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.
|
|
Also called: |
Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant), Certified Occupational Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant (LOTA), Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA), Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Registered Therapist Assistant, School Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (School Based COTA)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wages
|
Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 31.01 |
$64,510 |
25% |
$ 31.93 |
$66,410 |
Median |
$ 32.53 |
$67,660 |
75% |
$ 33.63 |
$69,940 |
90% |
$ 37.46 |
$77,920 |
|
Average |
$ 33.40 |
$69,460 |
|
More at CareerOneStop |
|
| |
Industries of Employment
United States - 2022 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Ambulatory healthcare services
| 55% |
- Hospitals; state, local, and private
| 18% |
- Nursing and residential care facilities
| 17% |
- Educational services; state, local, and private
| 6% |
| 2% |
More at BLS |
|
|
|
Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- 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.
|
- 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.
|
- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
|
- 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.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Skills
People in this career often have these 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.
|
- Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
|
- Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
|
- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
|
- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
|
- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
|
- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
|
What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
|
|
|
Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
|
- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
|
- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
|
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
|
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Tasks
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.
|
- Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
|
- Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Related Occupations
|
|
|
|
Career Video
|
|
Projected Employment
|
Vermont |
2022 employment |
35 |
2032 employment |
43 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
2.1% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
6 |
More at Occupational Projections |
|
| |
Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Associate's degree
|
- Work experience in a related occupation
None
|
- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
|
Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
|
|
|
Physical Work Activity
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. |
- Physical activity is Very Important
|
- Level of activity is Moderate
|
|
|
Low | | High |
|
|
|
Compare Occupations at O*NET |
|
|
|
Job Zone
Medium Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(6.0 to < 7.0) - A typical worker will require
over 1 year up to and including 2 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
|
Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
|
|
|
Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 0% |
Bachelor's degree | | 3% |
Associate's degree | | 92% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 5% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 0% |
Less than high school diploma | | 0% |
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
|
- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
|
- 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 Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
|
- Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
|
- Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
|
- Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
|
- Thinking Creatively
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
|
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Teach basic living or other adaptive skills to patients or caregivers.
|
- Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
|
- Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
|
- Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.
|
- Communicate patient status to other health practitioners.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Other Resources
|
- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
|
- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|