How to Be Occupational Therapist Assistant - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 30, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The role of an Occupational Therapist Assistant is to work with Occupational Therapists to help individuals of all ages participate in activities that promote health and well-being. An OTA must possess the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to provide clients with the best care possible. As such, OTAs have a direct impact on the lives of those they treat; when OTAs are successful in their job, their clients experience improved physical, mental, and social functioning, which in turn can lead to improved quality of life.

Furthermore, OTAs also play an important role in assisting individuals in developing the skills and knowledge needed to help them achieve their goals. By helping individuals gain greater independence in performing everyday tasks, OTAs help reduce the burden on families, improve workplace productivity, and help people develop the necessary skills for meaningful and successful lives.

Steps How to Become

Earn an Associate Degree. The first step to becoming an occupational therapist assistant is to earn an associate degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Complete Fieldwork Requirements. After completing their associate degree, occupational therapist assistants must complete a fieldwork experience. This experience allows students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world settings and is typically completed at an approved site in the community.
Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Exam. Upon completion of the fieldwork experience, occupational therapist assistants must pass the NBCOT exam in order to become certified. This exam tests the knowledge and skills of those seeking certification and is required in order to obtain a license to practice in most states.
Obtain State Licensure. Once you have passed the NBCOT exam, you must obtain a license from your state. Each state has different requirements for licensure and some require additional coursework or experience before you can apply for licensure.
Maintain Certification. In order to maintain certification, occupational therapist assistants must complete continuing education courses every two years in order to stay current with changes in the field. Additionally, most states require that occupational therapist assistants renew their licensure every two to four years by submitting proof of continuing education courses and paying a fee.

The occupational therapist assistant is a skilled and competent professional who helps to improve the quality of life for those with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities. To become an occupational therapist assistant, one must complete an accredited educational program and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. This educational program consists of both classroom and clinical instruction, teaching the necessary knowledge and skills to properly assess, plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans for individuals who need assistance.

Once the program is successfully completed, the individual must also pass the NBCOT examination to demonstrate their competency in this field. Becoming a skilled and competent occupational therapist assistant requires dedication, hard work, and commitment to providing quality care to those in need.

You may want to check Occupational Disability Case Manager, Occupational Hazard Analyst, and Occupational Exposure Scientist for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and implement treatment plans to help patients improve their daily living and work skills.
Assist patients in therapeutic activities, such as exercises and leisure activities.
Monitor progress of patients, adjusting treatment plans as needed.
Educate patients and family members about the patient's condition and available treatment options.
Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists and physicians, to coordinate patient care.
Document information related to patient care, including treatments provided and patient responses.
Prepare and maintain equipment for treatment sessions.
Assist patients with mobility transfers and other activities of daily living.
Provide support to patients in dealing with physical and psychological issues related to their condition.
Provide patient and family education about safety, injury prevention, and home exercise programs.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology
Understanding of physical, cognitive and emotional impairments
Ability to assess patient needs and abilities
Ability to develop and implement therapeutic interventions
Knowledge of the principles of ergonomics
Ability to use assistive technology
Knowledge of physical, mental, and environmental factors that impact health
Communication and interpersonal skills
Knowledge of safety and emergency procedures
Knowledge of reimbursement guidelines and regulations
Ability to document and track patient progress
Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
Ability to provide patient/family education

Being an Occupational Therapist Assistant requires a wide range of skills, but the most important is being able to empathize and connect with people. This is key to being successful in this role as it helps to build trust and rapport with the clients. By understanding their individual needs and motivations, the therapist can create an effective treatment plan that will help them reach their goals.

strong communication skills are essential in order to explain complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand. Furthermore, the ability to problem solve is necessary as the therapist must be able to identify solutions to difficult situations. Finally, it is important to be organized and have good time-management skills in order to stay on track with the client's progress.

All of these skills are necessary for an Occupational Therapist Assistant to be successful and make a positive impact on their clients life.

Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Occupational Health Technician, and Occupational Medicine Physician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the field of occupational therapy?
How would you handle a challenging client?
Describe your experience in helping patients with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
What challenges have you faced while working as an occupational therapy assistant?
How do you effectively communicate with clients and their families?
How do you stay up to date on advances in the field of occupational therapy?
What strategies do you use to motivate and engage with clients?
How do you ensure that all tasks assigned to you are completed in a timely manner?
How would you handle a situation where a client or family member is unhappy with his/her treatment plan?
What techniques do you use to help clients reach their goals?

Common Tools in Industry

Adaptive Equipment. Devices used to help people with physical disabilities complete daily tasks. (e. g. Adaptive eating utensils, mobility aids)
Cognitive Tools. Techniques and strategies used to improve cognitive functioning. (e. g. Memory training, problem solving activities)
Environmental Adaptations. Adjustments to the environment to make it safer or more accessible. (e. g. Grab bars, ramps, lowered countertops)
Exercise Programs. Exercise regimens tailored to an individuals needs and abilities. (e. g. Range of motion exercises, balance activities)
Sensory Tools. Activities and objects that provide sensory input to help calm or focus a person. (e. g. Weighted blankets, calming music)
Splinting. A technique used to immobilize a body part to allow for healing or increased function. (e. g. Hand splints, wrist splints)
Assistive Technology. Devices that help people with disabilities complete tasks more easily or independently. (e. g. Voice recognition software, special keyboards)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)
International Federation of Orthotic and Prosthetic Associations (IFOPA)
American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS)
American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF)
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM)

We also have Occupational Kinesiologist, Occupational Psychologist, and Occupational Physiotherapist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Occupational Therapy. A type of therapy that helps people with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities gain independence in performing daily activities.
Adaptive Equipment. A type of assistive technology that helps people perform tasks more easily and safely.
Self-Care. Activities that an individual can do independently to maintain their health and well-being.
Assistive Technology. Any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Range of Motion (ROM). The amount of movement of a joint or body part from its most extended position to its fullest flexed position.
Motor Control. The ability to move a body part in a coordinated and precise manner in order to perform a task.
Cognitive Functioning. The ability to think and reason, including problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Sensory Integration. The ability to interpret and respond to sensory information from the environment in order to perform an activity or task.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Basic self-care tasks that an individual must be able to do independently in order to care for themselves.
Patient Education. Teaching patients and families about their diagnosis, treatment plan, and how to manage symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)?

An Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) is a healthcare professional who works with an Occupational Therapist to provide rehabilitative services to individuals who have physical, developmental, social or mental disabilities.

What qualifications are needed to become an OTA?

To become an OTA, you must have an Associates degree from an accredited college or university and a license from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

What kind of duties and responsibilities does an OTA have?

OTAs have a variety of duties and responsibilities, including helping patients with activities of daily living, providing therapeutic interventions, educating patients and families about the use of assistive technology and adaptive equipment, and performing administrative tasks related to patient care.

How much does an OTA typically earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for Occupational Therapy Assistants was $60,220 in May 2019.

What is the job outlook for OTAs?

The BLS estimates that employment of Occupational Therapy Assistants will grow 29% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.