Occupational therapist assistants and aides work under the supervision of occupational therapists to provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments. The ultimate goal is to improve clients' quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. For example, occupational therapist assistants help injured workers re-enter the labor force by teaching them how to compensate for lost motor skills or help individuals with learning disabilities increase their independence.
Related job titles are: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant-Licensed (COTA-L), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Occupational Therapist Assistant, Behavior Specialist, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant/Licensed (COTA/L), or Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Search by ZIP code for an Accredited College or School that offers the Classes, Associate, Bachelor, or Master Degree Program you need!
Be sure to learn if the colleges participate in any
Federal Student Aid Programs!
Important Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree Information -Top of Page-
- Typical entry-level education for occupational therapist assistants is an associate degree; in contrast, occupational therapist aides usually receive their training on the job.
- Many States regulate the practice of occupational therapist assistants either by licensing, registration, or certification; requirements vary by State.
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than average as demand for occupational therapist services rises and as occupational therapists increasingly use assistants and aides.
- Job prospects should be very good for occupational therapist assistants; jobseekers holding only a high school diploma might face keen competition for occupational therapist aide jobs.
How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant make in Salary? || Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay -Top of Page-
Median annual wages of occupational therapist assistants were $48,230 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned a salary of between $39,240 and $57,810. The lowest 10 percent earned a salary of less than $31,150, and the highest 10 percent earned a salary of more than $65,160.
Median annual wages of occupational therapist aides were $26,960 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned a salary of between $21,930 and $33,340. The lowest 10 percent earned a salary of less than $17,850, and the highest 10 percent earned a salary of more than $46,910.
What Does an Occupational Therapy Assistant Do?
Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs, Job Description, and Responsibilities -Top of Page-
Occupational therapist assistants help clients with rehabilitative activities and exercises outlined in a treatment plan developed in collaboration with an occupational therapist. Activities range from teaching the proper method of moving from a bed into a wheelchair to the best way to stretch and limber the muscles of the hand. Assistants monitor an individual's activities to make sure that they are performed correctly and to provide encouragement. They also record their client's progress for the occupational therapist. If the treatment is not having the intended effect, or the client is not improving as expected, the therapist may alter the treatment program in hopes of obtaining better results. In addition, occupational therapist assistants document the billing of the client's health insurance provider.
Occupational therapist aides typically prepare materials and assemble equipment used during treatment. They are responsible for a range of clerical tasks, including scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, restocking or ordering depleted supplies, and filling out insurance forms or other paperwork. Aides are not regulated by States, so the law does not allow them to perform as wide a range of tasks as occupational therapist assistants.
Working Conditions for Occupational Therapy Assistants -Top of Page-
Occupational therapist assistants and aides need to have a moderate degree of strength because of the physical exertion required to assist patients. For example, assistants and aides may need to lift patients. Constant kneeling, stooping, and standing for long periods also are part of the job.
How to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant || Occupational Therapy Assistant Classes and Degree Programs -Top of Page-
An associate degree from an accredited academic program is generally required to qualify for occupational therapist assistant jobs. In contrast, occupational therapist aides usually receive most of their training on the job. Many States regulate the practice of occupational therapist assistants either by licensing, registration, or certification; requirements vary by State.
Occupational therapist assistants must attend a school accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in order to sit for the national certifying exam for occupational therapist assistants. There were 135 ACOTE accredited occupational therapist assistant programs in 2009.
The first year of study typically involves an introduction to healthcare, basic medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. In the second year, classes are more rigorous and usually include occupational therapy classes in areas such as mental health, adult physical disabilities, gerontology, and pediatrics. Students also must complete at least 16 weeks of supervised fieldwork in a clinic or community setting.
Forty States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of occupational therapist assistants either by licensing, registration, or certification.
Where are the Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs? -Top of Page-
Occupational therapist assistants and aides held about 34,400 jobs in 2008, with assistants holding about 26,600 jobs and aides holding approximately 7,800 jobs. About 28 percent of jobs for assistants and aides were in offices of other health practitioners, 27 percent were in hospitals, and 20 percent were in nursing care facilities. The rest were primarily in community care facilities for the elderly, home healthcare services, individual and family services, and government agencies.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Opportunities and Outlook -Top of Page-
Employment of occupational therapist assistants and aides is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for occupational therapist assistants and aides will continue to rise because of the increasing number of individuals with disabilities or limited function.
Opportunities for occupational therapist assistants should be very good. However, individuals with only a high school diploma may face keen competition for occupational therapist aide jobs.