Occupational Therapist Assistants

Career summary

#No alternate titles CJ

Occupational therapist assistants help people who have mental, physical, or developmental disabilities. They also help people who have injuries or illnesses. Their goal is to help patients develop or recover skills needed for daily living or work. Assistants also work with children with developmental delays.

Occupational therapist assistants help evaluate patients' daily living skills so that occupational therapists can develop a treatment plan.

Assistants help patients with the activities and exercises listed in treatment plans. Activities may include:

• Self-care
• Work-related skills
• Moving from a bed to a wheelchair
• Play activities for children that promote coordination

Assistants outline steps required to complete activities and help patients perform the steps. They may adapt patients' physical surroundings by moving items to places where patients can reach them more easily. Depending on the patient's physical ability, assistants may help them with grooming and getting dressed.

Occupational therapist assistants may set up equipment to help patients perform tasks. For example, they might put together splints and other devices. They also instruct patients about the care and use of special equipment.

Assistants keep occupational therapists informed of patients' progress. In addition, they keep records of what tasks they practiced with patients and how well patients did. They may recommend changes to treatment plans, if necessary. They monitor supplies and order more when needed. They may also schedule appointments, process bills, and maintain files.

In addition, assistants teach patients and their families about basic living skills at home.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Hearing Aid Specialists
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Medical Assistants
• Occupational Therapist Aides
• Occupational Therapists
• Ophthalmic Technicians
• Personal and Home Care Aides
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Physical Therapists
• Psychiatric Technicians
• School Counselors
• Social Workers

Military careers

• Physical and Occupational Therapy Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to occupational therapist assistants.

• Help give tests to patients to measure their abilities and progress.
• Teach self-care and work-related skills to people with disabilities.
• Lead activities, such as games and crafts, to improve patients' skills.
• Monitor patients' activities to make sure they are performed correctly. Provide encouragement.
• Gather materials for tasks. Assemble and maintain equipment.
• Observe patients and record information about their progress.
• Help patients dress and groom themselves.
• Report observations to occupational therapists.
• Teach patients and their families about basic living skills at home. Instruct them in the care and use of special equipment.
• Adapt equipment and surroundings to better suit patients. Make changes to treatment plans if needed.
• Make or put together splints and other devices.
• Keep patient records and prepare reports.
• Monitor inventory and order supplies. May schedule appointments and process health insurance forms.
• Teach patients how to deal with their emotions.

Common work activities

Occupational therapist assistants perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Assist and care for others
• Get information needed to do the job
• Document and record information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Perform for or work with the public
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Teach others
• Evaluate information against standards
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Use computers
• Think creatively
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Schedule work and activities
• Process information
• Develop and build teams
• Analyze data or information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Handle and move objects
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Coach others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, occupational therapist assistants:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with patients and coworkers.
• Communicate by telephone and in person on a daily basis. They also use letters and memos, but less often.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of patients.
• May occasionally be placed in conflict situations. They often deal with people who are angry or unpleasant due to discomfort, pain, or mental disabilities.
• Nearly always work as part of a team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other assistants.

Physical work conditions

• Often work indoors. However, they may lead outdoor activities on occasion.
• Sometimes wear a special uniform.
• Are often exposed to contaminants, diseases, or infections when interacting with patients.
• Often wear safety gear, such as gloves, when working with patients.
• Work very near others. They come in close physical contact with patients on a daily basis.
• Sometimes work in very noisy environments.
• May have to get into awkward positions while working with patients.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work so that patients learn as much as possible.
• Make decisions that greatly impact other assistants, therapists, and patients on a daily basis. They make most decisions without talking to a supervisor, but may talk to a therapist first.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first.
• Abide by strict daily deadlines.
• Repeat the same physical activities.

Hours/travel

• May work part time or full time. Part-time work is common.
• May occasionally work evenings or weekends.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Occupational therapist assistants frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• Keep or regain their balance.

It is important for occupational therapist assistants to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for occupational therapist assistants to be able to:

• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Skills and abilities

Occupational therapist assistants need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Occupational Therapy Assisting

Other programs of study to consider

• Exercise Science and Kinesiotherapy
• Medical Assisting
• Nursing Assisting
• Orthotic and Prosthetic Therapies
• Physical Therapy Assisting
• Recreation Therapy

Training

To work as an occupational therapist assistant, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have an associate degree.

