Exploring recruitment strategies to hire occupational therapists

Recruitment issues in occupational therapy have been a long-standing concern for the profession.

This descriptive study explored the strategies currently being used by employers to recruit occupational therapists for employment purposes.

An 18-item survey was mailed to 251 sites where occupational therapists work in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

There was a 64% response rate and data from 130 surveys were analyzed. The results indicate that employers continue to rely on a wide variety of strategies for advertising and recruiting, the most prevalent being word of mouth, postings at universities, and providing student fieldwork placements. In turn, the most effective recruitment strategies were listed as word of mouth, advertising in the general media, and providing student fieldwork placements. Various examples of financial incentives offered by employers were also listed. Many participants identified recent changes in recruitment strategies such as making a move towards web site job postings. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. The results suggest strategies for employers to target for recruiting occupational therapists and illustrate to both employers and students the importance of fieldwork in recruitment and hiring.