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To
be a successful Occupational Therapy Assistant you should:
- Be caring and want to help people who are not able to
help themselves.
- Be able to motivate patients.
- Possess the ability to use numbers, see details, and
see how three-dimensional objects fit together
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| What
type of education and/or training do I need? Occupational
therapy assistants must complete an associate degree or
certificate program from an accredited community college
or technical school. |
| Do
I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is required in the State of Connecticut. Prerequisites:
An Asociate's degree. Licensing requires 8 weeks of supervised
field work experience; National Board for Certification
in Occupational Therapy Examination. |
| Where
can I get more information? American Occupational
Therapy Association, Inc.
4720 Montgomery Lane
PO Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824
(301) 652-2682
www.aota.org
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| What
is the salary for this career? $31,200-$45,760
(Source: 2003 Connecticut Hospital Association
Compensation Survey) |
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| What
will my job be like? Occupational therapy assistants
and aides work under the direction of occupational therapists
to provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental,
physical, emotional, or developmental impairments. The ultimate
goal is to improve clients' quality of life by helping them
compensate for limitations. For example, occupational therapy
assistants help injured workers re-enter the labor force
by helping them improve their motor skills. They help persons
with learning disabilities increase their independence by
teaching them to prepare meals or use public transportation. |
| Where
could I work? Most occupational therapy assistants
work in occupational therapist offices or hospitals.
Other workplace settings:
- Adult Daycare
- Home Health Agencies
- Inpatient and Outpatient Mental Health Facilities
- Nursing Homes
- Outpatient Rehabilitation Centers
- Physician Offices
- Social Services Agencies
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| What
is the future of this career? Employment of
occupational therapy assistants and aides is expected to
grow faster than the average through 2008. |
Where
can I get the education and/or training?
- Briarwood College, Southington
- Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport
- Manchester Community College, Manchester
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