Statistics show that the mean age of the U.S. population is getting older. This is the reason why demand for occupational therapist assistants is expected to increase throughout the next decade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), growth for occupational therapy assistant jobs is estimated at 25% from 2006 to 2016.
Responsibility
Occupational therapy assistants work with occupational therapists to help patients rehabilitate from physical limitations brought about by injuries or disabilities.
Educational Requirement
Occupational therapy assistants require licensing from the state. Each state has different licensing regulations, so students should consult their local regulatory agency to know state-specific licensing rules.
Despite varying licensing guidelines, occupational therapy assistants’ education and training programs still follow similar curricula nationwide. Most students pursue education to become a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
To be eligible for national certification, a student must complete either:
- an accredited one-year occupational therapy assistant certification program
- or an accredited two-year associate degree program in occupational therapy
These programs include subjects like anatomy, gerontology, medical terminology, physiology and other introductory healthcare courses.
Aside from academic requirements, students must also complete supervised clinical work. Upon completion of the requirements, a student will be able to take the COTA certification exam through the NBCOT.
Salary
According to the BLS, the median base annual salary of certified occupational therapy assistants ranges from $39,700 to $48,000. The difference in range is usually based on location and experience of the worker. The upper ten percent of OT assistants can earn up to $51,000 per year.
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