Occupational Therapist Ranked 3rd in Best Healthcare Jobs of 2013

As the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) start to be implemented, hiring in the healthcare industry is expected to generate the largest number of jobs compared to all other industries by 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies projects a 31% growth rate in total US healthcare employment in the next decade. As more people become insured, the more there will be a need for different kinds of services, ranging from direct care to research and maintenance of medical records.

CareerCast analyzed survey data that weighed stress, physical demands, and both the current and future employment outlook of 200 occupations. Coming in at #3 for best healthcare jobs of 2013 was occupational therapist. Occupational therapy services help patients regain functional mobility and relearn everyday physical skills that were lost due to physical, psychological, or developmental disabilities. An occupational therapist focuses on the activities of daily living. Occupational therapists take great care in evaluating a resident to determine how that person’s cognitive and functional abilities, limb movements, coordination, mobility, fine motor skills, balance and vision affect his or her ability to perform tasks.

Occupational Therapist Ranked 3rd in Best Healthcare Jobs of 2013

[responsive][/responsive]The ranking is based on data that weighted stress, physical demands, and both the current and future employment outlook across 200 occupations from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Overall score: 166

Annual median salary: $75,400

BLS projected growth (through 2020): 33%

Work environment score: 52

Stress score: 13

What they do: Develop individualized programs of activity for mentally, physically, developmentally and emotionally impaired persons, to aid them in achieving self-reliance.