Occupational Therapy Aide
Quick Facts
Median Salary$37,133
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+20.04%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
An Occupational Therapy Aide assists occupational therapists and technicians to help patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. Sets up treatment areas and equipment, handles clerical tasks, and helps move patients. Works in the office of an occupational therapist or an healthcare setting.
Core Tasks:
- Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals.
- Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments.
- Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.
- Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
- Instruct patients and families in work, social, and living skills, the care and use of adaptive equipment, and other skills to facilitate home and work adjustment to disability.
- Assist occupational therapists in planning, implementing, and administering therapy programs to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, using selected activities and special equipment.
- Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
- Manage intradepartmental infection control and equipment security.
- Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual and creative arts and games.
- Perform clerical, administrative, and secretarial duties, such as answering phones, restocking and ordering supplies, filling out paperwork, and scheduling appointments.
- Supervise patients in choosing and completing work assignments or arts and crafts projects.
- Adjust and repair assistive devices and make adaptive changes to other equipment and to environments.
What to expect as an Occupational Therapy Aide
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
43% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Occupational Therapy Aide related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
1668 openings for Occupational Therapy Aides
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
The career progression is an interactive way to explore careers related to Occupational Therapy Aide. Click on each career to see its associated salary, job availability, skills, and more.