Career mistakes an occupational therapist should avoid

As an occupational therapist, you have a lot going for you. You likely have a secure job in a great field with plenty of opportunities to professionally advance. According to the United State Department of Labor, the 2010 median pay for an occupational therapist was $72,320 a year, or $34.77 an hour. Occupation experts for the agency have predicted a job growth rate of 33 percent, much faster than average.

Despite all of these positive features, you may still need to be wary of certain actions that could negatively impact your professional success. Here are three career mistakes to avoid:

1. Failing to develop your professional skills. Regardless of whether you are just starting out or have years of experience, you should keep your skills sharp. To remain a competitive force in the marketplace, you need to remain open to new ways of thinking while still focusing on perfecting industry standards. Even if you are planning to remain in the same position, you need to develop your skills and consistently show your superiors why you are the ideal worker.

2. Making work about you. While you play a vital role in the functionality of your medical office, you must also realize that the business is not solely about you. A hospital or rehabilitation clinic is not about what you want, what you like, or what you think of your coworkers or a patient. Instead make sure to focus on the job at hand and what is most important, which is providing the best quality of patient care.

3. Not having a plan. Many successful people have a clear and defined life plan. Sometimes these individuals have the plan written down or memorized.  Take the time to identify what you want out of life and a career and then nurture the idea and refer to your  game plan before making large life decisions. You can craft a career plan and try to stick to it as best as possible, but remember that deviations will crop up and you may have to adjust your perspective along the way.