Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) play an important role in the healthcare team. They work under the supervision of occupational therapists to provide therapy to patients with a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. OTAs help patients regain or improve the skills they need to participate in everyday activities and live independently.

OTAs are an important part of the healthcare team. They provide valuable services to patients of all ages, and they play a vital role in helping people recover from injuries or illnesses, improve their quality of life, and reach their full potential.

• Occupational Therapy FAQ
• Pre-Occupational Therapy pre-reqs guide (pdf)
• American Occupational Therapy Association

Occupational therapy assistants help people with

Some common things that OTAs help people with include:

Rehabilitating people from injuries or illnesses.

OTAs can help people regain the skills they need to perform everyday activities, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They can also help people learn how to use adaptive equipment or assistive technology.

Helping people with disabilities live independently.

OTAs can help people with disabilities develop the skills they need to live independently in their homes and communities. They can also help people find employment and participate in social activities.

Providing early intervention services for children with developmental delays.

OTAs can work with children who have developmental delays to help them reach their full potential. They can provide therapy to help children with fine motor skills, gross motor skills, cognitive skills, and social-emotional skills.

What is the difference between an Occupational Therapy Assistant and an Occupational Therapy Aide?

An occupational therapy assistant is a graduate of an accredited occupational therapy assistant educational program and is eligible to sit for the national certification examination. Most states regulate occupational therapy assistants. Occupational therapy aides provide supportive services to the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.

Occupational therapy aides usually receive their training on the job and are not eligible for certification or licensure. Occupational therapy aide programs are not accredited by AOTA's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), and certification of aides is not required. You may want to contact your state regulatory board to determine what services and regulations apply to occupational therapy aides in your state.

How do I become an OT Assistant?

A two-year associate’s degree from an accredited ACOTE program is required, and candidates must pass a national licensure exam. OTA students will complete at least 16 weeks of field experience in addition to course work.

Where do OTAs find jobs?

In a variety of health care settings, including health clinics, hospitals, nursing care facilities, schools and home health programs.

What is the job outlook for OTAs?

As with OTs, it is predicted that OTA employment will increase upwards of 30%. Part of this growth will be due to the aging Baby Boomer population, as well as the need to continue to reduce health care costs.

What is the average salary of an OTA?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for OTAs in 2022 was $66,280. OTAs in schools earn significantly less than OTAs in home health care services.