Occupational Therapist Assistant
Occupational therapist assistant typically works under the supervision and guidance of a certified OT (occupational therapist) to provide various rehabilitative services and treatments to individuals with physical, emotional, mental, or developmental impairments. The ultimate goal of occupational therapy is to improve clients’ quality of daily life and the ability to perform daily tasks and activities. For example, occupational therapist assistants can help injured athletes or workers re-enter their occupation by teaching them special techniques for compensating for the temporary or even permanent loss motor skills, or help children with learning disabilities learn effective compensating techniques to enhance their academic performance.
Occupational Therapist Assistant Salary
The average expected annual salary for a typical Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant in the U.S. is $48,208. This figure may vary considerably depending on a number of factors, such as location of the workplace, years of training and experience, and others. The salary range of an Occupational Therapist Assistant is lower than Certified Occupational Assistant Salary, since Registered OT is required to undergo a significantly lengthier period of training and internship than OTA.
Occupational Therapist Assistant Job Description
Occupational therapist assistant jobs typically include helping clients with various rehabilitative activities, treatments and exercises as outlined in a treatment plan which is developed in collaboration with a certified occupational therapist. Therapeutic activities may range from teaching the proper techniques for moving from a wheelchair into bed, to the exercises for stretching the hand muscles. Assistants also monitor an individual’s activities to ensure that they are performed properly and according to the instructions, as well as to provide encouragement to the patients. They are also often required to record the client’s progress during the course of therapy. If the treatment is noticeably failing to achieve the desired effect, and the client doesn’t seem to be improving as expected, the occupational therapist may change the treatment program for the purpose of obtaining better results. In addition, occupational therapist assistant is also expected to document the billing information of the client’s health insurance provider.
Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Typical entry-level educational requirements for occupational therapist assistants is an associate degree. Many States regulate and monitor the employment and practice of occupational therapist assistants through licensing, certification, or registration requirements which vary from state to state.
Occupational Therapist Assistant employment prospects are very good indeed. The demand within this field is expected to grow much faster than in an average professional occupation, as the demand for occupational therapist services continues to rise and subsequently, more OT assistants are needed.
Occupational Therapist Assistant Work Environment
Occupational therapist assistants need to have a reasonable degree of physical strength, since certain physical exertion is expected for assisting disabled patients. For example, OT assistants may need to lift patients, kneel, stoop, and standing for extended periods of time.
The work hours of occupational therapist assistants may vary by facility and whether they are employed full or part time. For instance, many outpatient occupational therapy offices and clinics often have evening and weekend hours, in order to coincide with various patients’ schedules.
Job prospects are very good for a trained and experienced occupational therapist assistant, which makes it a very secure as well as highly rewarding career path.
Occupational therapist assistant
