All About Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Description Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Responsibilities
- Teach patients how to deal constructively with their emotions.
- Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments, collecting data, or documenting health insurance billings.
- Assist educational specialists or clinical psychologists in administering situational or diagnostic tests to measure client’s abilities or progress.
- Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled clients.
- Attend care plan meetings to review patient progress and update care plans.
- Assemble, clean, or maintain equipment or materials for patient use.
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Qualities of an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational Therapy Assistants state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Related Job Titles
- Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Occupational Therapy Technician
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant-Licensed (COTA-L)
- Occupational Therapist Assistant
- School Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Is There Job Demand for Occupational Therapy Assistants?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 39,300 jobs in the United States for Occupational Therapy Assistant. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 29% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,400 new jobs for Occupational Therapy Assistant by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 6,600 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Occupational Therapy Assistant are Arizona, Georgia, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, Wisconsin, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Occupational Therapy Assistant Make?
The average yearly salary of an Occupational Therapy Assistant ranges between $39,620 and $80,980.
Occupational Therapy Assistants who work in Texas, New Jersey, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Occupational Therapy Assistants make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,700 |
| Arizona | $59,090 |
| Arkansas | $58,580 |
| California | $67,470 |
| Colorado | $57,230 |
| Connecticut | $65,150 |
| Delaware | $59,130 |
| District of Columbia | $56,330 |
| Florida | $61,340 |
| Georgia | $64,630 |
| Hawaii | $58,440 |
| Idaho | $56,100 |
| Illinois | $60,200 |
| Indiana | $56,070 |
| Iowa | $56,020 |
| Kansas | $58,970 |
| Kentucky | $55,080 |
| Louisiana | $60,730 |
| Maine | $50,490 |
| Maryland | $62,950 |
| Massachusetts | $62,530 |
| Michigan | $52,410 |
| Minnesota | $50,470 |
| Mississippi | $57,050 |
| Missouri | $57,310 |
| Nebraska | $58,250 |
| Nevada | $68,200 |
| New Hampshire | $56,160 |
| New Jersey | $69,530 |
| New Mexico | $57,810 |
| New York | $60,890 |
| North Carolina | $62,880 |
| North Dakota | $48,670 |
| Ohio | $59,910 |
| Oklahoma | $60,830 |
| Oregon | $62,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,580 |
| Rhode Island | $61,640 |
| South Carolina | $64,060 |
| South Dakota | $41,050 |
| Tennessee | $60,640 |
| Texas | $74,650 |
| Utah | $56,460 |
| Vermont | $60,710 |
| Virginia | $66,240 |
| Washington | $63,570 |
| West Virginia | $59,090 |
| Wisconsin | $38,650 |
| Wyoming | $52,200 |
What Tools do Occupational Therapy Assistants Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Occupational Therapy Assistants may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- FileMaker Pro
- Scheduling software
- Graphics software
- Billing software
- Accounting software
- Bookkeeping software
- Laboratory information system LIS
How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Are there Occupational Therapy Assistants education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Occupational Therapy Assistants Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Occupational Therapy Assistants employed by various industries.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being an Occupational Therapy Assistant may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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