Career: Occupational Therapist Assistants
Opening a can. Feeding a pet. The tasks of daily life can seem impossible for those with physical, mental, or other challenges. If you want to help such people live more independently, but don’t want to spend many years in school, a career as an occupational therapist (OT) assistant is a great choice.
Working under supervision, OT assistants help patients with rehabilitative activities and exercises.
Occupational therapist assistants work under the supervision of occupational therapists. They help to rehabilitate people whose disabilities or conditions make it difficult to complete everyday tasks.
Did You Know?
- You can improve your chances of getting into an OT assistant program by doing well in biology and health, and by volunteering in health care.
Are You Ready To...?
- Take directions from OTs
- Help patients with activities and exercises
- Keep notes on patient progress
- Prepare paperwork related to health insurance
- Kneel, stoop, and stand for long periods
- Lift and move patients
It Helps to Be...
In good physical shape. You’ll be on your feet for long periods of time, and you may have to lift patients. Patience is also a plus.
Make High School Count
- Take as many science courses as possible, including biology, chemistry, and health science.
- Sign up for psychology to learn more about human nature and get an introduction to psychological conditions and therapeutic techniques.
- Volunteer at a hospital or another health care facility to find out if this is the path for you.
Did You Know?
- Evening and weekend hours are often required in this line of work.
Outlook
The job outlook for OT assistants is excellent. Government economists expect job growth to be much faster than the average for all careers through 2014. In fact, it is among the twenty fastest growing careers.
As the population ages, more people will need occupational therapy. In addition, insurance companies -- which often foot the bill for occupational therapy -- encourage the use of OT assistants because they cost less than OTs. The more work done by assistants, and not their supervisors, the more money insurance companies save.
Compensation
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly salary for occupational therapist assistants in 2007 was $45,180.
