All About Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupation 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.
Life As an Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Attend continuing education classes.
- Order any needed educational or treatment supplies.
- Teach patients how to deal constructively with their emotions.
- Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
- Assist educational specialists or clinical psychologists in administering situational or diagnostic tests to measure client’s abilities or progress.
- Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
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Things an Occupational Therapy Assistant Should Know How to Do
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.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
- Health Service Worker
- Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant/Licensed (COTA/L)
- Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Occupational Therapy Technician
What Kind of Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 39,300 jobs in the United States for Occupational Therapy Assistant. 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. There will be an estimated 6,600 positions for Occupational Therapy Assistant per 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.
Average Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary
The typical yearly salary for Occupational Therapy Assistants is somewhere between $39,620 and $80,980.
Occupational Therapy Assistants who work in Texas, New Jersey, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Occupational Therapy Assistants make 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 do Occupational Therapy Assistants Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Occupational Therapy Assistants:
- 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
- Laboratory information system LIS
How to 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 the approximate number of Occupational Therapy Assistants employed by various industries.
Similar Careers
Those interested in being an Occupational Therapy Assistant may also be interested in:
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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