Occupational Therapy Assistants

Occupational Therapy Assistants work under the supervision of Occupational Therapists to help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. Their job involves implementing therapeutic activities, assisting with exercises, documenting progress, educating patients and families, and helping individuals regain independence in their daily activities.

Education / Training

Occupational Therapy Assistants typically need an associate's degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. These programs include coursework in anatomy, physiology, psychology, and fieldwork experiences to gain practical skills. Additionally, most states require licensure or certification for practice. To become an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you need to have completed high school and obtained your diploma. College education beyond the associate's degree is not mandatory for this role. The training for Occupational Therapy Assistants involves completing an accredited two-year associate's degree program, which combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience. Students learn about human development, common disabilities, therapeutic techniques, and how to assist occupational therapists in developing treatment plans for patients. They also gain practical skills through supervised fieldwork in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools, to prepare them for entry-level roles assisting occupational therapists in helping individuals regain independence in daily activities.