Occupational Therapists at Hospitals Highlight Career Options in Health Care

Occupational therapists (OTs) at the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) are hosting a range of activities this week to highlight their profession and to encourage Bermudian students to seek career paths in this exciting field.

There will be lunchtime open houses on Monday and Tuesday in the lobbies at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) and Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI), as well as an OT promotion table set up in the Washington Mall on Wednesday between 10:00am and 2:00pm.

OTs at both hospitals work with patients who suffer from physical or mental illness or are recovering from a severe injury. They help build physical and psychological strength and enable patients to overcome the affects of disability, while adjusting to everyday living. OTs also counsel patients on coping with temporary or permanent disability and the varied demands of daily life.

Scott Burns, an OT at MWI, said, “We work with people to improve and maintain health and well being through engagement in activities and occupations. We are experts in understanding the impact of impairment or disability on daily life. We pride ourselves on finding unique solutions to unique problems.”

“Restore, compensate and adapt” are the cornerstones to therapies offered by OTs. By learning skills for everyday living, patients gain the needed tools to lead independent and satisfying lives.

This week’s events will give Bermudian students a chance to learn more about an exciting career choice that is in high demand all over the world. “OTs are needed globally- there are immediate job vacancies in the Bermuda, the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries,” said Mr. Burns. “The nature of the work is varied and gives OTs an opportunity to interact with clients of all ages, including infants and senior citizens. It is never boring!”

With an educational background in biology, physiology and psychology, OTs complete a bachelors or master’s degree, as well as supervised clinical experience. There are dozens of OTs practicing in Bermuda, at both hospitals, as well as with the Ministry of Health and Family Services and in private practice.

In addition to helping patients recover from illness and injury, OTs help employees deal with work-related problems by adapting work stations and teaching proper computer use and correct positioning.

Hayley Outerbridge, an OT at KEMH said, “It is a caring profession where activity, effective communication and creativity blend together to enhance the quality of a client’s life.”

For more information about exciting career options in Occupational Therapy, visit these websites: http://bdahospitals.wpengine.com/careers/healthcare-careers.html or www.bota.bm

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