Name Trish Pletzer
Age 29
Practises Privately

What does an occupational therapist (OT) do?
Occupational therapy is about getting a person back to physical health after illness or an accident. We focus on the components of function people need to carry out dayto-day activities, such as eating or getting dressed.

Where and what did you study?
I did a four-year honours degree in occupational therapy at Stellenbosch University. I specialised in hand therapy and did accreditation courses in hand trauma and wrist injuries.

Are there any school subjects that can equip you for this career?
Biology, because you need a knowledge of anatomy.

Describe a typical day at work.
I see about six people a day. My patients have either injured their hands or have an illness such as arthritis that affects their hands. I’ll do a thorough assessment and then decide on a suitable treatment plan, which may involve making a splint or manipulating their joints and stretching out soft tissue to improve movement or reduce pain.

Is it easy to find work as an OT in South Africa?
No, it’s not. But, having said that, doing your one-year community ser vice after you graduate can open up a lot of doors.

Is the job financially rewarding?
Occupational therapy is much more about job satisfaction than financial gain. There’s potential to earn comfortably, but this is directly proportional to the amount of work you put in.

What traits should an OT have?
You need to be able to work with people, be empathetic and have lots of patience. An innate love of helping people will also stand you in good stead.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Being able to educate and motivate patients and see how empowered they feel as soon as they notice any improvement or regain some function.

Is there anything you don’t like about being an OT?
It can be emotionally taxing. Visiting a patient to make sure their home is safe for them is stressful – you constantly worry about them. While I’m still guilty of this, it’s important for occupational therapists to leave work at work.

What advice do you have for aspiring OTs?
It’s a calling and once you get a taste of it you will either love it or hate it – but you absolutely need to love it. Work hard and use every opportunity to gain experience.

FACT CHECK
You can study occupational therapy at various tertiary institutions in SA, provided you meet the necessary criteria. To find out which universities in your area offer degrees and what the requirements are, contact the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa via www.otasa.org.za.