Occupational Therapy Assistant

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 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

What is the average annual salary?

$61,000

What is the future of this career?

The BLS reports that overall employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is projected to grow 34 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 8,800 openings for occupational therapy assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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.

Where can I get the education and/or training?

• Goodwin College, East Hartford
• Manchester Community College, Manchester

Do I need a license or certification for this career?

Licensure is required in the state of Connecticut. Prerequisites: An Associate’s degree. Licensing requires 8 weeks of supervised field work experience; National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Examination.

Please visit the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health website for more information.

Where can I get more information?

American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD  20852
800-SAY-AOTA
www.aota.org