Day in the Life of an Occupational Therapy Assistant: A Deeper Look

Are you interested in becoming an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) and want to know more about what they do every day? A day in the life of an occupational therapy assistant can be very rewarding and involve helping patients regain independence and improve their ability to perform daily activities. Here’s a detailed look at a typical workday for an OTA:

Morning: Preparation and Initial Sessions

The morning is busy for occupational therapy assistants. They are a lot of preparation to make the day go smoothly.

Arrival and Setup

The OTA arrives at their medical facility and reviews the day’s schedule. They prepare therapy equipment and materials, such as adaptive tools, games, or exercises tailored to individual treatment plans. The OTA collaborates with the supervising Occupational Therapist (OT) to discuss goals and adjustments for specific patients.

First Patient Session

The OTA greets the patient and establishes rapport to create a comfortable environment. They conduct exercises or activities as outlined in the treatment plan. For example, the OTA may assist a stroke survivor with hand-strengthening tasks using therapy putty or small objects. They may also work with a child with developmental delays on fine motor skills through play-based activities. Regardless of who they are working with, it is important for them to offer encouragement and feedback to help patients stay motivated.

Documentation

The OTA documents the patient’s progress, noting improvements or difficulties in meeting therapy goals. They also share updates with the OT and suggest possible modifications to the plan if needed.

Midday: Continued Sessions and Team Collaboration

Second Patient Session

For your second patient, you may assist an elderly patient recovering from surgery with activities to improve balance and mobility, like practicing transferring from a bed to a chair. You can also teach patients how to use adaptive equipment (e.g., reachers, dressing aids) to make daily tasks easier.

Team Meeting or Break

During the midday of your shift, you may participate in a quick meeting with the occupational therapist and other team members to review case progress or attend a training session to learn about new techniques or equipment. Plus, you will take a short lunch break.

Third Patient Session

The next patient you may work to improve cognitive challenges, such as someone recovering from a traumatic brain injury. This could involve memory exercises, problem-solving games, or sequencing tasks to help them manage daily routines.

Afternoon: Specialized Interventions and Wrap-Up

Group Therapy or School Sessions

During the afternoon, you may lead a group session, such as working with children on social skills through cooperative play. In a school setting, you may assist a student with learning disabilities by teaching strategies to write more effectively or organize their backpack.

Home or Workplace Adaptations

During the afternoon, you may visit a patient’s home or workplace to assess the environment and recommend modifications, like installing grab bars in the bathroom or rearranging a workstation for ergonomic efficiency.

Final Patient Session

For the final patient of the day, you may help them with mental health challenges practice mindfulness techniques or engage in a calming activity like art therapy to improve emotional well-being.

End of Day: Administrative Tasks

Documentation and Cleanup

At the end of the day, it is important to finish documenting progress notes for all sessions to ensure compliance with billing and legal standards. You will also want to clean and organize therapy tools and spaces, following infection control protocols.

Plan for Tomorrow

Also, at the end of the day, it is a good idea to prepare materials or exercises for the next day’s sessions. You may discuss any pressing concerns or changes with the OT or other healthcare team members.

Where Do Occupational Therapy Assistants Work?

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) work in a variety of environments where they help patients improve their ability to perform daily activities. Each setting serves a different set of patients with specific therapy needs. These environments include:

Hospitals

Acute Care Units: OTAs assist patients recovering from surgeries, injuries, or illnesses like strokes or heart attacks. For example, you may help a stroke survivor regain fine motor skills for tasks like eating or writing.

Rehabilitation Units: OTAs may focus on long-term recovery for individuals with traumatic injuries or neurological conditions. This may include teaching a spinal cord injury patient adaptive techniques for dressing.

Outpatient Clinics

In an outpatient clinic, you may work with patients who do not require hospitalization but need ongoing therapy. In this environment, you can specialize in specific areas, such as pediatrics, hand therapy, or sports injuries.
Schools

As an OTA in a school setting, you will work with children who have developmental delays, learning disabilities, or physical impairments. For example, you may help a child with autism develop social skills or teach a student with cerebral palsy how to use adaptive tools for writing. You may also collaborate with teachers and parents to implement strategies that support learning and independence.

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and Long-Term Care

At a skilled nursing facility, you will provide therapy to older adults or individuals with chronic conditions. You may teach an elderly patient recovering from hip replacement surgery how to safely transfer in and out of bed. You will also focus on improving quality of life and maintaining independence.

Home Health

OTAs that work in home health visit patients in their homes to provide therapy in a familiar environment. For example, you may help a senior adapt their kitchen setup to make cooking safer and more accessible. OTAs in this setting often work with elderly patients or those with mobility challenges.

Assisted Living or Independent Living Facilities

As an OTA in an assisted living facility, you may support residents who need help maintaining their independence. This can involve teaching residents exercises to improve balance and prevent falls.

Community-Based Settings

Daycare or Rehabilitation Centers: OTAs work with individuals with mental health challenges or developmental disabilities. You may lead group activities to improve social interaction and cognitive skills.

Nonprofit Organizations: OTAs assist underserved populations, such as veterans or people experiencing homelessness, in regaining life skills.

Specialty Clinics

Hand Therapy Clinics: OTAs focus on hand injuries and conditions, such as arthritis or tendon repair. They may guide a patient through exercises to regain hand strength after surgery.

Sensory Integration Centers: OTAs work with children who have sensory processing disorders. For example, they may use therapy swings or tactile activities to improve sensory regulation.

Mental Health Facilities

As an OTA in a mental health facility, you may provide therapy to patients with emotional or psychological challenges, focusing on coping strategies and life skills. Part of your day may include helping someone with anxiety establish a structured daily routine or practicing mindfulness techniques.

Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals or Clinics

Working with veterans can be rewarding. As an OTA at a Veteran Affairs hospital, you can help veterans with physical or mental health challenges adjust to civilian life. This may include assisting a veteran with PTSD in developing stress management strategies.

Early Intervention Programs

In this environment, you may provide therapy to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, often in home-based settings. For example, you may teach a parent techniques to encourage a child’s motor skill development.

Final Thoughts

As an occupational therapist assistant, you will have many rewarding moments. You will see patients make progress, such as walking independently or successfully using adaptive tools. You will build meaningful relationships with patients and their families. And contribute to a patient’s overall independence and quality of life. If you want to help others improve their abilities to live happy and meaningful lives, becoming an occupational therapist assistant may be the right career path for you.

OTA School Program

You’re already making a difference through the work you love. Now, take it to the next level with the Occupational Therapist Assistant program from CBD College. It is flexible, affordable, and uniquely tailored to build on the skills and experience you’ve acquired professionally.
Contact us now to learn more.