Occupational Therapy Aides Job Description

Occupational Therapy Assistants

An occupational therapy aide prepares equipment for occupational therapists and may help patients get to and from treatment rooms. They can also perform clerical duties such as answering phones. Rehabilitation involves people who have lost their ability to perform daily living activities due to an illness, injury or disability.

An occupational therapy aide does not provide direct patient care. They help facilitate treatment by providing support for those who do. Occupational therapy aides need to be able to lift and move patients.

They need to be able to work with technology and handle medical equipment. OT aides and assistants have different educational requirements. Patients are helped by occupational therapist assistants to do therapeutic activities.

OT aides only do tasks that are related to patient care. OT aides need a high school or equivalency degree, while OT assistants need an associate's degree from an accredited training program. OT assistants need to be licensed in the state they want to work in, but aides don't.

Volunteering as an OT Aide at Nursing Homes

The services rendered may lead to additional restrictions in each setting, state, or service. The scope of practice of an OT aide in one state may be different than in another. OT aides do not provide any occupational therapy services.

OT aides are very supportive of the rehabilitation team. Students often ask what job they should get to increase their experience with therapy and increase their chances of getting accepted into an occupational therapy program. If you can't find an OT aide position near you, you might want to consider volunteering at nursing homes.

Online Training Certificate for Occupational Therapy Aide

A degree is not required for the post of occupational therapy aide. Some schools offer online training certificates to high school graduates who want to become OT aides. Few schools offer online certificate course that helps the person to learn the basics of human systems and occupational therapy.

Fees are about $700 for the duration of 4 months. They should have basic computer and data entry skills, and use basic applications like Microsoft Word, Microsoft excel, and PowerPoint. The main work of occupational therapy Aide is typing.

OT aides work in the innturment setting. The aseptic atmosphere is looked for to prevent infections. They should know how to clean their hands.

Occupational Therapy Assistants: Skills, Experience and Education

Occupational therapy assistants and aides work in occupational therapists offices, hospitals and nursing care facilities. Occupational therapy assistants and aides spend a lot of time on their feet while setting up equipment and providing therapy to patients. An associate's degree is required for occupational therapy assistants.

Occupational therapy assistants are regulated by all the states. Occupational therapy aides need a high school degree or equivalent to get training. Over the decade, there are about 8,800 openings for occupational therapy assistants and aides.

Many openings are expected to be caused by the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire. Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients improve and develop skills needed for daily living and working. Occupational therapy aides perform support activities while occupational therapy assistants provide therapy to patients.

Both aides and assistants are directed by occupational therapists. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work together to develop and carry out a treatment plan for each patient. Plans include teaching patients how to move from a bed into a wheelchair and advising patients on the best way to stretch their muscles.

An occupational therapy assistant can help injured workers get back into the workforce by teaching them how to work around lost motor skills. People with learning disabilities may be taught skills that will allow them to be more independent. The assistants make sure that patients are doing their jobs.

Occupational Therapy Aids

An occupational therapy aide is not usually involved with a patient, but is able to support them under the supervision of an occupational therapists. They would set up therapy equipment for the patient. Sometimes they can help a therapist or assistant with safety measures when patients are being transferred from wheelchairs, beds, therapy mats, or medical equipment.

The aides keep the treatment areas clean and ready for the next patient. They help patients move to and from treatment areas, schedule appointments, and fill out insurance forms. Most aides and assistants work in hospitals.

Both spend a lot of time on their feet, setting up equipment, bending and lifting patients. It is possible that evening and weekend hours are required. Occupational therapy assistants need an associate's degree from an accredited program.

The Employment Opportunities of Occupational Therapy Assistants

The Holland Code framework states that occupational therapy assistants have an interest in the Building and Helping areas. The focus of the Building interest area is on working with tools and machines. The Helping interest area is focused on helping, serving, counseling, or teaching other people.

If you don't know if you have a Building or Helping interest that would fit with a career as an occupational therapy assistant, you can take a career test to see if you have an interest. There is compassion. Patients who struggle with many of life's basic activities are often worked with by occupational therapy assistants and aides.

They should be compassionate and caring and have the ability to encourage others. There is flexibility. When treating patients, assistants must be flexible.

When working with occupational therapists, assistants may need to be creative in their approach to determining the best type of therapy to use for achieving a patient's goals. Interpersonal skills are important. Occupational therapy assistants and aides spend a lot of time with patients.

They should be friendly and courteous and they should be able to communicate with patients. The median wage for occupational therapy aides was $29,230 in May. Half of the workers in an occupation earn more than the median wage, and half earn less.