How To Become An Occupational Therapy Assistant And What Are Their Job Responsibilities?

The healthcare industry is rapidly growing, equipping students with various opportunities to enhance their career growth. One such career opportunity is to work as an occupational therapy assistant. These professionals work with patients experiencing physical or mental issues and help them improve their overall health.

If you have a zeal for helping others and caring for their physical and emotional needs, an occupational therapy assistant degree program in Fredericksburg can appeal to you.

What is an occupational therapy assistant (OTA)?

An OTA can work with various occupational therapists, treating patients suffering from various medical illnesses. The patients they work with are usually in rehabilitation and need an occupational therapist's help to recover. Some of the key responsibilities OTAs can perform are –

• Facilitate the maintenance of complete patient records.
• Support patients during treatment.
• Creating and implementing the treatment plans.
• Work with children to overcome challenges of developmental disabilities.
• Motivate patients to complete physically and mentally challenging tasks.

How can one qualify for an occupational therapy assistant training program?

Enrolling in an occupational therapy assistant degree program in Fredericksburg usually involves a four-step process such as;

Completing an accredited training program –

Enrolling in an accredited training program is the first step to becoming an OTA. After completing this training program, one can qualify for the licensing exam. This 12-month vocational program should be accredited by The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Getting hands-on experience –

As part of your training program, you need to acquire clinical experience to work with the patient under the supervision and guidance of an occupational therapist. The state you live in and the school you attend will help actuate how much experience you require, but it typically can range from two months to one year.

Passing a certification exam –

The next step to becoming an occupational therapy assistant is to appear in the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam. This certification can help you qualify to work in Fredericksburg, VA. You must enroll to take the test online, pay a fee, and submit your transcripts proving graduating from a recognized program.

Applying for your state license –

In addition to the above steps, you need to become licensed in the state where you plan to work. Not all states have the same licensing requirements, so check with your accredited licensing state board for its OTA’s license requirements.

Benefits to Pursue an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career –

Enrolling in this degree program could be a good choice if you have the essential traits to become a successful occupational therapist and are looking for an economically sound career path.

Make a difference in people’s lives –

Enrolling in this training program can help you make a difference in people’s lives. As an occupational therapy assistant, you can help them to live better, learn new skills, enhance mobility, and adapt to or overcome disabilities issues, among various other things.

An exceptionally high-demand career opportunity –

When searching for a suitable career option, there is one thing everyone needs to know: i.e., what the job market looks like.

But here is some good news! The future is bright for everyone enrolling in an occupational therapy assistant training program.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it is estimated that job opportunities for occupational therapy assistant professionals will increase by a whopping 33 percent between 2018 and 2028. In addition, the BLS reports that the average wage for OTAs will be $60,220 per year but may vary widely according to location in the country.

Job satisfaction –

According to the survey study on job satisfaction by BLS on OTAs, it is reported that nearly 94 percent of school-based occupational therapists and 67 percent of non-school therapists are known to have an overall good job satisfaction rating. This job satisfaction rating was primarily based on client interactions and may include interpersonal relationships with co-workers and benefits associated with the training program.

Work closely with occupational therapists and other disciplines –

As an OTA, you work closely with occupational therapists, thus benefiting you from learning more from them. Furthermore, depending on the client’s requirements and situation, you can also work with various other medical disciplines.

So, mentioned above is some vital information about occupational therapy assistants. If you are searching for a renowned training institute in Fredericksburg to enroll in an occupational therapy assistant degree program, look no further than Eastern Virginia Career College. Call (540) 373-2200 for more information and start the enrollment process.