In the field of allied medical health, one of the roles that you can have is that of an occupational therapy assistant (also known as an occupational therapist assistant). An occupational therapy assistant is a health care professional who works with individuals of any age to help them improve function with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, household chores and work related duties. Additionally, an occupational therapy assistant aids individuals in improving their endurance and fine motor skills including writing and buttoning. An occupational therapy assistant works under the direction of an occupational therapist. Before an occupational therapy assistant can begin working with an individual, the primary occupational therapist must first evaluate the client and develop a plan of care. The plan of care identifies areas that need improvement, outlines treatment options and designates short- and long-term goals. The occupational therapy assistant then implements the plan of care, reporting back to the primary occupational therapist regarding the client’s progress.
Here are some considerations for those choosing to become an occupational therapy assistant.
- Personality and Interest. Before deciding to spend several years getting educated as an occupational therapy assistant, individuals should first make sure that they have the proper personality for the job. Characteristics of a successful occupational therapy assistant include the ability to work well with people of all ages and backgrounds, many of whom will have diseases and disabilities that make them challenging to work with. A successful occupational therapy assistant should also be compassionate, patient, creative, and organized, and should be comfortable working in close proximity to others. Individuals considering becoming an occupational therapy assistant should have an interest in science subjects as early as high school, since the bulk of training in college will consist of science related courses, such as anatomy, biology and kinesiology.
- Education and Certification. In order to become an occupational therapy assistant, one must first decide if they’d like to attend a traditional or online college. Online programs are convenient and affordable, and allow students to do most of their studying from home. Traditional college programs require the student to attend classes on campus, appropriate for individuals who prefer to meet with professors and classmates directly and who lack the discipline needed to complete online coursework in a timely manner. Regardless of whether individuals choose to attend a traditional or online college, they must seek programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Once enrolled, students typically complete their schooling in approximately two years and graduate with an associate degree, after which they are eligible to sit for the national certification exam for occupational therapy assistants. Upon successfully passing the exam, individuals are then able to apply for a license to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Some variations exist from state to state, so persons seeking an occupational therapy assistant career will want to contact their state’s Department of Health for specific requirements.
- Work Environment. Occupational therapy assistants can work in such settings as hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and in the home setting. Each environment is unique and requires a different set of skills and treatment techniques. In the hospital setting, occupational therapy assistants are working with people who are often severely ill or injured. The pace of work in a hospital is fast and the goal of an occupational therapy assistant is to help individuals get back home as quickly as possible. In the home setting, individuals receiving therapy services are home bound, thus the goal of the occupational therapy assistant is to aid in achieving goals that allow the individual to leave the home safely. Individuals who receive treatment from an occupational therapy assistant in an outpatient clinic are typically high functioning, thus treatment emphasizes specific life skills such as work related duties. The work hours of an occupational therapy assistant vary depending on the type and needs of the setting in which they work. They will need to work under the direction of a primary occupational therapist.
- Job Growth and Salary. Due to the ongoing need for health care and the increasing age of the baby boomer generation, occupational therapy assistants continue to be in demand. Occupational therapy assistants who want to get promoted or further their career can return to school to obtain their degree as an occupational therapist. As of 2011, the average salary for an occupational therapy assistant is $47,000, however this figure depends greatly on years of experience, type of work setting and work location (i.e., small town versus large city). Your pay will greatly increase if you decide to become an occupational therapist.
Overall, the career of an occupational therapy assistant is extremely rewarding and can provide the practitioner with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. The positive impact that the profession has on the lives of individuals receiving intervention is extremely important and necessary to allow such individuals the ability to live a life that is as normal and healthy as possible.