Occupational therapists work with individuals and populations to increase and improve daily function, enhance and support health and development, and prevent disability both through the improvement of individual performance and by adapting tasks and the environment.

They collaborate with individuals and their families to create daily routines and activities that maximize their physical, cognitive and social growth.  Career opportunities for occupational therapists are varied; they function as clinicians, educators, consultants, researchers, administrators, and private practitioners and entrepreneurs. Their work environment is diverse. They can work in hospital settings, community health programs, rehabilitation centers, schools and early childhood programs, nursing homes, home health care, private practice, college and university faculties, the military services, Public Health Service, Veterans Administration, and other government agencies.