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Occupational therapist
An occupational therapist is a job which offers a wide range of employment possibilities both in Poland and abroad. It involves supporting the development of people with disabilities by means of applying various methods of encouraging their independent struggle with every‑day life activities.
Such a therapist is mostly supposed to maintain positive contact with a mentee and their family, as well as with other people who surround them and the members of a therapeutic staff (a psychologist, a speech therapist, a physiotherapist, etc.). What is more, an occupational therapist diagnoses and determines the bio‑psycho‑social needs of a person whom they mentor. A therapist is also responsible for drawing an individually‑oriented plan of group and individual therapy. They must also arrange for the activities that aim at improving physical, mental, and social well‑being. A therapist is obliged to keep record of progress observed in their mentees.
Apart from the professional qualifications which must be proven with a special diploma, an occupational therapist should possess a number of character traits which seem to be extremely relevant in this profession. These are good manners, empathy, stress immunity, good interpersonal skills, planning ability, and determination. The abilities and knowledge gained through self‑study are equally important for a therapist can make use of them in various workshop classes (ceramics, art, or tailoring, etc.).
There are numerous institutions that offer employment to well‑qualified specialists. These are for example workshops for people with disabilities, hospital wards, community self‑help facilities, orphanages, therapeutic centres, convalescent homes, childcare facilities, and hospices. Best occupational therapists are those who have a strong sense of mission.