Helps enable people to perform everyday activities, a lot that we take for granted, such as putting on our socks or taking a shower. OTs help people lead independent lives, which is very rewarding. You can work in: Hospitals, Hospice Care, Outpatient Clinics, Rehab Clinics, Mental Health, Community Centers, Rural Health, Schools….etc. Types of patients/dx you might see: Autism, Amputation, Disfigurement, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Quadrapalygic, Cardiac issues, Dementia…the list goes on. There is a shortage of OTs nation wide, and this will increase as the baby boomers age.

The best thing I can suggest, and I absolutely suggest it, is go job shadow with an OT to see exactly what they do. I am job shadowing with 3 OTs right now, and there is far more to it than I had first thought. I have to have 30 hours of observations before I can get accepted into the OT program.

My mom on the other hand, loves her job too. She works in ICU & on the neuro floor at a hospital. My mom is very dedicated to her work, and usually puts in about a 10+ hour day. She has to see a lot, and deal with/make decisions for people. The pay for an OT will be higher, and you will be a practioner. In social work, my mom sets up transfers for people, hotlines people who she thinks are neglecting/abusing their kids, and she works closely with the healthcare team. She rotates with other social workers to be “on call” over the weekends/nights. (Does not mean you would be at another health setting).

I really think you should go job shadow with both OT and Social Work to see which you could see yourself doing. They both are one-on-one, but OTs are hands on. Good luck with your decision!