Occupational Therapy Assistants
What is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) are healthcare professionals who work under the direction of licensed occupational therapists to help individuals develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. They play a vital role in the rehabilitation process, assisting in therapeutic activities and supporting patients with physical, developmental, emotional, or mental disabilities. OTAs engage patients in meaningful activities that promote independence, improve quality of life, and enhance overall well-being. They often work in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and community health organizations, helping a diverse population ranging from children to the elderly. OTAs utilize therapeutic exercises, adaptive equipment, and activities tailored to each individual's needs, ensuring that treatment plans are effectively implemented and adjusted as necessary to optimize patient outcomes.
Tasks
- Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
- Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
- Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
- Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
- Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
Technology Skills
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Medical software
- BrainTrain Captain's Log
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Laboratory information system LIS
- Visual Health Information VHI PC-Kits
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Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
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Accounting software
- Billing software
- Bookkeeping software
- Fifth Walk BillingTracker
- Financial record software
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Data base user interface and query software
- Database software
- dBASE
- FileMaker Pro
- Microsoft Access
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Computer based training software
- BrainTrain IVA+Plus
- Language arts educational software
- Math educational software
Tools Used
- Leather accessories
- Headpointers or mouthsticks for the physically challenged
- Writing aids for the physically challenged
- Gait belts for rehabilitation or therapy
- Arm orthopedic softgoods
Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Skills
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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.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Abilities
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Associate's degree
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Some college, no degree
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Bachelor's degree
Work Activities
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Thinking Creatively
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Detailed Work Activities
- Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
- Teach basic living or other adaptive skills to patients or caregivers.
- Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
- Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.
- Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Work Interests
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Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$48670.0 - $89230.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.