Education after high school

You can prepare to work as an occupational therapist assistant by completing a formal training program. Professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer occupational therapist assistant (OTA) programs. These programs usually grant an associate degree or certificate. An associate degree is the most common way to prepare for this occupation.

During the first year of the program you study health care, medical terminology, and physiology. During the second year you learn about gerontology, pediatrics, and mental health.

Work experience

Volunteering with an occupational or physical therapist is good preparation.

On-the-job training

While you are a student, you get experience working with patients. Experienced occupational therapist assistants supervise your work. Training usually lasts a month, although this varies by employer.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be occupational therapy specialists. Training lasts 11 to 13 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Introduction to Health Care
• Nursing
• Psychology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Many states require occupational therapist assistants to be licensed or certified. In these states, many employers prefer to hire applicants who are already certified or licensed. In states that do not require licensing, employers may require assistants to have an associate degree in occupational therapy assisting.

Employers look for applicants who have good communication and analytical skills. Employers also look for creativity and imagination. Assistants must be able to develop new ways to adapt activities to meet patients' needs.

Some employers prefer applicants with some paid or volunteer experience in the health care field.

Tips

Take courses in human anatomy, physiology, and math. Experience working with disabled children or adults is helpful. Volunteer work is available in hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics, and rehabilitation centers. Observe or talk with therapists' assistants in various job settings to decide if this is the type of work you want to do.

Costs to workers

Occupational therapist assistants need comfortable walking shoes and uniforms. Costs vary depending on personal preference. Some workers join professional associations, which usually have membership fees and annual dues. Other expenses may include reference books and additional college classes, workshops, or continuing education to keep up with licensure requirements and changes in the field.

#Added CTW to this section 3/9/11, cj.

Licensing/certification

Occupational therapist assistants must be certified through the American Occupational Therapy Association. Occupational therapist assistants must also be licensed in Washington. Licensing requirements include:

• a good moral character;
• completion of a two-year nationally accredited training program;
• at least two months of supervised fieldwork;
• answering personal data questions;
• completion of seven hours of AIDS education;
• passing a national and a state online jurisprudence examination; and
• completion of 30 hours of continuing education every two years for licensing renewal.

The initial application and licensing fee is $166 and renewal every two years is $137.

#Added CTW content & updated fees 3/9/11, cj. Updated fees 2/17/12 lh. Updated fees 3/27/14 lh. Updated renewal fee 3/11/15 cj. Updated fees 1/12/16 cj. fine 2/8/18, 4/8/19 cj

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Occupational Therapy Practice Board 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7865
360.236.4700

# Updated url 3/18/09, cj. No changes 4/6/10 lh or 3/9/11, cj. Update PO Box #; no other #changes 4/11/13 cj. Contact info ok 3/11/15 cj. Licensing info unchanged 12/12/16, 4/8/19 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Occupational Therapy Assistants 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The worker's level of education, experience, and responsibility also affect wages.

Occupational therapist assistants who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

State Outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Occupational therapists' and other medical professionals' offices
• Nursing homes and rehabilitation centers
• Hospitals

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will grow significantly. This is due to the growth of the aging population. Doctors can also save more seriously injured people, and these patients usually need extensive therapy. New federal health care laws will mean that more people have access to health care service such as occupational therapy.

Job prospects will be best in occupation therapy offices and other health care settings.

Other resources

American Occupational Therapy Association 

Considering an OT Career? 

Explore Health Careers: Occupational Therapy Assistant 

Health Occupation Students of America 
548 Silicon Drive, Suite 101
Southlake, TX 76092
800.321.HOSA

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy 
One Bank Street, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301.990.7979

The Washington Occupational Therapy Association 
1402 Auburn Way N, Suite 236
Auburn, WA 98002
253.234.5809

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupation

• Occupational Therapy Assistants (31-2011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Occupational Therapy Aide (355.377-010) 
• Occupational Therapy Assistant (076.364-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Social/Realistic/Investigative

COPSystem

• Service Skilled