what is the occupational therapy assistant course like

What's it like being an occupational therapist assistant?

OTAs help people gain or regain an ability to perform tasks in everyday life such as eating, having a conversation, getting dressed, etc. As an OTA, you will experience unforgettable moments with your patients as well as face challenging times.Sep 3, 2019

What do you learn in Ota?

For example, in your OTA degree program, you'll learn about the principles of occupational therapy and how they apply in real-life scenarios. Then, depending on the OTA degree program you choose, you'll begin to incorporate fieldwork into your studies.Sep 29, 2019

Is being an occupational therapy assistant stressful?

Stress Level Combined with the attractive work-life balance, this makes OTA one of the least stressful health care jobs.Feb 4, 2016

Is being a COTA a good career?

While being a COTA is a very rewarding job, there has been an increased difficulty for COTAs in many cities to find jobs right out of school. This is also the case for even seasoned COTAs in some cities and job markets.Aug 16, 2019

Is becoming an OTA hard?

The classes might be hard, but it could be worth the effort to earn your college degree and begin a rewarding healthcare career in as little as 2 years as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.Aug 21, 2017

How much do otas make in California?

The average salary for a certified occupational therapy assistant is $34.38 per hour in California. 476 salaries reported, updated at April 15, 2022.

Are occupational therapist assistants happy?

At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, occupational therapist assistants rate their career happiness 3.0 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 33% of careers.

Is Ota a good career 2021?

Is an occupational therapy assistant a good career? It is! With more job openings than other occupations, and a much higher median salary scale, the OTA career path is steady and satisfactory.

What problems do occupational therapists face?

The challenges facing occupational therapists include proving our value in an economic trend of downsizing, competing within the medical profession, developing and affiliating with new payer sources, and reengineering our careers to meet the needs of the new, nontraditional health care marketplace.

What are the disadvantages of occupational therapy?

Few disadvantages are associated with being employed as an occupational therapist....Challenges of Being an Occupational TherapistThe Medical Field is Emotionally Stressful. ... Occupational Therapy is a Physically Demanding Job. ... Institutional Barriers May Prevent Desired Results. ... Long Work Hours Are Common.Mar 20, 2017

Where do OTAs make the most money?

Best-Paying States for Occupational Therapy Assistants The states and districts that pay Occupational Therapy Assistants the highest mean salary are California ($73,930), Nevada ($73,930), New Jersey ($71,680), Texas ($69,420), and Connecticut ($68,780).

What is the difference between OTA and Cota?

The difference between a COTA and an OTA is that a COTA is certified in their field. An OTA must register with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and complete the required exam to become certified. This exam can be separate from state licensing but is not always required to practice.Mar 28, 2022

How long does it take to become an occupational therapy assistant?

Levels of Online Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs. Generally, prospective occupational therapy assistants can begin their career after two years of training in an associate degree program. However, those who want to advance in their careers can get additional training to land higher-level positions.

What to do after working as an occupational therapist assistant?

After working as an occupational therapy assistant for a while and mastering the job, professionals may decide they want to move into more challenging positions in the health care field . One step these professionals may make is to complete a bridge program to train to become an occupational therapist.

What is an OTA degree?

Because occupational therapy involves patients, earning your OTA degree online also means hands-on training. OTA students need to learn how to use specific tools and apply therapy techniques while at a campus or an approved healthcare facility.

What is the NBCOT exam?

In order for students to be eligible to sit for the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination, which is required to get a state license, they must enroll in an online OTA program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

How much does an occupational therapy assistant make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapy assistants make a median salary of $60,220 per year. The top earners in the field make $80,980 annually, while the lowest 10 percent of earners are earning $39,620.

Do occupational therapists need a license?

All states require that occupational therapy assistants receive a license in order to legally work in their state. However, state requirements can vary, so it’s important for students to find out what is expected of them. In some cases, graduates can receive a temporary license, which allows them to work on a limited basis, until they have received the results of the licensing test. To find out how to contact their state board, students can visit the American Occupational Therapy Association.

What is an OT assistant?

Depending on your personality, this could be a pro or a con. Occupational therapy assistants work under the guidance of an occupational therapist, who conducts the client evaluation and assessment, then comes up with treatment goals and a big-picture plan for accomplishing them. With the exception of small practices, where the OT may do it all, the OTA then steps in to carry out the plan, keeping the occupational therapist informed of the client’s progress and collaborating with him or her throughout the process. This gives OTAs significant room for creativity in how they approach and accomplish these goals. So while OTAs are not in charge, they aren’t just order-takers, either.

What does an OTA do?

As an OTA, you will make a difference in people’s lives every single day — helping them to live better, maintain or regain independence, learn new skills, improve mobility, and adapt to or overcome disabilities, among other things.

Is there a demand for occupational therapy assistants?

While demand for occupational therapy assistants is growing, particularly in home care settings, it’s important to keep in mind that demand varies from one place to another. If you have no intentions of moving after school, you’ll want to research opportunities in your area. You might even reach out to local OTs and OTAs to get a feel for what’s available near you.

