- Occupational therapist assistants and aides work under the supervision of occupational therapists to provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments.
- The ultimate goal is to improve clients' quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
- For example, occupational therapist assistants help injured workers re-enter the labour force by teaching them how to compensate for lost motor skills or help individuals with learning disabilities increase their independence.
- Occupational therapist assistants help clients with rehabilitative activities and exercises outlined in a treatment plan developed in collaboration with an occupational therapist.
- Activities range from teaching the proper method of moving from a bed into a wheelchair to the best way to stretch and limber the muscles of the hand.
- Assistants monitor an individual's activities to make sure that they are performed correctly and to provide encouragement.
- They also record their client's progress for the occupational therapist.
- If the treatment is not having the intended effect, or the client is not improving as expected, the therapist may alter the treatment program in hopes of obtaining better results.
- In addition, occupational therapist assistants document the billing of the client's health insurance provider.
- Occupational therapist aides typically prepare materials and assemble equipment used during treatment.
- They are responsible for a range of clerical tasks, including scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, restocking or ordering depleted supplies, and filling out insurance forms or other paperwork.
- Aides are not regulated by States, so the law does not allow them to perform as wide a range of tasks as occupational therapist assistants.
- Jobseekers holding only a high school diploma might face keen competition for occupational therapist aide jobs.
- Demand for occupational therapist assistants and aides will continue to rise because of the increasing number of individuals with disabilities or limited function.
- The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services.
- These patients often need additional assistance in their treatment, making the roles of assistants and aides vital.
- Also, the large baby-boom generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks and strokes, further increasing the demand for cardiac and physical rehabilitation.
- In addition, future medical developments should permit an increased percentage of trauma victims to survive, creating added demand for therapy services.
- Occupational therapists are expected to increasingly employ assistants to reduce the cost of occupational therapy services.
- Once a patient is evaluated and a treatment plan is designed by the therapist, the occupational therapist assistant can provide many aspects of treatment, as prescribed by the therapist.
- Opportunities for occupational therapist assistants should be very good.
- However, individuals with only a high school diploma may face keen competition for occupational therapist aide jobs.
- Occupational therapist assistants and aides with prior experience working in an occupational therapy office or other healthcare setting will have the best job opportunities.
Occupational therapist assistants and aides work under the supervision and direction of Occupational therapists. Other workers in the healthcare field who work under similar supervision include Dental assistants; Medical assistants; Pharmacy technicians and aides; Physical therapist assistants and aids;
An associate degree from an accredited academic program
This career information is drawn from data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.