Occupational Therapy Practice Settings: Where Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants Work
Occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) work in a variety of healthcare and community settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, schools, skilled nursing facilities, in-home healthcare settings, and community organizations. Although specific daily responsibilities can vary depending on the environment and patient population, in all of these settings, OTs and OTAs help individuals improve independence and participate in meaningful daily activities. Understanding occupational therapy practice settings can help you determine which career path best aligns with your interests.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people develop, recover, and maintain the skills needed for everyday life. These activities, or “occupations,” may include dressing, bathing, preparing meals, attending school, working, driving, and participating in hobbies or community activities.
People may benefit from occupational therapy after an illness, injury, surgery, developmental disability, neurological condition, mental health challenge, or age-related change. Rather than focusing only on a diagnosis, occupational therapy considers how physical, cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors affect a person’s ability to participate in daily life.
Occupational therapists evaluate patients, develop treatment plans, and monitor progress, while occupational therapy assistants provide therapeutic interventions under the supervision of an occupational therapist. Together, they help people build independence and improve quality of life.
Why Occupational Therapy Practice Settings Matter
One of the strengths of occupational therapy is the variety of settings in which professionals can practice. Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, in-home healthcare, and community organizations all serve different patient populations and present unique treatment goals.
Whether helping a patient recover after surgery, supporting a child in the classroom, or improving safety at home, occupational therapy professionals adapt their approach to meet each person’s needs. This variety allows many practitioners to find a work environment that aligns with their interests and career goals.
Hospital Occupational Therapy
Hospitals are one of the most common occupational therapy practice settings. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work with patients recovering from illnesses, injuries, surgeries, and neurological conditions, helping them regain the skills needed for everyday activities before returning home or transitioning to another level of care.
Treatment may include self-care activities, adaptive equipment training, mobility strategies, cognitive support, and discharge planning. Occupational therapy professionals also collaborate with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, case managers, and other healthcare providers to support patient recovery.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Centers
Inpatient rehabilitation centers help patients recover after serious illness or injury through intensive therapy. Occupational therapists evaluate progress and adjust treatment plans, while occupational therapy assistants provide therapeutic interventions that help patients rebuild the functional skills needed for greater independence.
Because patients often receive therapy over several weeks, rehabilitation settings offer opportunities to monitor progress and support long-term recovery.
Outpatient Occupational Therapy Clinics
Outpatient clinics help people continue recovering after illness, injury, or surgery while supporting their return to work, school, recreation, and other daily activities.
Occupational therapy professionals commonly work with patients experiencing orthopedic conditions, neurological disorders, chronic pain, arthritis, or hand injuries. Treatment may include therapeutic exercise, adaptive equipment training, fine motor activities, ergonomic education, and return-to-work planning.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities support individuals recovering after hospitalization as well as older adults managing chronic health conditions. Occupational therapy often focuses on everyday activities such as dressing, bathing, mobility, medication management, and cognitive strategies, while also recommending adaptive equipment and environmental modifications that promote safety and independence.
In-home Occupational Therapy
In-home occupational therapy allows professionals to evaluate and treat patients in their everyday environment. Working in the home helps occupational therapists identify barriers to daily activities and recommend practical solutions that improve safety and independence.
Services may include home safety assessments, fall prevention, adaptive equipment recommendations, caregiver education, and mobility training. Because every home is different, occupational therapy professionals often develop creative, individualized solutions that help patients remain as independent as possible.
School-Based Occupational Therapy
School-based occupational therapy helps students participate more successfully in classroom activities and school routines.
OTs work with children whose physical, developmental, sensory, or cognitive challenges affect their ability to learn and engage at school. Occupational therapy often focuses on fine motor development, handwriting, sensory processing, self-care skills, classroom participation, and assistive technology.
OTs collaborate with teachers, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, administrators, and families to support each student’s educational goals. Occupational therapy services may also be included in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), depending on their needs and eligibility.
For those who enjoy working with children, school-based practice offers opportunities to support students’ growth throughout the school year while helping them build skills for success both inside and outside the classroom.
Community-Based Occupational Therapy
Community-based occupational therapy helps people participate more fully in everyday life within their homes and communities. Depending on the setting, occupational therapy professionals may work with older adults, veterans, people with disabilities, or individuals recovering from illness or injury.
