Occupational Therapy Assistants

patient social interests equipment care document progress therapy instruction positive attitude client

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

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Dental Assistant; Dental Assistant Craftsman; Dental Assistant Journeyman; Health Services Management Apprentice; Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology; Health Services Management Journeyman, Health Information Technology; Physical Medicine; Physical Medicine Apprentice, Orthotic; Physical Medicine Helper; Physical Medicine Journeyman, Orthotic
Medical Specialist Corps Officer; Occupational Therapy; Occupational Therapy Specialist; Physical Therapy; Physical Therapy Specialist; Specialist Allied Operations
Health Services Technician; Medical Administration Specialty
No similar titles were found.
Hospital Corpsman; Occupational Therapist; Occupational Therapy Assistant; Physical Therapy Technician
Physical Medicine Manager
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Math and Science

  • psychology
  • sociology and anthropology

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Skills

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Social

  • looking for ways to help people
  • understanding people's reactions

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Concern for Others
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Medical software

  • eClinicalWorks EHR software Hot Technology
  • Laboratory information system LIS

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Accounting software

  • Billing software
  • Financial record software

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
associate's degree
usually needed

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about occupational therapy assistants.