If you’re still in school, or are thinking about a career change than you should consider the exciting world of being an occupational therapy assistant. Occupational therapy assistants work in such exciting venues as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, camps and even private practices. The future looks bright for them especially as the population ages. That makes OT a secure, in demand career which is not prone to the harsh economic realities that other jobs are subject to endure.

If you’re thinking about a career as an occupational therapy assistant, it’s best to know what the educational requirements are. Though only a two-year associate’s degree, an occupational therapy assistant program can be competitive to get into. There are lots of applicants for each opening in a program so it’s important to give yourself the best start possible.

If you’re still in high school then there are certain classes you should be focusing on in order to make yourself a great occupational therapy assistant candidate. These classes include physical education, psychology, sociology, physical science, biology, algebra, English, chemistry, and pretty much anything in a health-related field. Although not required, it always helps your career if you speak another language. At this point in time Spanish is the preferable one of those that could change as more immigrants with other languages enter our workforce.

Once you’re accepted into an accredited occupational therapy assistant school, then the training really begins. Most of what an occupational therapy assistant learns is learned on the job. It’s not uncommon in the first semester to work on actual people (but not always actual patients,) and be supervised by the instructor. Once the instructor feels you are sufficient enough, (usually in the second semester) you get to work under a licensed occupational therapist. Though some people call it an intern position, it’s really more like an old-fashioned apprenticeship, where you learn from the professional; the occupational therapist.

It’s important to know that if you’re planning to be an occupational therapist that you do not go to an occupational therapy assistant school as what they train assistants to do and what they train real occupational therapists for is vastly different. It’s as different as nursing school versus medical school. An occupational therapy assistant school trains assistants. It’s not a great stepping stone for those looking to become a true occupational therapist.

Not only do you need a degree, you also need a license or certification in order to practice occupational therapy assisting. What kind you need is entirely up to your state so be sure you know the requirements in yours.

Even after you achieve your degree and license, school is not over. Occupational therapy assistants must always be kept current on the latest ways to restore independence. Continuing education for occupational therapy assistants are offered through industry associations as well as state-run occupational therapy schools and associations. It’s a lot more fun than it sounds and often includes guest speakers, seminars, not to mention it’s a great way to interact with other people in your field to make new friends and contacts.

So, now that you know what steps are needed to become an occupational therapy assistant, what steps are you going to take to ensure your dream comes true? Read on to learn more about The Importance of Occupational Therapy.

Occupational Therapy Helps Promote Health while Preventing Disease

A healthy person should be capable of providing daily care for their self. An inability to perform some of the basic tasks of daily living, such as bathing, brushing the teeth, and eating, will lead to the development of illness rather quickly. For those individuals who are currently healthy, but unable to accomplish these basic tasks, Occupational Therapy is essential. The World Health Organization (WHO), along with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have begun promoting these preventative activities in order to decrease health costs while maximizing quality of life.

Occupational Therapy as a Method of Cost Reduction

With the recent developments in the global economy and the difficulty to provide healthcare to those who need it, Occupational Therapy is playing a more important role than ever. Individuals who are able to prevent basic diseases through daily occupations are less of a burden on the healthcare system. Since many of those in need of these services suffer from mental handicaps or old age, their ability to provide for themselves has long vanished. Occupational therapy minimizes their reliance on expensive health care procedures and prescription medicines. The cost to provide occupational therapy is known to be significantly less than surgery. Most of the leading occupational therapy schools now incorporate monetization of healthcare savings into the curriculum to teach the social and economic benefit as well as the human benefit.

Occupational Therapy and Quality of Life at the End of Life Cycle

The psychological effects of losing the ability to care for oneself are excruciating. For some, a lifetime of caring for the family ends with an inability to perform the basic functions required on a daily basis. For our elderly, being able to use the toilet, brush ones hair, or feed the self are all small tasks that allow some semblance of independence. Without the ability to perform these tasks, many of our elderly would be total reliant on others for survival. Depression is common amongst individuals who are unable to handle basic, daily functions. A 1997 study in California proved that occupational therapy was more successful in maintaining health and independence than social services alone.

Occupational Therapy and Mental Health

When utilized in a mental health facility, occupational therapists help their patients develop the skills needed for independent and interdependent living. Using goal oriented activities, these patients learn skills such as assertiveness, problem solving skills, independent living skills, interpersonal skills, stress management, and more. These activities may be beneficial to those suffering from mental retardation, psychological trauma (such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), or brain injuries. Without the help of an occupational therapist, many of these individuals would be stuck in a life reliant on others for survival.

