In an effort to control rising health care costs, third-party
payers are expected to encourage occupational therapists to
delegate more hands-on therapy work to lower-paid occupational
therapist assistants and aides.
Occupational therapist assistants and aides work under the
direction 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 labor force by teaching them how to compensate for lost
motor skills or help individuals with learning disabilities
increase their independence.
Occupational therapist assistants, commonly known
as occupational therapy 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 licensed, so the law does not allow them to perform
as wide a range of tasks as occupational therapist assistants.
The hours and days that occupational therapist assistants
and aides work vary with the facility and with whether they
are full- or part-time employees. Many outpatient therapy
offices and clinics have evening and weekend hours, to help
coincide with patients’ personal schedules.
Occupational therapist assistants and aides need to have
a moderate degree of strength, because of the physical exertion
required in assisting patients with their treatment. For example,
assistants and aides may need to lift patients. Constant kneeling,
stooping, and standing for long periods also are part of the
job.
| Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement |
An associate degree or a certificate from an accredited community
college or technical school is generally required to qualify
for occupational therapist assistant jobs. In contrast, occupational
therapist aides usually receive most of their training on
the job.
There were 135 accredited occupational therapist assistant
programs in 2005. The first year of study typically involves
an introduction to health care, basic medical terminology,
anatomy, and physiology. In the second year, courses are more
rigorous and usually include occupational therapist courses
in areas such as mental health, adult physical disabilities,
gerontology, and pediatrics. Students also must complete 16
weeks of supervised fieldwork in a clinic or community setting.
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 care facilities, occupational or physical therapists’
offices, or other health care settings.
Occupational therapist assistants are regulated in most States
and must pass a national certification examination after they
graduate. Those who pass the test are awarded the title “Certified
Occupational Therapy Assistant.”
Occupational therapist aides usually receive most of their
training on the job. Qualified applicants must have a high
school diploma, strong interpersonal skills, and a desire
to help people in need. Applicants may increase their chances
of getting a job by volunteering their services, thus displaying
initiative and aptitude to the employer.
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 and aides held about 27,000
jobs in 2004. Occupational therapist assistants held about
21,000 jobs, and occupational therapist aides held approximately
5,400. About 30 percent of jobs for assistants and aides were
in hospitals, 23 percent were in offices of occupational therapists,
and 18 percent were in nursing care facilities. The rest were
primarily in community care facilities for the elderly, home
health care services, individual and family services, and
State government agencies.
Employment of occupational therapist assistants and aides
is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations
through 2014. The impact of proposed Federal legislation imposing
limits on reimbursement for therapy services may adversely
affect the job market for occupational therapist assistants
and aides in the short run. Over the long run, however, demand
for occupational therapist assistants and aides will continue
to rise because of the increasing number of individuals with
disabilities or limited function. Job growth will result from
an aging population, including the baby-boom generation, which
will need more occupational therapy services. The increased
prevalence of sensory disorders in children will increase
the demand for occupational therapy services. Increasing demand
also will result from advances in medicine that allow more
people with critical problems to survive and then need rehabilitative
therapy. In an effort to control rising health care costs,
third-party payers are expected to encourage occupational
therapists to delegate more hands-on therapy work to lower-paid
occupational therapist assistants and aides.
Median annual earnings of occupational therapist assistants
were $38,430 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between
$31,970 and $44,390. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$25,880, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $52,700.
Median annual earnings of occupational therapist assistants
were $40,130 in offices of other health practitioners, which
includes offices of occupational therapists.
Median annual earnings of occupational therapist aides were
$23,150 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between
$19,080 and $31,910. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$15,820, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $41,560.
Occupational therapist assistants and aides work under the
supervision and direction of occupational therapists. Other
workers in the health care field who work under similar supervision
include dental assistants, medical assistants, pharmacy aides,
pharmacy technicians, and physical therapist assistants and
aides.
| Sources of Additional Information |
For information on a career as an occupational therapist
assistant or aide, and a list of accredited programs, contact:
- American Occupational Therapy Association, 4720 Montgomery
Lane, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. Internet: http://www.aota.org/
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Source: Bureau of
Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition
