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Occupational Therapy Assistants Job Overview

Occupational therapy assistants offer rehabilitative services to patients suffering from mental or physical disorders. They work together with occupational therapists to improve the lives of the patients, and help them perform the normal day-to-day activities. They work out a treatment plan for each patient and help them overcome their disabilities.

Occupational Therapy Assistants Schools and Degrees

To enter the profession, one must have an associates degree or a certificate in occupational therapy. A large number of accredited community colleges and technical schools offer degree programs for occupational therapy assistants. These courses focus on health care, physiology, anatomy, and basic medical terminology in the first year, and mental health, gerontology, pediatrics, and adult physical disabilities in the next year. Prior to becoming a professional occupational therapy assistant, one must also complete at least 16 weeks of fieldwork in a clinic or a community setting.

Job Requirements

Occupational therapy assistants need to obtain a license before starting their practice. In most States, candidates need to pass a national certification examination after completing their graduation. On clearing the exam, occupational therapy assistants are awarded the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant title.

Employers generally recruit candidates with background knowledge in biology and health care. Voluntary work in offices of therapists or in health care facilities can give one an edge as far as employment prospects are concerned.

Apart from the educational qualifications, an occupational therapy assistant must be patient and have a strong sense of responsibility. They should be able to follow the instructions and procedures as recommended by the therapists or the hospital. Communication skills are also important since the work of occupational therapy assistants requires frequent interaction with patients and their families, as well as with the medical staff. They should be particularly sensitive to the needs of the patients, and be willing to cooperate with others in the implementation of the treatment plans.

Nature of Work

Occupational therapy assistants are required to help mentally and physically distressed patients perform daily activities like moving from the bed into a wheelchair, and exercising the muscles. They monitor the medical condition of the patients, and chart their progress. They provide the updated reports to the therapists and work out the treatment plans for each and every patient. Occupational therapy assistants also help in the documenting the patients health insurance billing.

Occupational therapy assistants work in well lit and comfortable surroundings where a high level of hygiene is maintained. However, depending on the place of employment, their work hours may vary. Working in the evenings and during the weekends is quite common in this profession. Occupational therapy assistants may occasionally suffer from work-related stress. However, caring for mentally and emotionally impaired people is in itself a rewarding job.

Occupational Therapy Assistants Jobs and Outlook

As per the records of 2007, approximately 25,130 people were employed as occupational therapy assistants in the US. The highest levels of employment include:

• Offices of Other Health Practitioner
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
• Nursing Care Facilities
• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals

The average hourly wage for occupational therapy assistants in the US is about $21.72, while the mean annual wages are around $45,180. Employment in this sector is expected to grow by 25% in the next ten years.

Job Numbers and Growth

Occupational therapy assistants in the US number about 25,000. Workers generally expect a very low unemployment rate.

Area Job Conditions

Where are jobs most numerous? Cumberland (Maryland), Gadsden (Alabama), and Canton (Ohio). Least common? Fort Worth (Texas), San Jose (California), and Phoenix (Arizona).

Salaries vary across the country, from highest in Lynchburg (Virginia), San Diego (California), and Houston (Texas) to lowest in Syracuse (New York), Scranton (Pennsylvania), and Utica (New York).

Training and Education

Obtaining an associate degree will help job seekers. Employees with four or more years of college are 13% of the total. An estimated 86% of occupational therapy assistants attended college at some level but did not pursue a 4-year degree. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Whether by choice or necessity, 18% of employees work part-time. About 4% of occupational therapy assistants do not work for a company or organization.

Occupational Therapy Assistants by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin