The White House Council of Economic Advisors recently released a report stating “health care is forecasted to remain a large source of job growth in the labor market” through 2016, according to a statement from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Bethesda, Md.

Preparing the Workers of Today for the Jobs of Tomorrow describes employers’ continuing need for employees who can “think critically and solve problems” and have a “post-secondary education.” AOTA says the reason occupational therapy continues receiving accolades by organizations such as US News & World Report as a “best” career is due—in part—to exactly these characteristics.

Penelope A. Moyers, EdD, OTR/L, BCMH, FAOT, AOTA’s president, is quoted in the statement as saying that OT practitioners are good communicators and listeners, compassionate, resourceful, creative, and motivated, adding that they want meaning in life, enjoy science and the arts, and have an interest in health care. 

A career as an OT requires a student to complete either a professional master’s degree or entry level doctoral degree. OT assistants earn an associate degree. All occupational therapy practitioners must complete supervised clinical fieldwork in a variety of health and educational settings. Passing a national certification and state regulation, including licensure, provide assurance of the authority of practitioners and protect the public, says AOTA.

The White House Council of Economic Advisors indicate in the report the growth in health care occupations does not take into account comprehensive health care reform, notes the AOTA statement. “Health care reform is expected to slow the growth rate of health spending as efficiency is improved. However, even with a slower growth rate of spending, the expected expansion of health coverage could lead to increased demand for workers…to cover the newly insured population,” AOTA cites the group as having stated. The report specifically mentions nonphysician clinicians, which would include occupational therapy.

Moyers suggests a different reason for the occupational therapy demand: Baby boomers are getting older, and they will need not only health care but also assistance living their lives to the fullest. That’s just what occupational therapy can provide—adjusting home design to meet changing needs and facilitate optimal activity, evaluating and providing training to improve diving skills as we age, and, of course, helping caregivers of those who are facing Alzheimer’s disease, she said in the statement.

[Source: AOTA]