The following information is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides. Please visit the website for a more comprehensive breakdown of the data.
LINKS TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT DIRECTORY PAGES
WHAT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS DO
Occupational therapy assistants help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. They are directly involved in providing therapy to patients. Occupational therapy assistants work under the direction of registered occupational therapists.
**It should be noted that an occupational therapy aide is a different position. An aide does not directly provide care to a patient like an assistant does. Instead an aide is responsible for setting up equipment, helping with billing and insurance, and performing other clerical tasks.**
Job Duties
PAY
National Average Annual Pay (2019): $61,880
Top 5 States
1. New Jersey
$73,680
2. Nevada
$72,400
3. California
$70,150
4. Virginia
$68,120
5. Texas
$67,090
Bottom 5 States
50. South Dakota
$43,550
49. Wisconsin
$43,770
48. Minnesota
$51,830
47. Michigan
$53,040
46. Nebraska
$53,160
STEPS TO BECOME AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT
To become an occupational therapy assistant, you will need an associate’s degree from an occupational therapy assistant program. All states regulate this practice.
After completing the program, you must complete fieldwork to gain experience before being eligible to sit for the exam. Only after taking and passing the exam will you be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). You will not be able to practice as an occupational therapy assistant without this. You also will need to apply for a license in your state once you are certified.
The COTA certification is good for 3 years before you will need to renew it.
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) offers specialty certificates in specialized areas.
1. Enter an Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
The program will take about 2 years to complete.
2. Participate in Fieldwork
To gain hands-on work experience, you will need to complete at least 16 weeks of fieldwork.
3. Take the Exam
Next you will need to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
4. Become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Certification does automatically give you licensure. Make sure to comply with state guidelines to obtain an occupational therapy assistant license or permit in your state.
5. Advance Your Career to an Occupational Therapist
To be an Occupational Therapist, you will need a master’s degree in occupational therapy. The average annual salary is $86,210. The highest average annual is in Nevada at $105,450 per year and the lowest is in North Dakota at $70,350.
QUALITIES OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS
Detail Oriented
Occupational therapy assistants must quickly and accurately follow the instructions, both written and spoken, of an occupational therapist.
Compassion
Occupational therapy assistants frequently work with patients who struggle with many of life’s basic activities. As a result, they should be compassionate and have the ability to encourage others.
Interpersonal Skills
Occupational therapy assistants spend much of their time interacting with patients and therefore should be friendly and courteous. They also should communicate clearly with patients and with patients’ families.
Adaptability
Occupational therapy assistants must be flexible when treating patients. Because not every type of therapy will work for each patient, assistants may need to be creative when working with occupational therapists to determine the best therapy to achieve a patient’s goals.
Physical Strength
Occupational therapy assistants need to have a moderate degree of strength because of the physical exertion required to assist patients. Constant kneeling, stooping, and standing for long periods also are part of the job.