Ultimately, it is the role of the occupational therapist to maintain health and independence. The benefits to both the individual and society cannot be understated. Occupational therapists enable a happier, more independent lifestyle for those who would otherwise need others to care for them. Our next page provides more specific details on What Occupational Therapists Do.

Most occupational therapists begin their day by refreshing their memories. They will look over the days scheduled appointments and review the files of these clients, making notes of what to discuss or do with the client when they come in.

There may be paperwork to fill out, possibly for doctor’s offices, or insurance or community programs that employ occupational therapists. After completing the paperwork, it may be a good time to keep in touch with colleagues by replying to emails or sending out a few new ones.

With all of the previous tasks completed, it’s a good idea to decide the course of action for each client that is scheduled for an appointment in the coming day.

A last task, before patients begin coming in, is a quick look at the work areas the clients will be seen in. It is, of course, pleasant to have a clean environment. Neatness is not only important but necessary. The clients that come in may have difficulty navigating a cluttered, disordered room. Putting the area in order also makes for a streamlined work environment helping the appointment go much more smoothly. Less time that is spent looking for needed equipment, the more time that can be spent working with the client.

When clients come in, the occupational therapist will review their case with them. If the client is new, an assessment will follow. Otherwise, a bit of time will be spent going over the history of the client’s treatment. Questions about how the client feels and how the client is progressing will be part of the session. The OT uses this time to analyze the state of the client on that day and adjust the session if necessary.

After the brief interview with the client, the OT begins the session, which varies from client to client, but may include working on balance, flexibility or strength, or teaching the client how to do day to day things like dressing, cooking or using a computer.

After all clients have been seen, the occupational therapist may finish up more paperwork, make some calls, faxes or emails and review their schedule for the next day.

There may also be team meetings to attend, which will vary from place to place or client to client.

Sometimes the day does not go as planned. If a certain client is unavailable for their appointment for any reason or has to cancel, an occupational therapist will have to improvise. Contact another client to see if they can come in earlier, or trying to schedule another appointment to fill the gap. If these options are not possible, the occupational therapist may finish up some paperwork, look over client cases, catch up on phone calls, faxes and emails or any other small tasks of this type.

Click here for more information on Occupational Therapy Schools

Repetition is critical to the process as these skills are often being relearned. Many patients will lose the ability to perform basic functions after an accident, but some were never able to fully develop them. It is similar to the way an infant or young child learns, but this comparison is frowned upon in the community, as it is damaging to the self-image of patients. One of the most important aspects of treatment is restoring the self-esteem of the patient to provide higher quality of life.

What do OTs and OTAs do?

The Occupational Therapist

The primary functions for an Occupational Therapist are supervisory in nature. They are responsible for providing an initial and periodic assessment of a new patient. Based on this assessment a therapy plan is developed. It will provide the metric by which progress is measured. The OT may be responsible for documenting the progress of the patient, but she is always required to evaluate it. Billing responsibilities fall to the OT, as well as reporting to physicians and other healthcare providers. Focusing on a specific type of therapy is encouraged, as the experience enables the practitioner to gain valuable expertise.

The Occupational Therapist Assistant

Without the help of the Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), the OT’s job would be impossible. It is the job of the OTA to assist patients with the activities and exercises dictated by the treatment plan. They work hands on with the client, teaching skills such as moving from a bed into a wheelchair or the best way to stretch to regain mobility. They assess the application of the exercise, ensuring that the patient is correctly performing these activities. Their records are reviewed by the OT, and are instrumental to proper health care and billing.

Where do Occupational Therapists work?

The facilities requiring the service of both OTs and OTAs are vast. They may help in schools, hospitals, chiropractor’s offices, retirement homes, psychiatric institutions, and many other medical settings. Any situation dictating a need to restore normal physical or psychological functioning will also need the assistance of an OT to develop a treatment plan for rehabilitation. The OTA will be needed to implement the plan and help the patient apply the techniques required to successfully complete the program.

In what Practice Areas do Occupational Therapists work?

The practice areas requiring Occupational Therapy range far and wide. An Occupational therapist will help in rehabilitation through physical therapy. They may work in the mental health field, with pediatric doctors and geriatric specialists. The function of Occupational Therapy has become so important that it is even used as a form of prevention for various health maladies. Recent documents published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicate that practice areas utilizing occupational therapy are expected to continue growing. Certain occupational therapy schools specialize in different practice areas, so research the programs ahead of time to insure that you have the opportunity to focus on the practice area that fits your interest.