Services often focus on building independent living skills, improving community mobility, supporting vocational readiness, promoting wellness, and providing caregiver education. These programs allow occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to address the environmental and social factors that influence participation in daily activities.
Occupational Therapist vs. Occupational Therapy Assistant: How Responsibilities Differ
Although Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants often work side by side, their responsibilities differ based on education, licensure, and scope of practice.
Occupational Therapists generally:
- Evaluate patients
- Develop individualized treatment plans
- Establish treatment goals
- Modify interventions based on patient progress
- Supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Coordinate care with interdisciplinary healthcare teams
Occupational Therapy Assistants generally:
- Implement treatment plans developed by the Occupational Therapist
- Guide patients through therapeutic activities
- Monitor patient performance during treatment
- Document treatment sessions
- Report patient progress to the supervising Occupational Therapist
- Reinforce home programs and adaptive strategies
Because they work collaboratively, both OTs and OTAs play essential roles in helping patients achieve greater independence and participation in everyday life.
Occupational Therapy Education at Stanbridge University
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy, Stanbridge University offers two educational pathways based on your professional goals.
Students who want to become occupational therapists can explore the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, while those interested in becoming occupational therapy assistants can pursue the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program.
Both programs combine classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, simulation-based learning, and supervised fieldwork to help students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed for occupational therapy practice. While the curriculum and educational requirements differ based on the role, each program is designed to prepare graduates to work collaboratively across a variety of healthcare settings.
Learn more about the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program or the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program on the Stanbridge University website.³⁴
Occupational Therapy Career Outlook in California
Occupational therapy professionals play an important role in California’s healthcare workforce.
According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), employment for Occupational Therapists is projected to grow by approximately 20.5% between 2022 and 2032 in California. During the same period, employment for Occupational Therapy Assistants is projected to grow by approximately 33.3%, reflecting strong demand for rehabilitation professionals across hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and other practice settings.¹ ²
Employment opportunities, wages, and hiring demand vary based on employer, geographic location, experience, specialty area, and other factors. You can review the EDD’s occupational profiles for the most current workforce information in California.¹, ²
Is Occupational Therapy the Right Career for You?
Occupational therapy offers opportunities to work with people of all ages across a wide range of healthcare and community settings. Whether you’re interested in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, or in-home healthcare, the profession provides diverse career paths focused on helping others participate more fully in everyday life.
If you’re considering a career in occupational therapy, exploring educational pathways can help you determine which role best aligns with your interests and professional goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Occupational Therapists evaluate patients, establish treatment goals, develop intervention plans, and oversee patient care. Occupational Therapy Assistants implement treatment plans developed by the Occupational Therapist, provide therapeutic activities, monitor patient progress, and communicate treatment outcomes to the supervising Occupational Therapist.³
Occupational Therapists work in a variety of healthcare and community settings, including hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, schools, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare settings, and community organizations. The practice setting often influences patient populations, treatment approaches, and daily responsibilities.¹
There is no single best occupational therapy practice setting. The right environment depends on personal interests, preferred patient populations, and career goals. Some professionals enjoy the fast pace of hospitals, while others prefer schools, home healthcare, rehabilitation centers, or community-based practice.
Yes. According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), employment for Occupational Therapists is projected to grow approximately 20.5% between 2022 and 2032. The EDD also projects continued demand and employment growth for Occupational Therapy Assistants throughout California.¹ ²
Occupational Therapists typically earn a bachelor’s degree before completing a graduate-level occupational therapy program, such as a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT). Graduates then pursue certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and meet applicable state licensure requirements. ³
Occupational Therapy Assistants typically complete an accredited associate degree program, complete required fieldwork experiences, pass the NBCOT certification examination, and satisfy applicable state licensure requirements before entering professional practice. ⁴
Footnotes
¹ California Employment Development Department. Occupational Therapists Occupational Profile. https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/occExplorerQSDetails.asp?searchCriteria=occupational+therapist&careerID=&menuChoice=&geogArea=0601000000&soccode=291122&search=Explore+Occupation
² California Employment Development Department. Occupational Therapy Assistants Occupational Profile. https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/occExplorerQSDetails.asp?searchCriteria=occupational+therapist&careerID=&menuChoice=&geogArea=0601000000&soccode=312011&search=Explore+Occupation
³ Stanbridge University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program
https://www.stanbridge.edu/program/msot
⁴ Stanbridge University Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, https://www.stanbridge.edu/program/ota