay. A career as an occupational therapist would appeal to anyone with valid training who desires the adventure of traveling to different regions, if not countries, to make a difference in people’s lives.