Life As an Occupational Therapy Aide
Example of an Occupational Therapy Aide Job Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.
Life as an Occupational Therapy Aide: What Do They Do?
- Manage intradepartmental infection control and equipment security.
- Accompany patients on outings, providing transportation when necessary.
- Supervise patients in choosing and completing work assignments or arts and crafts projects.
- Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
- Assist occupational therapists in planning, implementing, and administering therapy programs to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, using selected activities and special equipment.
- Evaluate the living skills and capacities of physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled clients.
Occupational Therapy Aide Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Occupational Therapy Aides 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.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
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.
Other Occupational Therapy Aide Job Titles
- Restorative Aide
- Rehabilitation Services Aide
- Rehabilitation Tech
- Occupational Rehabilitation Aide
- Occupational Therapy Technician (OT Tech)
What Kind of Occupational Therapy Aide Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 7,500 jobs in the United States for Occupational Therapy Aides.
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 24.7% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,800 new jobs for Occupational Therapy Aides by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,200 positions for Occupational Therapy Aide per year.
The states with the most job growth for Occupational Therapy Aides are Illinois, Texas, and Pennsylvania.
Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Oregon, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Occupational Therapy Aide Make?
The typical yearly salary for Occupational Therapy Aides is somewhere between $18,260 and $58,660. An Occupational Therapy Aide median salary is $28,160.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Washington |
$51,360 |
|
New York |
$46,600 |
|
Louisiana |
$40,940 |
|
Arizona |
$38,760 |
|
Virginia |
$38,360 |
|
Massachusetts |
$36,190 |
|
North Dakota |
$35,900 |
|
New Hampshire |
$35,880 |
|
California |
$35,240 |
|
Michigan |
$35,120 |
|
Maryland |
$34,300 |
|
Delaware |
$34,220 |
|
Connecticut |
$33,740 |
|
Colorado |
$33,060 |
|
Minnesota |
$33,020 |
|
Ohio |
$32,140 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$32,080 |
|
Texas |
$31,390 |
|
Oklahoma |
$31,340 |
|
Iowa |
$30,900 |
|
Tennessee |
$30,540 |
|
Indiana |
$30,360 |
|
Missouri |
$29,890 |
|
North Carolina |
$29,480 |
|
South Carolina |
$29,330 |
|
New Jersey |
$29,330 |
|
West Virginia |
$29,120 |
|
Wisconsin |
$28,970 |
|
Illinois |
$28,820 |
|
Nebraska |
$27,700 |
|
Georgia |
$27,490 |
|
Florida |
$26,770 |
|
Utah |
$23,930 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Occupational Therapy Aides
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Occupational Therapy Aides:
- Microsoft Office
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
How do I Become an Occupational Therapy Aide?
Individuals working as Occupational Therapy Aides have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become Occupational Therapy Aide?
Where do Occupational Therapy Aides Work?
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Those thinking about becoming Occupational Therapy Aides might also be interested in the following careers:
- Dancers
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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