What is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Career Description Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.
What Do Occupational Therapy Assistants Do On a Daily Basis?
- Attend continuing education classes.
- Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual or creative arts or games.
- Attend care plan meetings to review patient progress and update care plans.
- Order any needed educational or treatment supplies.
- Observe and record patients’ progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
- Design, fabricate, or repair assistive devices or make adaptive changes to equipment or environments.
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What an Occupational Therapy Assistant Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Occupational Therapy Assistants say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Other Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Titles
- Occupational Therapy Technician
- Behavior Specialist
- School Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant-Licensed (COTA-L)
- Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
Occupational Therapy Assistant Employment Estimates
There were about 39,300 jobs for Occupational Therapy Assistant in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 29% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,400 new jobs for Occupational Therapy Assistant by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 6,600 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Occupational Therapy Assistant are Arizona, Georgia, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, Wisconsin, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Occupational Therapy Assistant
The salary for Occupational Therapy Assistants ranges between about $39,620 and $80,980 a year.
Occupational Therapy Assistants who work in Texas, New Jersey, or California, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Occupational Therapy Assistants in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,700 |
| Arizona | $59,090 |
| Arkansas | $58,580 |
| California | $67,470 |
| Colorado | $57,230 |
| Connecticut | $65,150 |
| Delaware | $59,130 |
| District of Columbia | $56,330 |
| Florida | $61,340 |
| Georgia | $64,630 |
| Hawaii | $58,440 |
| Idaho | $56,100 |
| Illinois | $60,200 |
| Indiana | $56,070 |
| Iowa | $56,020 |
| Kansas | $58,970 |
| Kentucky | $55,080 |
| Louisiana | $60,730 |
| Maine | $50,490 |
| Maryland | $62,950 |
| Massachusetts | $62,530 |
| Michigan | $52,410 |
| Minnesota | $50,470 |
| Mississippi | $57,050 |
| Missouri | $57,310 |
| Nebraska | $58,250 |
| Nevada | $68,200 |
| New Hampshire | $56,160 |
| New Jersey | $69,530 |
| New Mexico | $57,810 |
| New York | $60,890 |
| North Carolina | $62,880 |
| North Dakota | $48,670 |
| Ohio | $59,910 |
| Oklahoma | $60,830 |
| Oregon | $62,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,580 |
| Rhode Island | $61,640 |
| South Carolina | $64,060 |
| South Dakota | $41,050 |
| Tennessee | $60,640 |
| Texas | $74,650 |
| Utah | $56,460 |
| Vermont | $60,710 |
| Virginia | $66,240 |
| Washington | $63,570 |
| West Virginia | $59,090 |
| Wisconsin | $38,650 |
| Wyoming | $52,200 |
What Tools & Technology do Occupational Therapy Assistants Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Occupational Therapy Assistants may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- FileMaker Pro
- Scheduling software
- Graphics software
- Billing software
- Accounting software
- Bookkeeping software
- dBASE
How do I Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Individuals working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Where Occupational Therapy Assistants Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Occupational Therapy Assistant in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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