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Occupational Therapy Assistants

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$68,340	7200	22.3%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$68,340

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

7200

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

22.3%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

Related Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Detailed Work Activities

Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
Attend educational events to update medical knowledge.
Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Record vital statistics or other health information.
Maintain medical records.
Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
Develop patient therapy programs.
Teach basic living or other adaptive skills to patients or caregivers.
Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
Administer screening tests to determine abilities or treatment needs.
Assist patients with daily activities.
Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.
Prepare medical reports or documents.
Communicate patient status to other health practitioners.
Develop patient therapy programs.
Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.
Make patient-assistive devices or device models.
Clean medical equipment.
Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Teach basic living or other adaptive skills to patients or caregivers.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Process medical billing information.
Move patients to or from treatment areas.
Teach medical procedures to healthcare personnel.
Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
Administer screening tests to determine abilities or treatment needs.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
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.
Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
Design, fabricate, or repair assistive devices or make adaptive changes to equipment or environments.
Attend care plan meetings to review patient progress and update care plans.
Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual or creative arts or games.
Teach patients how to deal constructively with their emotions.
Order any needed educational or treatment supplies.
Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments, collecting data, or documenting health insurance billings.
Assist educational specialists or clinical psychologists in administering situational or diagnostic tests to measure client's abilities or progress.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

For more information on this career visit: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/occupational-therapy/occupational-therapy-assistant/

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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