THE WORLD IS CHANGING RAPIDLY, SO ARE HEALTH CARE CAREERS

Home About Us Our Sponsors Careers Education Employers Labor Market Info Important Links Downloads Contact Us		Occupational Therapist Assistant  (Rehabilitation Professions) DID YOU KNOW?   (click for more) DID YOU KNOW?   (click to hide) Occupational Therapist Assistant - Did-You-Know: 1. Occupational Therapist Assistants (OTAs) are seeing many more patients for repetitive stress injuries related to personal digital assistants (PDAs), gaming, and text messaging. 2. OTAs use handheld computers to help persons with cognitive disabilities organize and structure their day. The computers serve as calendars, reminders and data storage devices. Usage of handheld computers in this way is allowing greater social participation for people with disabilities. 3. Virtual Reality (VR) is a new modality for OTAs. With virtual reality simulators, patients can work on skills such as range of motion, balance, eye-hand-body coordination and strength. VR has even been considered to help students with Aspergers or Autism to work on appropriate social interactions. 4. OTAs work to help people age in place. Improved technology and lower costs have impacted environmental modifications available for the home. Environmental control units are smaller and less costly, and allow a person to control everything from the lights, to the TV, to the telephone. How is technology impacting any of the following areas in the Occupational Therapy field? 1. Education: Computer based testing in school and national board exam. Formats such as Blackboard and WebCT mean that students have access to classroom resources at all times. 2. Research: Articles and research opportunities are now readily accessible. Students only need computer and internet to access. 3. Direct Patient Care: As a treatment modality, and its technology usage is creating new problems for users, which can be addressed by OTA’s. 4. Administrative issues: Documentation is rapidly changing from a paper based to computer based system. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: 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 they are performed correctly and provide encouragement. They also record their client`s progress for use by 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 billing of the client`s health insurance provider. Mean annual salary for this position is $44,430. WHERE EMPLOYED: About 30 percent of assistants worked in hospitals, 23 percent worked in offices of occupational therapists, and 18 percent in nursing and personal care facilities. The remainder primarily worked in offices and clinics of physicians, social services agencies, outpatient rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies. PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Assistants and aides must be responsible, patient, and willing to take directions and work as part of a team. Furthermore, they should be caring and want to help people who are not able to help themselves. Occupational therapist assistants need to have a moderate degree of strength, due to the physical exertion required in assisting patients with their treatment. For example, in some cases, assistants need to help lift patients. Additionally, constant kneeling, stooping, and standing for long periods all are part of the job. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Persons must complete an associate`s degree or certificate program from an accredited community college or technical school to qualify for occupational therapist assistant jobs. Students also must complete supervised fieldwork in a clinic or community setting. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants to occupational therapist assistant programs can improve their chances of admission by taking high school courses in biology and health and by performing volunteer work in nursing homes, occupational or physical therapist`s offices, or elsewhere in the health care field. Educational program types for this career. EMPLOYERS: Potential employers for this career. LAST UPDATED: 9/9/2007 - Update Current status - Active
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