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Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools and Training Programs
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Programs:
- Occupational Therapy Aide
- Physical Therapy Aide
- Substance Abuse Counselor
Improve the quality of life of your patients as you help rehabilitate those with physical, mental, or developmental impairments by pursuing a job as an occupational therapy assistant, or occupational therapist assistant (OTA).
Occupational Therapy Assistant Careers
Working side-by-side with an occupational therapist, the assistant helps clients with rehabilitation exercises and other therapy in accordance with a treatment plan. These may include stretches or re-teaching normal body movements such as walking. Occupational therapy assistants help develop treatment plans for patients and help to monitor their patients' activities to ensure they are performed correctly. They keep track of the client's progress and document billing.
An occupational therapist aide differs slightly in that an aide handles more clerical tasks such as scheduling appointments, answering the phone, preparing materials, and assembling equipment.
An OTA's working conditions can vary depending on whether they work full- or part-time, and the type of institution in which they work. They will often have to work evenings and weekends to accommodate their patients' schedules. In addition, they need to be relatively strong in order to physically assist patients.
Training to Become an Occupational Therapist Assistant
According to bls.gov, to become an occupational therapy assistant, most candidates must earn an associate degree in the field. There were about 300 accredited OTA programs in 2010, most of them at community colleges and technical schools (bls.gov). Such programs introduce basic anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, and most require at least 16 weeks of supervised field work prior to graduation. Most states also require that OTAs be licensed, registered or certified.
COTA Certification
Certification is voluntary in most states, and carried out by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Those who pass its national certifying exam are awarded the title Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. This meets the requirement for regulation in some states; other states have their own licensing exam.
Occupational therapist aides usually receive most of their training on the job. They tend to make less money than assistants.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Outlook
Jobs for occupational therapist assistants are expected to grow much faster than the national average: 41 percent from 2010 to 2020 (bls.gov, 2011). The reasons for this growth include a growing elderly population that requires therapeutic services; advances in medicine that allow a greater number of trauma patients to survive, who then need therapy; and, overall, greater demand for occupational therapy services that results in spillover to assistants and aides.
Salary for Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides
Occupational therapy assistants made an average of $51,010 per year in 2010, and occupational therapy aides made an average of $27,430 a year. With occupational therapy training and a helping personality, you could be on your way to a good career in the vibrant healthcare industry.
Additional Information for Individuals Seeking to Enroll in OTA Schools Found on Health-Care-Careers.org
Physical Therapy Assistant Degrees
Occupational Therapy Assistant Career Information
Additional Resources for Occupational Therapy Assistant Professionals:
American Occupational Therapy Association
Bureau of Labor Statistics Data for Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides
Campus and Online Occupational Therapy Schools
- Scranton
- Occupational Therapy Aide
- Physical Therapy Aide
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Minneapolis
- MS - General Mental Health Counseling
- MS - Clinical Psychology
- MS - Counseling Psychology
- More
Achieve your potential with an online degree from Capella University.
- Fort Lauderdale
- AS in Health Science - Physical Therapy Assistant (Military Only)
- BS in Psychology - Substance Abuse
- MS in Psychology - Addictions
Kaplan University is focused on recognizing the achievements of military and veteran students and offers the flexibility of an online education.
- M.S. in Mental Health Counseling (CACREP-Accredited)-General Program
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision - Forensic Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in Mental Health Counseling - Trauma and Crisis Counseling
- More
- Orange
- San Bernardino
- Alameda
- Clinical Psychology (MA)
- Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
- Counseling Psychology (EdD)
- More
Argosy University offers doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degree programs to students through its seven colleges: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Undergraduate Studies, The Art Institute of California and Western State College of Law as well as certificate programs in many areas.
- Waterbury
- M.S. in Human Services - Clinical Counseling
- B.S. in Human Services / Counseling
- M.S. in Human Services - Drug and Alcohol Counseling
Experience an education that helps you realize your potential in a way that fits you best. Request more information about Post University today.
California University of Pennsylvania
- Post-Masters Cert: Exercise Science and Health Promotion: Rehabilitation Science
- MS: Exercise Science and Health Promotion: Rehabilitation Sciences
- Graduate Certificate in Sports Counseling
Study online with California University of Pennsylvania.
- MA in Psychology, Mental Health Administration
- Doctor of Psychology, Mental Health Administration
- MA in Psychology, Career Management and Counseling Specialization
- More
Join the community of thought leaders at University of the Rockies. Pursue your graduate degree from the University’s School of Professional Psychology or School of Organizational Leadership.
- Lynchburg
- PhD in Counseling - Professional Counseling
- MA in Professional Counseling - 60 Hour
- MA in Professional Counseling(48 hr)
- Prescott Valley
- Health Psychology - MA in Psychology
- Health Psychology - PhD of Psychology
Earn your graduate degree online with Northcentral University.
- MSc in Applied Psychology (Mental Health Psychology)
- Vista
- Diploma: Healthcare and Rehab Therapy Technician
- Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician
- Associates in Applied Science Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling
- Alcohol & Drug Counseling Studies
Florida Tech University Online
- Tampa
- Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology/Clinical Psychology
Southern California Health Institute
- North Hollywood
- Physical Therapy Aide/Sports Rehab Program
- Chiropractic Assistant/Manual Therapist Program
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