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If you have a passion for helping people, the endurance to encourage patients even when their progress is slow, and the commitment to working as part of a team, an occupational therapy assistant job could be a great career fit for you. As an occupational therapy assistant, you'll help developmentally and physically challenged people gain skills that will increase their quality of life.  Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Description Occupational therapy assistants work with patients to follow a rehabilitation plan developed under the supervision of occupational therapists. Some of your typical duties as an occupational therapist assistant will likely include the following: - Teaching injured patients to stretch and strengthen muscles
- Working with developmentally disabled patients to teach them skills that will help them work successfully in society
- Supervising patients to be sure that they are following treatment plans
- Recording patients' improvements for the occupational therapist to review
Occupational Therapy Assistant Work Environment An occupational therapy assistant job will give you the opportunity to work in a number of different environments. While the majority of occupational therapy assistants work in hospitals, occupational therapists' offices and residential care facilities, other work environments include home health care agencies, family services, government agencies and more. The chart below shows the relative distribution of the types of environments where occupational therapist assistants generally work: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary According to Salary.com, the middle 50 percent of occupational therapy assistants earn between $38,910 and $46,605 per year. The top 10 percent earn an annual salary of $50,171 or more. Occupational Therapist Assistant Education & Training To become an occupational therapy assistant, you'll need to complete a 2-year associate's degree or a 1-year certificate from an accredited college or technical school. Most students complete two years of study, including the following courses: - Medical terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Psychology
- Rehabilitation Theory
- Gerontology
You'll also complete supervised fieldwork in clinics or community organizations to gain hands-on experience before completing your program. For more information about occupational therapy degree programs, please see the Choosing an Occupational Therapy School page. Getting Started as an Occupational Therapy Assistant In most states, occupational therapy assistants need to pass national certification exams before they can practice. Find out what the occupational therapist licensing requirements are in your state, and find an accredited occupational therapy assistant school that will help you take the first steps toward this exciting career. |
