Do OT's have to be strong?

[NaCksm]

Hi,
I'm a junior in high school and I am looking at being a OT, PT, Nurse, or Doctor. My dream job is being some kind of doctor. I want to help people in life. But, I am a pretty short and small girl. Around 5'2 in height, 113 pounds, and pretty weak arm-muscle wise. Since being an OT and a PT we would have to carry patients around that cannot walk, so their whole weight is depends on us. Many overweight people or tall people will come to an OT. Will I have to be pretty strong or buff to be able to be an OT or PT?

Thank you!

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[caduceus27]

hi
welcome, its not true that OT & PT have to carry people around. so you dont have to be strong to be an OT or PT. People that cannot walk have wheel chairs.

 

[NaCksm]

hi
welcome, its not true that OT & PT have to carry people around. so you dont have to be strong to be an OT or PT. People that cannot walk have wheel chairs.

Thank you very much!
I heard it is still very physically demanding though. Is that true?

 

[superCOTA]

would it be sarcastic to point out that 80% of OT's are female?
Unless they are all burly weightlifters.... hehehe

Unlike nurses we are taught safe methods of lifting and trransfering patients. And if the going gets tough, the w h o l e department helps pulling someone up. Dont worry about it.

 

[JJW]

Just like SuperCota said, OTs are taught methods to perform safe transfers. I am not at all strong (especially in my upper body) but can transfer very large individuals. It is all about leverage. It takes practice, but you'll get it!