Occupational Therapy Assistant
Are you responsible, patient and willing to work as part of a team? Are you caring and wanting to help people who are not able to help themselves? If so, a career as an occupational therapy assistant might be right for you.
Occupational therapy assistants work in partnership with occupational therapists providing rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments. The ultimate goal is to improve clients’ quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. Occupational therapy assistants help patients with rehabilitative activities and exercises outlined in a treatment plan developed in collaboration with an occupational therapist. Activities range from teaching the proper method of moving from a bed into a wheelchair to the best way to stretch and limber the muscles of the hand. Assistants monitor an individual’s activities to make sure that they are performed correctly and to provide encouragement and also record their client’s progress for the occupational therapist.
First Steps:
Take high school courses in biology and health. Volunteer in nursing care facilities, an occupational or physical therapist's office or other heath care settings.
Earnings:
Listed below are hourly/annual wages for both entry level and experienced occupational therapy assistants and the annual median hourly/annual wage.**
| Entry Wage |
Median Wage |
Experienced Wage |
| Hourly |
Annual |
Hourly |
Annual |
Hourly |
Annual |
| $12.02 |
$25,379 |
$23.24 |
$48,337 |
$27.13 |
$56,429 |
**Wage Data 2009, State of Illinois Department of Employment Security
Work Environment:
Occupational therapy assistants need to have a moderate degree of strength because of the physical exertion required to assist patients. Assistants may need to lift patients; constant kneeling, stooping and standing for long periods are also part of the job. Most full-time occupational therapy assistants work about 40 hours per week, which may include weekends and evenings to meet patient needs.
Job Outlook:
Employment is expected to grow much faster than average as demand for occupational therapy services rises and as occupational therapists increasingly use assistants and aides.
Education:
Professional/Educational Requirements
To apply for a license as an occupational therapy assistant, applicants must file with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Division of Professional Regulation a completed, signed application, on forms supplied by the Division that includes:
- Certification of completion of an approved academic program of occupational therapy.
- Verification of the successful completion of the Certification Examination for Occupational Therapy Assistants.
- Complete work history since completion of education as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.
- The required fee of $25.
Professional Organization: