Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

Nature of the Work
Working Conditions
Employment
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Job Outlook
Earnings
Related Occupations
Sources of Additional Information

(D.O.T. 076.364-010 and 355.377-010)

Significant points

* Occupational therapy assistants and aides are projected to be among the 10 fastest growing occupations, but only a small number of job openings will result, because the occupation is small.

* Occupational therapy assistants need an associate's degree or certificate from an accredited community college or technical school; occupational therapy aides usually receive most of their training on the job.

• Nature of the Work

  Occupational therapy assistants and aides work under the direction of occupational therapists to provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments. The ultimate goal is to improve clients' quality of life by helping them compensate for limitations. For example, they help injured workers re-enter the labor force by improving their motor skills, or help persons with learning disabilities increase their independence by teaching them to prepare meals or use public transportation.
  
  Occupational therapy assistants help clients with rehabilitative activities and exercises outlined in a treatment plan developed in collaboration with the occupational therapist. The activities range from teaching the proper method of moving from a bed into a wheelchair, to the best way to stretch and limber the muscles of the hand. Assistants monitor the individual to ensure activities are performed correctly and to provide encouragement. They also record their observations of client's progress for use by the occupational therapist. If the treatment is not having the intended effect, or the client is not improving as expected, the treatment program may be altered to obtain better results. They also document billing of the client's health insurance provider.
  
  Occupational therapy aides typically prepare materials and assemble equipment used during treatment, and are responsible for a range of clerical tasks. Their duties may include scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, restocking or ordering depleted supplies, and filling out insurance forms or other paperwork. Aides are not licensed, so by law they are not allowed to perform as wide a range of tasks as occupational therapy assistants.

• Working Conditions

  Occupational therapy assistants and aides usually work during the day, but may occasionally work evenings or weekends in order to accommodate the client's schedule. They should be in good physical shape because they are on their feet for long periods of time and may be asked to help lift and move clients or equipment.

• Employment

  Occupational therapy assistants and aides held 16,000 jobs in 1996. Over one-third worked in hospitals, and about one-fourth worked in nursing and personal care facilities. The rest primarily worked in offices and clinics of occupational therapists and other health practitioners. A small number of assistants and aides worked in residential care facilities, outpatient rehabilitation centers, and home health care services.

• Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

  Occupational therapy assistants need an associate's degree or certificate from an accredited community college or technical school. There were 117 accredited occupational therapy assistant programs in the United States in 1996. The first year of study typically involves an introduction to healthcare, basic medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. In the second year, courses are more rigorous and usually include occupational therapy courses in areas such as mental health, gerontology, and pediatrics. Students must also complete supervised fieldwork in a clinic or community setting. Applicants to occupational therapy assistant programs can improve their chances of admission by taking high school courses in biology and health, and by performing volunteer work in nursing homes, occupational or physical therapist's offices, or elsewhere in the healthcare field.
  
  Occupational therapy assistants are regulated in most States, and must pass a national certification examination after they graduate. Those who pass the test are awarded the title of certified occupational therapy assistant.
  
  Occupational therapy aides usually receive most of their training on the job. Qualified applicants must have a high school diploma, strong interpersonal skills, and a desire to help people in need. Applicants may increase their chances of getting a job by volunteering their services, thus displaying initiative and their aptitude to the employer.
  
  Assistants and aides must be responsible, patient, and willing to take directions and work as part of a team. Furthermore, they should be caring and want to help people who are not able to help themselves.

• Job Outlook

  Opportunities for job seekers should be favorable. Employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2006. Although the occupation is expected to be one of the fastest growing in the economy, only a small number of job openings will result, because the occupation is small.
  
  Growth will result from an aging population, including the "baby-boom" cohort, which will need more occupational therapy services. Demand will also result from advances in medicine that allow more people with critical problems to survive, who then need rehabilitative therapy. Furthermore, employers seeking to reduce health care costs are expected to hire more occupational therapy assistants and aides for tasks currently performed by more highly paid occupational therapists.

• Earnings

  According to a membership survey of the American Occupational Therapy Association, mean annual income for new full-time occupational therapy assistants was about $27,442 in 1995. Based on limited information, occupational therapy aides usually start between $6.50 and $7.50 an hour.

• Related Occupations

  Occupational therapy assistants and aides work under the direction of occupational therapists. Other occupations in the healthcare field that work under the supervision of professionals include dental assistants, medical assistants, optometric assistants, pharmacy assistants, and physical therapy assistants and aides.

• Sources of Additional Information

  Information on a career as an occupational therapy assistant and a list of accredited programs can be obtained by sending a self-addressed label and $5.00 to:
  The American Occupational Therapy Association, 4720 Montgomery Lane., P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. Homepage: http://www.aota.org

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