Occupational Therapy Assistant | Career Navigator

Quick Facts

Median Salary$62,935

Most Common EducationAssociate's degree

Projected 10-Year Growth+28.20%

What They Do

An Occupational Therapy Assistant assists occupational therapists to help patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. Helps patients to recover and develop skills need for daily activities. Helps patients learn exercises and teaches them to use therapeutic equipment. Works in the office of an occupational therapist or in a healthcare facility.

Core Tasks:

Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
Attend continuing education classes.
Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of clients with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
Communicate and collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved with the care of a patient.
Work under the direction of occupational therapists to plan, implement, or administer educational, vocational, or recreational programs that restore or enhance performance in individuals with functional impairments.
Alter treatment programs to obtain better results if treatment is not having the intended effect.
Assemble, clean, or maintain equipment or materials for patient use.
Design, fabricate, or repair assistive devices or make adaptive changes to equipment or environments.
Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
Attend care plan meetings to review patient progress and update care plans.
Teach patients how to deal constructively with their emotions.
Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual or creative arts or games.
Order any needed educational or treatment supplies.
Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments, collecting data, or documenting health insurance billings.

What to expect as an Occupational Therapy Assistant

1Earn a Associate's degree

28% of people achieve this level of education.

2Gain skills and experience

See Occupational Therapy Assistant related courses on Tallo

3Land a job

4977 openings for Occupational Therapy Assistants

Career Progression

in United States (Nation)

The career progression is an interactive way to explore careers related to Occupational Therapy Assistant. Click on each career to see its associated salary, job availability, skills, and more.