National
| Median wages (2008) |
$23.19 hourly, $48,230 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
25,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
10,000 additional employees |
31-2011.00 - Occupational Therapist 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:
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant-Licensed (COTA-L), Occupational Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Behavior Specialist, Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant
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, and the care and use of adaptive equipment.
- Evaluate the daily living skills and capacities of physically, developmentally or emotionally disabled clients.
- Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
- Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
- Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes and behavior.
- Alter treatment programs to obtain better results if treatment is not having the intended effect.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Arm orthopedic softgoods — Arm braces; Slings |
| Headpointers or mouthsticks for the physically challenged — Headpointers; Mouthsticks; Optical pointers |
| Leather accessories — Leather scissors; Rawhide mallets; Rotary punches; Wing dividers |
| Therapeutic heating or cooling pads or compresses or packs — Cold packs; Therapeutic hot packs |
| Writing aids for the physically challenged — Word prediction software; Writing support software |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Billing software; Bookkeeping software; Fifth Walk BillingTracker; Financial record software |
| Computer based training software — BrainTrain Captain's Log; BrainTrain IVA+Plus; Language arts educational software; Math educational software |
| Data base user interface and query software — Database software; dBase; FileMaker Pro software; Microsoft Access |
| Medical software — Client caseload management software; SpectraSoft DocuPRO; TheraClin Systems iMAPR; Visual Health Information VHI PC-Kits |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
