Occupational therapy assistant.

Reese, Susan

OCCUPATIONALTHERAPY ASSISTANTS WORK WITH OCCUPATIONAL therapists to help patients recover and improve the skills they need to live fuller lives. They are instrumental in developing plansfor patients that will then be implemented through therapeutic activities and exercises. Patients may range from children with developmental disabilities to adults who have been injured by accidents or illness. The duties of an occupational therapy assistant may include teaching patients how to use special equipment they will need during recovery or in their daily lives, and teaching patients the best ways to exercise and stretch. Those who work in occupational therapy practices mayalso perform clerical and administrative duties.

The Workplace

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Occupational therapy assistants work in the offices of occupational, speech and physical therapists, in public or private hospitals, in public or private educational servicesorganizations, for home healthcare services,and in residential and nursing-care facilities.

Education

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapy assistants typically need an associate degree from an accredited program, and most states require licensure. There are a number of programs at community colleges and technical schools across the country that haveaccreditation from the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA) Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Students can begin preparing for a career in high school through health and biology courses and volunteer work in a health-care setting.

Earnings

TheU.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that theaverage annual earnings for occupational therapy assistants in May 2012 were $53,240, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $73,120.

Job Outlook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook projects that employment of occupational therapy assistants will grow 41 percent from 2012 to 2022. While much of this growth can be attributed to the number of baby boomers who will need services as they age, another factor is the increased use of assistants, rather than therapists, to provideservices, as insurers and healthcare providers seek to lower treatment costs. Federal health insurance reform is alsocited as a contributing factor since rehabilitation services will be covered under the reforms to be implemented.

EXPLORE MORE

For more information about the career of occupational therapy assistant and the education and training it requires, here are some places to turn.

American Occupational Therapy Association

www.aota.org

American Physical Therapy Association

www.apta.org

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy

Education

www.capteonline.org

HOSA-Future Health Professionals

www.hosa.org

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

www.nbcot.org

By Susan Reese