An Occupational Therapist Assistant is a person who works closely with the client to complete the items required by the occupational therapist. He or she teaches injured patients to improve their quality of life and ability to carry out daily activities.
Job Responsibilities
As an Occupational Therapist Assistant there are several responsibilities you need to fulfill. Some of them are as follows:
- Examining and documenting the patients' progress, attitudes and behavior
- Help clients with rehabilitative activities and exercises outlined in a treatment plan developed in collaboration with an occupational therapist
- Monitoring individual's activities to make sure that they are performed correctly and to provide encouragement
- Record the patient's improvement for the occupational therapist, in order to take further actions
- Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves
- Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward patients and their treatment course
- Design, fabricate, and repair assisting devices and make adaptive changes to equipment and environments
- Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area
- Occupational therapy assistants perform several administrative duties, including scheduling appointments, gathering patients' information and recording health insurance statements
- Report to supervisors verbally or in writing on patients' improvement to revise the treatment plans
- Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of curative goals by performing physical activities that require considerable use of the arms and legs, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and the handling of materials
Academic
The basic requirements for this kind of a job are the attitude or character to help a lot of people who need assistance in all aspects. In order to qualify for an occupational therapist assistant job one must at least own a technical school or a community college certificate. Other than this an associate degree can also be accepted. Candidates who have already taken up a health and biology course in his high school have brighter chances for getting occupational therapist assistant jobs. If you have been a volunteer in offices of therapists, hospitals, nursing schools, or in any other health aid programs this also helps you to get this job.
Skill Set
- Great working knowledge of the theory and methods of occupational therapy and their application
- Candidate should have enough strength for this job in order to assist or sometimes lift the patients
- Good interpreting skills is required that is candidate should be able to listen and grasp the ideas or news said via words
- High speech clarity and recognitions
- Patience, tact and sensitivity
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Practical skills, from cookery to ironing
- The ability to work in a team as well as relate to people of all ages and backgrounds
- Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions: This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, and ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture
- Ability to develop an effective working relationship with others
- Assistants should be friendly and understanding
Graduates concerned in occupational therapy would gain invaluable experience from time spent as an OTA and could use this as a route to gaining the required professional qualifications. There is no special training for this job.
Employment Outlook
Career Prospects (globally)
Employment opportunities are growing much quicker than the nominal rate as since there is a high demand for the occupational therapist assistant. The employment outlook is anticipated to develop in a faster way unlike earlier periods.
Salaries
The Salary of an OTA depends on the education and experience in the current field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in May 2004 the median salary that an assistant for occupational therapy can get was $38,430 per year.
Occupational therapist assistant with prior experience working in an occupational therapy office or other health care setting will have the best job opportunities. There will be a lot of demand for this job as there is increase in the people found with disabilities or people with their functions limited. It is not only a job, but it is a service to the people.
