Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy (OT) involves the therapeutic use of everyday life activities with individuals or groups for the purpose of participation in occupations and roles in home, school, workplace, community, and other settings.
Veteran Health Administration (VHA) Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) provide state-of-the-art and evidence-based care to Veterans and Services members. Occupational Therapy provides services that promote health and wellness to those Veterans who have, or are at risk for developing, an injury, illness, disease or condition spanning physical, cognitive, sensory, and psychosocial domains. Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatment supports Veterans' engagement in everyday life activities that affect their physical, mental health and well-being.
VHA employs more than 1,300 Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapist Assistants. Occupational therapy services are provided at over 200 VHA sites of care, including:
- Occupational TherapyOutpatient clinics
- Inpatient settings
- Community living centers
- Veterans' homes
- Tele-rehabilitation
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Occupational Therapy covers a broad spectrum of neurological, orthopedic, medical, surgical, and mental (behavioral) health conditions. Many VHA sites also include specialty services proved by Occupational Therapy, examples include:
- Driving and Community Mobility
- Low Vision
- Falls Prevention
- Assistive Technology
- Wheelchair Seating and Mobility
- Ergonomics
- Health and Wellness
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Pain Management
- Women's Health
- Lymphedema Management
- Productive Aging
- Home Modification
- Hand Therapy
- Community Reintegration
Education
VHA Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapist Assistants must have graduated from a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Entry-level Occupational Therapy degrees include:
Associate degree in Occupational Therapy (Occupational Therapy Assistant)
Bachelors of Science degree in Occupational Therapy (Occupational Therapist) if graduated before 2007
Master's degree in Occupational Therapy (Occupational Therapist)
Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy (Occupational Therapist)
VA Central Office Occupational Therapy Discipline Lead
Deborah Voydetich, OTR/L, SCLV
Occupational Therapy Field Advisory Council
The Occupational Therapy Field Advisory Council (FAC) is a group of field-based, clinical leaders in Occupational Therapy who advise the Occupational Therapy Discipline Lead, in areas of strategic planning, national objectives, and professional trends relevant to Occupational Therapy services within the Department of Veteran Affairs. Additionally the FAC provides guidance to the field and helps shape VHA policy and procedures on matters relevant to VHA Occupational Therapy services. A primary charge to the FAC is to ensure active collaboration between VHA and field operations in Occupational Therapy services.
Occupational Therapy Career Guide
For more information about VHA OT career opportunities visit MyCareer@VA Occupational Therapy Career Guide.
Additional Resources
- American Occupational Therapy Association
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Therapy Fact Sheet
- Occupational Therapy Mental Health Fact Sheet
