Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs | Occupational Therapist Assistant
Assistant Occupational Therapist Jobs - What is the Job of a Occupational Therapy Aide? What Do Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants for a Living?
Occupational therapist assistants and occupational therapist aides work under the guidance of occupational therapists in order to rehabilitate patients who have emotional, physical, or developmental difficulties. These responsibilities can range from teaching a patient how to stretch their muscles, to showing them how to move from a bed to a wheelchair.
Therapist assistants make sure that activities are performed correctly, and they also provide encouragement and progress reports. If the treatment is not working, the occupational therapist may change it.
Occupational therapist aides will usually prepare equipment for training sessions, and they have much fewer responsibilities then therapist assistants, as their role is mostly clerical, in a schedule appointments, answer the telephones, and restock supplies.
Working Conditions for Occupational Therapist Assistants - How is the Working Environment for
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Employment?
Occupational therapist assistants have to be strong, due to lifting and assisting patients. Kneeling and standing can take its toll on a occupational therapist aid over time. The hours that occupational therapist assistants will work depend on whether they are full or part time, and therapy assistants may have to work nights or weekends depending on their patients schedules.
Assistant Occupational Therapist Education - How to Become a Occupational Therapy Assistant - How to Receive Your Occupational Therapist Assistant Education
In 2007, 126 assistant occupational therapist programs exist around the country, which usually include two years of training. Some of the occupational therapy classes that are included are gerontology, physical disabilities, and pediatrics. In addition, aspiring occupational therapist assistants must complete 16 hours of supervised work with patients.
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Careers - How to Become Certified from a Occupational Therapy Assistant School
Occupational therapists are not licensed, however, their activities are regulated and they must pass a national certification examination after graduating from class. After receiving this designation, there then known as certified occupational therapy assistants.
Outlook for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Jobs - What is the Future of Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs?
Over the next decade, assistant occupational therapist jobs should grow by about 25%, a very rapid pace. Due to an increase in chronic and debilitating conditions among both young children and the elderly, there is increased demand for professional occupational therapist assistants and their services.
Anyone hoping to enter the field of assistant occupational therapy should have no problems finding employment, and those working in a private practice will have the best opportunities for higher income.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Pay Scale - How Much Do Occupational Therapist Assistants Earn?
In 2006, occupational therapist assistants had median annual earnings of $42,060. These medical professionals have the highest income working in the offices of physical, occupational, or speech therapists, with a median salary of $45,130, while those therapy assistants working in medical hospitals had the lowest salary at $40,060.
Occupational therapist aides earned $25,020 annually in 2006, and those working in nursing care centers had the lowest rate of pay.