National
| Median wages (2008) |
$12.96 hourly, $26,960 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
8,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
3,000 additional employees |
31-2012.00 - Occupational Therapist Aides
Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.
Sample of reported job titles:
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Rehabilitation Aide (Rehab Aide), Occupational Therapy Aide (OT Aide), Occupational Therapy Technician (OT Tech), Rehabilitation Services Aide, Rehabilitation Technician (Rehab Tech), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Occupational Rehabilitation Aide (CORA), Occupational Rehabilitation Aide, Restorative Therapist
Tasks
- Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals.
- Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments.
- Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.
- Manage intradepartmental infection control and equipment security.
- Evaluate the living skills and capacities of physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled clients.
- Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
- Instruct patients and families in work, social, and living skills, the care and use of adaptive equipment, and other skills to facilitate home and work adjustment to disability.
- Supervise patients in choosing and completing work assignments or arts and crafts projects.
- Assist occupational therapists in planning, implementing, and administering therapy programs to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, using selected activities and special equipment.
- Perform clerical, administrative, and secretarial duties, such as answering phones, restocking and ordering supplies, filling out paperwork, and scheduling appointments.
back to top
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged — Augmentative communication systems |
| Braille devices for the physically challenged — Braille writers |
| Crutches or crutch accessories — Crutches |
| Walkers or rollators — Wheeled walkers |
| Wheelchairs |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Calendar and scheduling software — Scheduling software |
| Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software; Microsoft Access |
| Medical software — Electronic medical record EMR software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
