Hard Skills:
Many skills, hard and soft, are needed in order to be an occupational therapist. Hard skills, or technical skills, are learned in college and through other life experiences, and are crucial for any medical career. Occupational therapists are required to know all of the core medical information and facts needed to do their jobs. In addition, they must also learn written communication skills, technology skills, cognitive skills, advanced verbal communication skills, and intense motor skills. Written skills are needed to write and record information efficiently; many records are through computers so one must know how to use the provided technology. Therapists must be able to problem solve, analyze data, use computers, record and store data, and diagnose; those are all cognitive skills. Hard skills, such as these, are needed to be an OT.
Soft Skills:
“Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, job performance, and career prospects… soft skills are interpersonal and broadly applicable” (Rouse). Many soft skills, like adaption skills, interpersonal skills, stress management skills, observational skills, and the desire to help others, are needed to be an occupational therapist. New treatments are discovered regularly, so one must be able to adapt to new ways of treating patients. Interpersonal skills are all about communicating well; managing stress, while not easy, is crucial to the job. Pediatric occupational therapist, Lori Griffith, stated that one must have good “people skills.” She also said that one must have a passion of “caring for others,” and that “time management” is a must.
Many skills, hard and soft, are needed in order to be an occupational therapist. Hard skills, or technical skills, are learned in college and through other life experiences, and are crucial for any medical career. Occupational therapists are required to know all of the core medical information and facts needed to do their jobs. In addition, they must also learn written communication skills, technology skills, cognitive skills, advanced verbal communication skills, and intense motor skills. Written skills are needed to write and record information efficiently; many records are through computers so one must know how to use the provided technology. Therapists must be able to problem solve, analyze data, use computers, record and store data, and diagnose; those are all cognitive skills. Hard skills, such as these, are needed to be an OT.
Soft Skills:
“Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, job performance, and career prospects… soft skills are interpersonal and broadly applicable” (Rouse). Many soft skills, like adaption skills, interpersonal skills, stress management skills, observational skills, and the desire to help others, are needed to be an occupational therapist. New treatments are discovered regularly, so one must be able to adapt to new ways of treating patients. Interpersonal skills are all about communicating well; managing stress, while not easy, is crucial to the job. Pediatric occupational therapist, Lori Griffith, stated that one must have good “people skills.” She also said that one must have a passion of “caring for others,” and that “time management” is a must.