Understanding the Role of an OT
Occupational Therapists (OTs) are versatile professionals whose work extends far beyond the traditional definition of “occupation” as paid employment. For OTs, occupation encompasses all tasks that are meaningful or essential to an individual’s life, whether they involve work, daily living, or leisure activities.
“As OTs, we define ‘occupation’ as tasks that are meaningful or essential to the individual,” explains Jason Darbyshire, an experienced OT and Workplace Rehabilitation Consultant. “For us, occupation can be leisure activities, activities of daily living, or vocational tasks.”
This philosophy allows OTs to work across the lifespan, from paediatric settings to aged care, and within various health sectors, including the literal occupational health space.
Key Areas of Practice for OTs
As an OT and workplace rehabilitation consultant, Jason highlights three core areas of practice in his day-to-day work:
- Workplace Rehabilitation
- Supporting individuals to recover from injuries or illnesses and return to their roles safely.
- Assessing workplace environments to identify and address barriers to recovery.
- Injury Prevention
- Proactively assessing risks to prevent injuries before they occur.
- Recommending ergonomic adjustments and adaptive equipment to create safer workspaces.
- Maximising Functional Capacity
- Helping people perform at their best by addressing physical, mental, and environmental factors.
- Encouraging skill development and fostering resilience to meet workplace demands.
The Relationship Between OTs and OEPs
Occupational and Environmental Physicians (OEPs) and Occupational Therapists often work independently but can collaborate effectively when supporting workers recovering from illness or injury.
“In workplace rehabilitation, my role is about getting people back to the things that are important to them,” Jason explains. “It’s about looking at function and tasks—recommending adaptive equipment or modifying tasks to enable people to perform their roles.”
While OTs focus on function, OEPs concentrate on medical risks and capacity, providing evidence-based treatment and defining medical restrictions within a workplace context.
“Together, we strike a balance between functional capacity and medical restrictions,” Jason notes. “OEPs bring the medical expertise, while OTs focus on helping individuals adapt and thrive in their environments.”
The Psychosocial Safety Perspective
Occupational Therapists are well-known for their functional assessments, such as Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs), ergonomic reviews, and job dictionaries. However, OTs also adopt a bio-psycho-social approach, addressing psychological and environmental factors that influence a person’s ability to perform.
“We ask how we can help people function at their best,” Jason explains. “This might involve skill development, boosting functional capacity, or addressing psychological factors that impact the person and their role.”
This approach is particularly relevant in today’s workplace, where psychosocial safety has become a major focus.
OTs in Action: Responding to Pandemic Challenges
Editor’s Note: The pandemic-related information in this section reflects conditions and workplace challenges as understood at the time of the article’s original publication in 2021. Given the evolving nature of COVID-19, workplace strategies, regulations, and best practices may have changed. We recommend consulting the most current guidelines and resources for up-to-date information.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges for OTs, especially those supporting customer-facing workers.
“The pandemic has increased societal uncertainty and stress, leading to more aggressive customer interactions,” Jason reflects. “We’ve stepped in to provide confidential debriefing and coaching services for these workers.”
By helping workers reconnect with their values and debrief after stressful situations, OTs have played a crucial role in maintaining mental well-being during unprecedented times.
The Essential Role of Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapists are vital contributors to workplace health and beyond, offering holistic, practical, and adaptive solutions to help individuals achieve their full potential. Whether they are supporting recovery, promoting psychosocial safety, or enabling better functionality, OTs are committed to improving lives across diverse settings.
If you’re looking for workplace rehabilitation or occupational health support, contact Phoenix Occupational Medicine today to learn more about our services.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2021 and reflects the industry landscape at that time. Since then, Jason has transitioned from his role as a workplace rehabilitation consultant. While the content remains valuable, some updates have been made to ensure relevance.
Jason Darbyshire, Occupational Therapist and Workplace Rehabilitation Consultant with Strive Occupational Rehabilitation
