Occupational Therapy Assistants
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant/Licensed (COTA/L), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant-Licensed (COTA-L), Licensed Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA/L), Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), School Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
- Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
- Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
- Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
- Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
Technology Skills
- Accounting software:Accounting software,Billing software,Bookkeeping software,Fifth Walk BillingTracker,Financial record software
- Action games:BrainTrain SmartDriver
- Calendar and scheduling software:Scheduling software
- Computer based training software:BrainTrain IVA+Plus,Language arts educational software,Math educational software
- Data base user interface and query software:Database software,dBASE,FileMaker Pro,Microsoft Access
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others:Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Documenting/Recording Information:Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Performing General Physical Activities:Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Detailed Work Activities
- Administer screening tests to determine abilities or treatment needs.
- Assist patients with daily activities.
- Attend educational events to update medical knowledge.
- Clean medical equipment.
- Communicate patient status to other health practitioners.
Work Context
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:95% responded"Every day"
- Contact With Others:86% responded"Constant contact with others"
- Work With Work Group or Team:83% responded"Extremely important"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:78% responded"Every day"
- Physical Proximity:77% responded"Very close (near touching)"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Social Perceptiveness:Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Time Management:Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service:Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Psychology:Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Education and Training:Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Therapy and Counseling:Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 82%Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
- 10%Master's Degree
- 8%Bachelor's Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Problem Sensitivity:The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Written Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Interests
- Social:Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
- Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Work Styles
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Adaptability/Flexibility:Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Self-Control:Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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