What Are the Job Duties of an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
There are many benefits to becoming an occupational therapy assistant: an exciting job description, a well-established work environment, excellent pay, and a bright outlook. It is a prestigious health career whereby one has a chance to make a difference in people’s lives every day. Being an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) currently would rank among the fastest-growing careers since demand is high and employment is thought to rise more in the future.
Designed to get you into the medical field quickly, the OTA Course Program takes a shorter period as compared to other healthcare fields such as doctors or nurses. Primarily, the OTAs support occupational therapists by providing therapy and care. These professionals work with the patients to develop, recover, or improve skills needed in daily living and performance. If you’re looking for a fulfilling job that will leave your mark, then consider being an OTA.
What do these healthcare professionals do?
OTA assists patients in developing, restoring, and improving skills that the specific patients may have lost or are no longer capable of doing due to illness or incapacitating circumstances. OTAs will be supervised by the registered occupational therapist; however, they will perform most of the practical tasks of executing the treatment regimes. They directly engage the patient in evaluating a specified condition, tracking development, and employing some actions that are of different natures to help in the therapy process.
They help people of all ages in various situations. You may help a child develop motor skills, assist a grown-up in living with chronic disease, or even support elderly people in coping with aging. It is dynamic because the challenges and opportunities change daily.
OTAs love their jobs because they tangibly make a difference in the lives of their patients by helping them have greater independence and a better quality of life. If one is urged to assist others in need, this can become an extremely enriching and efficient career line.
Job Duties-
The day-to-day tasks of an occupational therapy assistant differ from one setting to another but typically consist of some supporting duties.
An occupational therapy assistant performs therapeutic activities to care for the patient through stretching and other exercises. They motivate and encourage the patient to complete tasks that have been prescribed in their treatment plans. Teaching patients how to use special equipment is also a critical part of this field.
OTAs work with developmentally disabled children, leading them in play activities to encourage coordination and social skills—for example, picking up small foods, building block towers, or matching colors and shapes. The OTAs record the progress made by their patients and report back to an occupational therapist for follow-through on effective treatment.
OTA tasks also include some administrative duties, such as scheduling appointments and assisting patients with insurance forms. Before the sessions, they set up the treatment areas with therapy equipment and cleaned the areas and equipment after the procedure. Transportation of patients, if needed, is another critical part of this job.
Beyond that, OTAs instruct patients, families, and caregivers in how to continue many therapy techniques at home for continued progress. That multifaceted, high-impact role makes a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, ensuring a rewarding career for those passionate about helping others.
OTAs often work in association with occupational therapists to devise an individual treatment plan centered on a patient’s particular needs and abilities. A person bedridden from illness or injury may start with some stretching and then progress to sitting, standing, or even using a wheelchair. A patient who lost the use of their hand from some manual job injury would focus on regaining motor skills. The patient with a Learning Disability or Emotional Disability is taught skills for more independence.
It is the job of an OTA to ensure patients are able to apply the activities and therapies in the proper ways so they can see the progress. If progress is not what it needs to be, the OTA and OT will work together to come up with a revised treatment plan. Only because of this dynamic teamwork and personal touch can OTAs make a huge difference in the lives of their patients and help them gain better functionality and independence. Hence, it is a great career for people who have a passion for patient care and rehabilitation.
Where do these professionals work?
An occupational therapy assistant discovers varied career opportunities in healthcare—through hospitals, schools, and assisted living facilities. Many OTA graduates work in geriatrics, pediatrics, home health care, nursing homes, community settings, and rehabilitation centers, addressing a wide array of patient needs, changing lives in many different environments.
How do you choose the best training center for OTA?
There are many training institutes offering different training programs, including OTA, medical assistant, nursing, esthetics, and massage therapy courses. It’s difficult to choose the best among them to get OTA training.
Several factors should be taken into consideration when looking at an OTA school: accreditation, testifying that a high level of education is delivered, and program length. Although they are all basically a few months long, some schools offer accelerated tracks, while others allow students to progress at their own pace. It’s important to choose a program that fits your schedule and learning style.
Also, consider the overall tuition cost plus books and living expenses. Many schools offer financial aid to assist with these costs. Note the specific admission requirements to the school, which may include prerequisites for general education classes or basic medical terminology.
Of key importance is the experience of the faculty. Last but not least, look for job placement support in a training center that gives resources and guidance on starting off on the right note in your career.