Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

Career Description:

• Works under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist (OT) to help individuals with physical or mental or developmental challenges to manage their daily lives
• Assists OTs to assess and carry out treatment plans to help patients with daily living skills
• Works on physical exercises to improve strength and dexterity so that patients can perform daily tasks such as eating, dressing, bathing, grooming and ambulating from bed to wheelchair, etc.
• OTAs also help individuals with time management, using public transportation, or incorporating social activities into their daily routines to increase their independence
• Records patient’s progress and helps document services for billing purposes; works closely w/ OT to provide information for evaluations, treatment planning and reviews of patient progress
• May use games and crafts to help patients develop skills
• Helps to design and utilize equipment, such as splints, to help patients accomplish tasks
• Helps adapt patient’s environment to assist them with home living and instruct patients and family on use of special equipment or procedures
• May perform clerical duties and clean, stock and organize work areas

Work Environment:

• Hospitals
• Occupational Therapist and other professionals’ offices
• Nursing homes and rehabilitation centers

Working Conditions:

• Requires physical stamina (long hours on feet and patient, equipment moving)
• Some risk of exposure to diseases
• High level of social interaction; work closely with patients and PT staff
• Must be able to understand patients and make self understood despite some patients’ speech challenges
• May work full or part-time; evenings or weekend shifts available; most work regular schedules

Job Outlook:

• Less than 25,000 OTAs employed in U.S.; approximately 300 employed in MA.

• Approximately 10,000 job openings expected nationally between 2004-2014 (new and replacement positions); 34% growth rate
• 30 OTA openings predicted in MA annually through 2008; faster than average growth expected through 2012

 Career Advancement:

• May pursue a BS degree in OT; in 2007, OTs will be required to hold an MS degree or higher
• Many schools currently offering BS/MS programs in OT
• Can transfer skills and education required for OTA to other areas of healthcare such as nursing, physical therapy, radiology or medical social work

Earnings:

• Full time median annual earnings for OTAs nationally in 2002 was $36,660
• In MA, hourly range was $14.98-$23.38, or $31,158-$48,630 annually
  
  Salary information is based on data extracted from the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development Career Information System, the Massachusetts Hospital Association “Pulse” website, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wages vary by employer, geographical location, experience and level of education. Salaries in the Boston area are generally higher than stated Massachusetts and National averages.
  

 Education/Training Required:

• A.S. Degree or certificate from an accredited OTA program; generally from community college or technical school
• Course work includes anatomy and physiology, basic medical terminology, introduction to health care, mental health, therapeutic application gerontology and pediatrics
• A 16 week clinical training for hands-on experience is also required
• Must pass National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT);
• In MA: must be licensed by the Board and work under the supervision of an Occupation Therapist Registered (OTR) to practice

 Prerequisite Educational Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Must pass computerized placement exams in Reading, English and Math
• Some schools require Algebra and Biology courses taken within the last 5 years w/ a grade of C or better

 Is this career for you?

• Do you have a HS diploma or GED with completed prerequisites?

• Can you pass computerized placement exams for college level math, reading and English?
• Have you or could you successfully complete college Algebra and science courses such as Biology and Anatomy and Physiology?
• Are you compassionate?
• Do you have the desire to help people?
• Are you interested in “lifetime learning”
• Are you physically able to stand for long periods of time and lift, push and carry heavy objects/patients?

For more detailed information on this career visit:

• The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
• Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Association

Schools:
Schools for Occutpational Therapy Assistant-Mass Pulse