All About Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapy Assistant Example 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.
A Day in the Life of an Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Attend continuing education classes.
- Attend care plan meetings to review patient progress and update care plans.
- Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
- Monitor patients’ performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
- Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
- Assist educational specialists or clinical psychologists in administering situational or diagnostic tests to measure client’s abilities or progress.
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Occupational Therapy Assistant Required Skills
When polled, Occupational Therapy Assistants say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Related Job Titles
- School Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
- Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant/Licensed (COTA/L)
- Independent Living Specialist
Are There Job Opportunities for Occupational Therapy Assistants?
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.
Occupational Therapy Assistant 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 & Technology 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
- dBASE
Becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant
What education or degrees do I need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
What work experience do I need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as an Occupational Therapy Assistant sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
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