Occupational therapy is a rewarding, effective career when you’re helping kids get to the next level and deal with day-to-day issues.
Pediatric occupational therapists also help children with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities live a better life.
This is an easy-to-follow article detailing the steps involved in becoming a pediatric occupational therapist and what you need to learn, how to practice, and which certifications are necessary to get started on this rewarding career.
What Is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists in pediatrics help children learn basic life skills. They focus on areas like:
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Sensory integration
- Cognitive development
- Social and emotional skills
They work with parents, teachers, and doctors to devise customized intervention programs that suit the child’s needs.
Step 1: Understand the Role
Before starting your career in this field, learn the main roles of a pediatric occupational therapist:
- Diagnosis: Identifying developmental needs and concerns of a child.
- Planning Treatments: Plan activities to increase abilities such as writing, self-care, and play.
- Working With Others: Working with parents, teachers, and other therapists.
- Logging Progress: Documenting progress so you can see if a child gets better.
It’s through the knowledge of the job that you can see if this is the profession for you.
Step 2: Earn a Preferable Bachelor’s Degree in the Subject
Choosing the Right Major
The requirement to become a pediatric occupational therapist is first a bachelor’s degree. No major is necessary, but a degree in any of the following fields is preferable:
- Psychology
- Biology
- Kinesiology
- Health Sciences
- Child Development
They are foundational programs in human anatomy, development, and behavior for occupational therapy.
Focus on Academics
There’s a race for admission to a graduate program in occupational therapy. Keep a good GPA, at least 3.0 or better, to make sure you get in.
Step 3: Get Work Experience in the Market
As you are working on your undergraduate degree, experience is the best teacher.
It not only makes you stand out more if you apply to a graduate program, but it also ensures that this is the career for you.
Volunteer or Shadow a Therapist
Find a clinic, hospital, or school in your town and volunteer or watch occupational therapists in action.
That will give you an idea of what their day-to-day work involves.
Work with Children
Seek out children to work with, e.g.,
- Babysitting
- Working at a disability camp with children
- Tutoring or teaching
These jobs demonstrate your passion for children (a huge part of pediatric occupational therapy).
Step 4: Earn a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
Enroll in an Accredited Program
You need a master’s degree from a program approved to be a registered occupational therapist.
In the US, it’s accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Key Coursework
The graduate programs contain both theoretical and applied content such as:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Pediatric Development
- Sensory Integration
- Therapeutic Techniques
And almost all programs also have fieldwork, in which you’ll shadow therapists who are licensed professionals to get practical experience.
Program Duration
A typical master’s degree takes 2–3 years to finish. Some universities even have a joint bachelor’s and master’s degree, which can reduce the time.
Step 5: Complete Clinical Fieldwork
Clinical fieldwork is part of occupational therapy training. This real-world training gives you the opportunity to put theory to work in the real world.
I & II Fieldwork – Phase I and II
- Level I Fieldwork: Basic experience for exposing students to occupational therapy environments.
- Level II Fieldwork: Full-time, intensive 12–24 weeks. You’ll work directly with kids in clinics, schools, or hospitals, practicing under supervision.
Use this to become a pediatric specialist by picking child-oriented placements.
Step 6: Clear the NBCOT Exam
You’ll have to pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam after your master’s degree to be a licensed occupational therapist.
Preparation Tips
- Study course material from your graduate school.
- Examine with mock tests given by NBCOT.
- Study groups, review courses: Join study groups.
Licensure
You may apply for licensure in your state once you take the NBCOT test. You will need to have a license in each state, so study it early on in your career.
Step 7: Receive Dedicated Training in Pediatrics
Pediatric Certifications
Consider earning certifications like:
- Certified Pediatric Occupational Therapist (CPOT)
- Sensory Integration Certification
- Feeding Therapy Certification
These are credentials that show you know your stuff about working with children.
Continuing Education
Join workshops, webinars, and conferences to stay up to date on the latest practices and research in pediatric occupational therapy.
Step 8: Get Your First Job
With your degree, your certification, and your license, you’re now certified and licensed to work.
Occupational therapists who specialize in children can find work in the following places:
- Hospitals: Rehab from surgery or injury for children.
- Colleges: Involving children who have developmentally delayed or able-bodied pupils.
- Private Clinics: Offer professional therapy.
- Early Intervention Programs: Baby and toddler work.
Job Search Tips
- Post jobs on job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn.
- Meet other graduate students and professors from your department.
- Mention your pediatric training and certifications on your CV.
Step 9: Cultivate Key Skills
To be successful in this field is more than just an education. Learn how to do these things really well:
- Being patient: Children, especially special needs children, take patience.
- Ingenuity: Creating activities that motivate children.
- Communication: Communicating therapy plans to parents and carers.
- Solving Problems: Tailoring to the individual children.
Step 10: Continue to Invest in Your Professional Development
Occupational therapy for children is a growing profession. Remain lifelong learners by:
- Pursuing advanced certifications
- Attending professional development courses
- Signing up for associations such as the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
These efforts help you not only become better, but you can even become a better worker.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to become a pediatric occupational therapist?
It’s usually 6–8 years: 4 years for a bachelor’s, 2–3 years for a master’s, with additional time for clinical practice and licensure.
2. How much does an occupational therapist working in children make on average?
The median income for occupational therapists is $86,000 a year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics; children’s specialists make similar salaries.
3. Is this a job I want?
If you love children, are an excellent communicator, and like to solve problems, pediatric occupational therapy might be the profession for you.
Conclusion
Getting into the profession of pediatric occupational therapy is not easy, but it’s an honor.
From obtaining the proper degrees to gaining work experience and passing certifications, each step gets you closer to changing children’s lives and their families.
If you do this whole thing, then you will have a good shot at a great job as an occupational therapist in pediatrics.
