Occupational Therapy Assisting
Overview
Programs in occupational therapy assisting prepare people to help patients under the supervision of an occupational therapist.Occupational therapy assisting programs include topics such as:
- Occupational therapy principles and practice skills
- Treatment plans and implementation
- Patient education
- Recordkeeping
- Health education and promotion
Internships
Internships allow students to develop skills at companies or organizations. Most occupational therapy assisting programs require students to complete an internship.
Schools
Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in occupational therapy assisting. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete.
Very few colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in occupational therapy assisting.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Chiropractic Assisting
- Dialysis Technology
- Gerontology
- Health Aide
- Human Services
- Medical Assisting
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy Assisting
- Rehabilitation Counseling
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
Program Admission
Proprietary schools, colleges, and universities all offer this program. If you want to study at a proprietary school, you can prepare for this program of study by completing your high school diploma or getting a GED. If you want to study at a college or university, you can prepare for this program by taking the following courses: four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Program admissions vary. Some schools require you to take general education courses and college-level science courses before admitting you to an occupational therapy assisting program. These courses might include:
- College Composition
- College Math
- Communications
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- Human Anatomy
- Medical Terminology
- Psychology
- Public Speaking
- Social Science
- Statistics
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Community Health
- Fitness and Conditioning Activities
- Health Education
- Healthcare Occupations
- Lifetime Fitness Education
- Medical and Clerical Assisting
- Physical Education
- Psychology
- Safety and First Aid
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Adaptations to Daily Living
- Assessment and Measurement
- College Composition
- Developmental Disabilities
- Developmental Psychology
- First Aid and Personal Safety
- Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology
- Healthcare Systems
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Interpersonal Communication
- Occupational Therapy in Physical Disabilities
- Occupational Therapy in Psychiatry
- Occupational Therapy in Specialty Areas
- Occupational Therapy Theory
- Pathophysiology and Conditions
- Psychosocial Disabilities
- Sensorimotor Treatment
- Therapeutic Media
All programs also include practicums, fieldwork, or clerkships in their curriculums. Those are all different names for valuable hands-on experience working with certified occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. These experiences introduce you to the different settings and areas of occupational therapy.
Things to Know
All states require occupational therapist assistants to be certified before practicing.
Occupational therapy assistants need to have a moderate degree of strength to help their patients during their treatments.
Schools
King-Snohomish Area
Green River College
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
Pima Medical Institute-Renton
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
Spokane Area
Spokane Falls Community College
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
Tacoma Area
Bates Technical College
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
Vancouver Area
Charter College--Vancouver
- Allied Health