What You Need to Know About Occupational Therapy Assistant
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.
Daily Life Of an Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Attend care plan meetings to review patient progress and update care plans.
- Design, fabricate, or repair assistive devices or make adaptive changes to equipment or environments.
- Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
- 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.
- Order any needed educational or treatment supplies.
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Occupational Therapy Assistant Needed Skills
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.
Types of Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs
- Independent Living Specialist
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
- Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant-Licensed (COTA-L)
- Occupational Therapy Technician
What Kind of Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Opportunities Are There?
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. 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.
How Much Does an Occupational Therapy Assistant Make?
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.
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
Becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Education needed to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant:
What work experience do I need 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 interested in being an Occupational Therapy Assistant may also be interested in:
Those who work as an Occupational Therapy Assistant sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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