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Occupational Therapy Assistant

Also called: Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

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.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Healthcare
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Median pay
$72,300/yr
Typical range
$51,490 – $89,780
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does an Occupational Therapy Assistant 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.

  • 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.

How to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant

Training: An associate's degree or other 2-year degree. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questionsTalking to othersLooking for ways to help peopleUnderstanding people's reactionsThinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best oneFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Is it a fit for you?

  • Optimism
  • Empathy
  • Social Orientation
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity

Tools and technology

eClinicalWorks EHR softwareLaboratory information system LISMicrosoft PowerPointDatabase softwareMicrosoft Access

Questions people ask

How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant make?

About $72,300 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $51,490 and $89,780. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

No four-year degree is needed. An associate's degree or other 2-year degree.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

Physical Therapist Assistant$68,380 a yearRespiratory Therapist$82,280 a yearMedical Assistant$42,000 a yearDental Assistant$44,820 a yearCertified Nursing Assistant (CNA)$38,200 a yearPharmacy Technician$40,300 a year

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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