Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Discover everything you'll need to know to enter a popular career field.
The Basics
What you'll do: You'll work with patients to follow a rehabilitation plan developed under the supervision of occupational therapists. Duties may include teaching injured patients to stretch and strengthen muscles, skill developmentally disabled patients to help them work successfully in society, record patient improvements for the occupational therapist to review.
Where you'll work: Hospitals, occupational therapists' offices and residential care facilities, home health care agencies, family services, government agencies
Degree you'll need to practice: Associate's degree or 1-year certificate program
Median annual salary: $41,540 – $60,680
Cities with high employment levels: Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Dallas, Cleveland, St. Louis
Occupational Therapy Assistant Work Environment
An occupational therapy assistant job will provide you with the opportunity to work in a number of different environments.
The chart below shows the relative distribution of the types of environments where occupational therapist assistants generally work:
Education and Training
To qualify for a position as an occupational therapy assistant, 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.
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.
Occupational Therapy Resources
Job Description
Learn what occupational therapy jobs are like.
Choosing a School
What to look for in an occupational therapy school.
Outlook for Occupational Therapy Jobs
Get occupational therapy industry information.
Licensing Info
Learn the requirements for licensure.
Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Job description, salary info and more.
Did You Know?
- The first occupational therapists, who worked to rehabilitate soldiers after World War I, were known as "reconstructive aides."
- According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, over 30 percent of occupational therapists and their assistants work with children.