Want to be an OT? Here are 8 traits that make occupational therapists effective. To begin with, they’re imaginative, genuine, collaborative, and versatile. Keep reading to find out more and to discover whether you’ve got what it takes!

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  <div>
    If you&rsquo;re an occupational therapist&mdash;or you&rsquo;re aspiring to
    become one&mdash;you know the rewards of the career are extensive. OTs help
    people across a spectrum of abilities function in their daily lives.
    Occupational therapists help students, patients, and clients recover, grow,
    and strengthen the skills needed for everyday living.
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    If you decide to take your occupational therapy skillset into schools to
    help kids who need your specialized services, you&rsquo;ll find the joy of
    bringing OT to students. Your occupational therapy services will not only
    help them function at school but also in their everyday lives beyond the
    educational environment.
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    Whether you work with infants, children, younger adults, or seniors,
    you&rsquo;ll want to cultivate specific skills to become an effective OT.
    Here are the top 8 traits we see in successful occupational therapists.
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    <li>
      <strong>Imaginative</strong> &ndash; If you provide OT services for
      children, it is essential to remember that kids may become discouraged or
      may not be able to comprehend why they need OT services. After all, some
      of the activities you will be practicing with them will just seem like
      basic life functions (such as handwriting). Therefore, it&rsquo;s vital to
      tap into your creative side and to develop activities which may seem like
      fun things to do but are also essential for the
      <a
        href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/ot-assessment-tools-for-face-to-face-and-virtual-ot"
        >occupational therapy assessment</a
      >, evaluation, and treatment plan for the child.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Genuine</strong> &ndash; Children are especially attuned to
      sincerity in adults. When you convey kindness and compassion, it will go a
      long way and will not go unnoticed. This is especially true for children
      who have limited speech or who are non-verbal. Kids pick up on body
      language and visual cues. Stay positive during each session, and their
      therapy will reflect accordingly.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Collaborative</strong> &ndash; Remember it takes a village! If
      you&rsquo;re a
      <a
        href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/employee-spotlight-valerie-e"
        >school OT</a
      >, you will need to effectively communicate with a team to discuss the
      overall progress of each child. It&rsquo;s not uncommon for children to
      receive services from a physical therapist or speech-language pathologist
      in addition to an occupational therapist. You&rsquo;ll also need to work
      collaboratively with parents, teachers, administrators, and more.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Versatile</strong> &ndash; Occupational therapists provide
      services in multiple environments, including early intervention, home
      health, private practice, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities,
      hospitals and of course,
      <a
        href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/employee-spotlight-laura-calderoni-substitute-teacher"
        >educational systems</a
      >. This array of options allows your versatility to shine. As an OT, you
      can serve patients across the lifespan &ndash; from infancy through old
      age.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Principled</strong> &ndash; As a licensed professional
      occupational therapist, you must always hold yourself to the highest moral
      and ethical standards. It&rsquo;s not always easy to do the right thing,
      but it&rsquo;s imperative. Children and their families are counting on you
      to be truthful about what treatments are necessary, what their progress
      has been, and when services are no longer required. When faced with
      difficult situations such as parents pushing for more services for their
      child that aren&rsquo;t necessary or a school pushing you to end services
      for children based on funding, its crucial you always do the right thing.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Energetic</strong> &ndash; Bring your energy with you! Remember,
      you set the tone with your voice, demeanor, and expressions. Aim to carry
      productive and positive energy into your workspace. This is not always
      easy, as you may be on your feet for hours at a time. But energy is
      contagious, and wearing a smile on your face can put a smile on your
      patients&rsquo; faces as well.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Perceptive</strong> &ndash; Children communicate in a variety of
      ways, sometimes with something as simple as a frown or a dip in their
      eyebrows. Attempt to be perceptive, as it&rsquo;s not always clear why
      children refrain from participating or completing some of the exercises.
      Sometimes, it&rsquo;s as simple as being bored with the activity or having
      a bad day at school. Picking up on little things also helps you when
      evaluating the child overall. Your colleagues may be able to give you
      insight into specific behaviors and their potential causes, which in turn
      could be your duty to advocate for additional or a different service.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Tenacious</strong> &ndash; Some days will be exhausting. Some
      sessions will feel as if the perceived progress has disappeared.
      It&rsquo;s pertinent to remember your goal of improving a child&rsquo;s
      life. Keep growing, improving, and
      <a
        href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/no-cost-continuing-education-courses-for-school-based-ots"
        >developing professionally as an occupational therapist</a
      >. This will give you the motivation to stay consistent, persevere, and
      start fresh each day!
    </li>
  </ol>

  <div>
    Do you have what it takes to be a successful occupational therapist? Then
    bring your skills to help kids who need you most in a
    <a
      href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/job-search-results?what=ot&amp;where="
      >school OT job</a
    >
    with Cross Country Education!
  </div>
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8 Skills You’ll Need to be a Successful Occupational Therapist