Occupational Therapy Assistants

Also Called: Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant-Licensed (COTA-L), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

Associate's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$48,670

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Occupational Therapy Assistants do

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.

  • Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
  • Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
  • Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
Industry Areas:

Health Care

Training Program Areas:

OCT-Only Health Care • Rehabilitation Technician

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Contact With Others
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Work With Work Group or Team
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Frequency of Decision Making

Tools

  • Leather accessories
  • Headpointers or mouthsticks for the physically challenged
  • Writing aids for the physically challenged
  • Gait belts for rehabilitation or therapy
  • Arm orthopedic softgoods

Technology

Data base user interface and query software
Database software
Microsoft Access
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Medical software
Laboratory information system LIS
Visual Health Information VHI PC-Kits

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Time Management

Knowledge

Business
customer service
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
psychology
sociology and anthropology
Education and Training
teaching and course design

Education

  • 82% Associate's degree
  • 10% Master's degree
  • 8% Bachelor's degree

Experience

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.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Psychiatric Technicians

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Occupational Therapy Assistants Currently Selected

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Social & Human Service Assistants

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Athletic Trainers

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Adult and Community Education-Hudson

    Columbus, OH

  • Adventist University of Health Sciences

    Orlando, FL

Apprenticeships

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Military

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Realistic (Doer)
    • Social (Helper)

Work Styles

  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Self Control
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Attention to Detail

Values

  • Relationships
  • Achievement
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Attention

This is what Occupational Therapy Assistants across the country typically make.

$23.40 / hour
$48,670 /year

Entry Level

$32.22 / hour
$67,010 /year

Median Level

$42.90 / hour
$89,230 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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