Occupational Therapy Assistant

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant); Certified Occupational Assistant; Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA); Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA); Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant (LOTA); Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA); Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA); Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA); Registered Therapist Assistant; School Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (School Based COTA)

Tasks

• Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
• Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
• Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
• Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
• Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
• Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
• Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
• Attend continuing education classes.
• Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
• Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of clients with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
• Communicate and collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved with the care of a patient.
• Work under the direction of occupational therapists to plan, implement, or administer educational, vocational, or recreational programs that restore or enhance performance in individuals with functional impairments.
• Alter treatment programs to obtain better results if treatment is not having the intended effect.
• Assemble, clean, or maintain equipment or materials for patient use.
• Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• Psychology
• Education and Training
• Therapy and Counseling
• English Language
• Public Safety and Security
• Administrative
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Computers and Electronics
• Medicine and Dentistry

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension
• Near Vision
• Deductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Speech Clarity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Fluency of Ideas
• Static Strength
• Category Flexibility
• Selective Attention
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Finger Dexterity
• Trunk Strength