Studies are still underway, finding new applications for OT frequently. It is only expected that the role of the Occupational Therapist will become increasingly important as researchers continue to expand our understanding of its therapeutic benefits.

Read on to better understand the origins of the field and The History of Occupational Therapy.

Usually when you say the word ‘occupational therapist’ to most people they think of either a physical therapist or someone who helped someone get a job. While both are sort of true both are sort of inaccurate as well. That’s because ‘occupation’ is not always about finding a job. Lots of times things that keep us ‘occupied’ are just the everyday routines of daily life. While preparing for work again can be a part of it, other daily tasks like coping strategies, productive leisure time, fine motor skills, postural development and how we take care of ourselves are a large part of it too.

It’s difficult to define what an occupational therapist is. That’s because their role is actually defined by the setting they are in. Occupational therapists are concerned with making a person able to function in his world. For example, in pediatrics the goal is to fine-tune motor skills and help children reach developmental milestones.

In the case of a hospital or nursing home setting, an occupational therapist helps a patient overcome severe situations like strokes or heart attacks. This is different than a physical purpose was just concerned with making the large groups of muscles stronger. To an occupational therapist if the muscles are strong but the person still cannot tie his own shoes, then this is not successful quite yet. More work has to be done. An occupational therapist works with this patient until this person is able to tie their shoes. In other words, occupational therapist works on the fine motor skill and developmental milestones needed to live everyday instead of focusing on major muscle groups.

Sometimes an occupational therapist helps people with a mental condition rather than a physical one. This can be a little trickier but the goal is still the same; to help a person become a fully functioning human being again so they can participate in their own life. Some of the things that an occupational therapist can teach a patient with a mental condition include handling their symptoms, making healthy choices, or improving their assertiveness or relaxation skills. In some cases they can even teach them how to use their leisure time more productively.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants go through rigorous training and most of it in the field to learn how to do what they do. Someone with physical therapy degree cannot be an occupational therapist unless they also complete occupational therapy training and pass the test. As was said earlier, occupational therapists can be found in many settings including schools, camps, hospitals, institutions, nursing homes, private practice and more. It’s the setting that determines what it is they actually do. But whatever forms an occupational therapist takes, whatever setting they’re in and method they use, you can be assured that an occupational therapists chief job is to make sure that you are able to function well in your own environment. Some occupational therapy schools offer curriculums tailored to certain practice areas, so research the course offerings to guarantee that you can specialize in your preferred area.

To begin with, physical therapists and occupational therapists approach clients in very different ways. Of course, both physical and occupational therapists deal with patients with physical injuries and limitations. The difference shows up in how they treat the issues, as well as in what issues those are.

Physical Therapy is defined as the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods. A physical therapist, in other words, deals with “the big picture”. Clients of physical therapists will find themselves working on their strength, balance, flexibility. In other words, the basics of motion. Occupational therapists go beyond this.

Some things Physical Therapists can help with:

• Learning to walk
• Lifting , pulling, bending
• Manipulating larger objects

On the other hand, occupational therapists, while dealing with these bigger issues, also tend to the finer points of daily life and activities. They can help clients relearn how to tie their shoes, do up buttons, and manipulate small objects. They can facilitate independence by teaching or re-teaching necessary tasks and skills such as writing, cooking, and even housework.

The clients of occupational therapists may need help in those broader areas that physical therapy covers, as well, and occupational therapy can be supplemented by physical therapy. Some clients of one type of therapist are also clients of the other, as the two go hand in hand in many cases.

Unlike physical therapists who, as the title suggests, deal only with physical ailments, occupational therapists can work with clients in many ways. Beyond the physical aspect, occupational therapy covers much more than physical therapy. Occupational therapists can aid clients in developmental and cognitive disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and all types of learning disabilities; sensory disorders, such as information integration and autism; mental health, including depression, anxiety and eating disorders, as well as addiction.

Another big difference between physical therapists and occupational therapists is the help clients get, from an OT, with the world around them and the things that affect them in everyday life, not only limitations brought on by their own physical and mental state. An OT can help a client with:

• Medication management: helping clients keep track of their medications, teaching them about their effects and any interactions.
• Routine and schedules: the OT can help develop an outline for the client to follow, and help them implement and stick to it.
• Education: an OT can suggest training, experiential training, groups and classes tailored to the individual client’s needs.

All in all, physical therapy and occupational therapy overlap in some areas, and, at times, it can be hard to tell which is which. What makes the biggest difference is the aid in life from day to day, combining the physical, mental and environmental aspects of the client’s situation to arrive at a plan that will heal as well as re-enable the client through occupational therapy.

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