Is an OTA part time?

A quick search of OTA jobs reveals a wide variety of full-time and part-time opportunities. Some jobs, like those in nursing homes and hospitals, may offer fixed schedules, while others vary based on the setting, and needs and schedules of their clients. Nor are OTA jobs confined to Monday through Friday. Some OTAs work weekends, and may even prefer it.

Can you work with an occupational therapist?

As an OTA, you’ll work closely with not only occupational therapists, allowing you to continue learning after you graduate, but you’ll also get to see other medical practitioners at work. Depending on the client’s needs and situation, you could work with any number of medical disciplines.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Requirements

Depending on your previous education, you may have to complete some or all of the liberal arts and science (LAS) core requirements. Consisting of 18 credits, these courses make up for any general education credits you may have missed.

Speak With an Admissions Counselor

Committed to helping you create an academic timeline based on your previous education, your admissions counselor will build a positive rapport with you from the very start.

Choose Your Path

In this case, no LAS courses would transfer in. This means you will have to complete all 4 prerequisites, along with 4 of the 6 LAS courses before applying to the professional sequence. If you take 8-12 credits a semester, it may take you anywhere from 2-3 semesters before applying to start the professional sequence of OTA courses.

Where Can I Complete My Prerequisites?

While you’re encouraged to complete your OTA prerequisites through St. Catherine University, the program also accepts course credits from other accredited institutions.

Discover Your Path Today

Prerequisites for occupational therapy assistant programs shouldn’t stress you out, they should excite you! Now you have an idea how long it can take to complete prerequisites and it’s time to get to work.

How long does it take to become an occupational therapy assistant?

In addition to taking coursework, occupational therapy assistants must complete at least 16 weeks of fieldwork to gain hands-on work experience.

Why are occupational therapy assistants needed?

Occupational therapy assistants and aides will be needed to help therapists treat additional patients and to ensure that treatment facility operations run smoothly. However, demand for occupational therapy services is related to the ability of patients to pay, either directly or through health insurance.

What do occupational therapists do?

Occupational therapy aides typically do the following: Prepare treatment areas, such as setting up therapy equipment. Transport patients. Clean treatment areas and equipment. Help patients with billing and insurance forms. Perform clerical tasks, including scheduling appointments and answering telephones.

How much will occupational therapy assistants grow in 2029?

Job Outlook. Overall employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is projected to grow 32 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities.

What degree do you need to become an occupational therapist?

Education and Training. Occupational therapy assistants typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program.

What is the median wage for occupational therapy assistants?

The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $62,940 in May 2020.

How many jobs are there in occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy aides held about 8,000 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of occupational therapy aides were as follows: Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists. 47%.

What is an occupational therapy assistant?

The certified occupational therapy assistant is defined as an individual who works under the guidance and supervision of the registered occupational therapist (OTR) and may provide assistance in the evaluation, program planning, and treatment processes (AOTA, 1981). Occupational therapist (OT), Occupational therapy Assistant (OTA), ...

How long does it take to become an occupational therapy assistant?

Occupational therapy assistants are graduates of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) accredited Associate’s degree programs, which are generally 2 years in duration. An OTA can expand their role by establishing service competency-.

Where do OT assistants work?

The OT assistants are in good demands in the following practice areas – Skilled care nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, schools, Rehabilitation centers, general hospital, and psychiatric hospitals.

What is an OTA in occupational therapy?

Occupational therapist (OT), Occupational therapy Assistant (OTA), and Occupational therapy Aides come under the occupational therapy domain. An OTA is nothing but a COTA. People use these terms interchangeably. OTA is a qualified person but he/she cannot use the term COTA until he/she clears the certification exam.

How many hours of fieldwork is required for an occupational therapy assistant?

But they have to follow some sequence –. Complete the accredited educational program of OTA, this program must include 12 weeks or 440 hours of level II fieldwork.

What is the role of the COTA?

The COTA contributes to the evaluation process by reporting observations, the current level of functioning, impairment, and gathering related data. The OTR (supervisor) is legally responsible for the outcomes of all occupational therapy services provided by the COTA.

What is AOTA in OT?

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) supports the independent practice of OT assistants with advanced level of skills who work for independent living centers. But state licensure laws and scope of practice legislation may supersede this recommendation.

What is an OTA degree?

When choosing from occupational therapy schools, remember this: an accelerated OTA degree program also means a faster start in a career. For 2019, US News & World Report named OTA as one of the top 25 “best health care support jobs” in the nation. Even better, the “Best Jobs” report noted that becoming an occupational therapy assistant offered “above average” career advancement.

Is it wrong to be an OTA?

There’s nothing wrong with looking for a career with good pay, the opportunity to help others live a better life , and has a substantial role in the expanding health care economy . Delivering all three advantages may sound impossible, but those who’ve learned about becoming an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) have found it’s true.