Are you interested in becoming an occupational therapy assistant (OTA)? Did you know that the demand for OTAs is expected to grow 23% by 2032

Occupational therapist (OTs) and OTAs work in the occupational therapy field. Both work directly with people to help provide a better quality of life. However, these two job roles have some key differences, including their educational requirements.

About the Occupational Therapy Field

Occupational therapy is a sub-field of the greater medical field, and it involves teaching and helping patients with everyday tasks. Although it shares some similarities with physical therapy, it focuses on giving patients the tools and knowledge they need to live independently. Alternatively, physical therapy focuses on improving the body’s physical functions.

Most patients who benefit from occupational therapy have injuries, acute health conditions, or chronic health conditions. Usually, a occupational therapy team will work together to teach a patient how to attend work, school, or recreational activities with assistive devices, or help a patient take care of themselves in the home. An example of occupational therapy in action may involve a patient recovering from a stroke working with an occupational therapy team to learn how to shower and cook safely at home.

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational therapists usually create and execute treatment plans for patients and supervise OTAs who help them provide care. OTs may also test and evaluate their patients or sign off on patient progress reports created by other occupational therapy team members.

What Does an Occupational Therapy Assistant Do?

Occupational therapy assistants’ function under a supervising OT and work directly with patients during therapy-related activities. OTAs may also perform clerical tasks, such as documenting the progress of patients and processing patient intake forms.

Intaking Patients

As part of an occupational therapy team, OTAs meet with new patients and help them fill out paperwork that is use to develop a treatment plan. OTAs may also be responsible for collecting a patient’s medical history and inquiring about their current abilities and disabilities.

Preparing Treatment Rooms

Most occupational therapy assistants are responsible for maintaining treatment rooms. They may alter the rooms to accommodate each patient’s needs and clean them and their equipment between patients’ uses.

Assisting and Educating Patients

The most involved part of an OTA’s job is treating patients, which is done with hands-on activities in a treatment or education room. The activities carried out vary by patient and are determined by a supervising OT. Still, they can involve anything from teaching patients how to properly use a cane to helping them plan a daily routine. Depending on the patient’s needs, OTAs may work alone during treatment or alongside other team members, such as another OTA or a supervising OT.

Documenting and Interpreting Data

Since occupational therapy assistants work under a managing occupational therapist, they must document and report patient data to their OTs. Knowing basic medical terminology is essential, and reports may be recorded on paper or electronically. OTAs perform tests and exams on patients, too, and they can interpret the test results to help the OT develop a treatment plan.

Where Do OTs and OTAs Work?

Occupational therapy may be carried out in many medical facilities, though an independent office is the most popular place for OTs and OTAs. Other locations include nursing care facilities, hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, and pediatric clinics.

Some OTs and OTAs also work directly in patients’ homes through home health care programs. This location presents different challenges for occupational therapy teams since every patient’s home is different, and all equipment used must be transported. However, this also allows OTs and OTAs to work with patients effectively since patients may be taught how to adapt to their home environment instead of a simulated environment in a facility treatment room.

What are Some Occupational Therapy Specialties?

OTAs may work toward a specialty after completing an education and a few years of experience in the field. These specialties include:

Geriatric Occupational Therapy

Special knowledge of geriatrics is useful for occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy (OTA) team members who work in a nursing care facility or assisted living facility. When working with older adults, occupational therapy team members may help patients avoid falls in their homes, apartments, or rooms. Sometimes, OTs and OTAs will work with older patients who have cognitive health issues, like dementia, to make sure they are as safe and comfortable as possible in a nursing care setting.

Pediatric Occupational Therapy

OTs and OTAs working with children and focus on helping them achieve developmental milestones, whether physical, social, or cognitive. Sometimes, occupational therapy teams will work in schools to help youth learn social skills through play or develop motor skills with physical activities. Working in pediatrics also requires OTAs to work with children and their families to ensure the therapy is beneficial.

Mental Health and Work Occupational Therapy

Some occupational therapy professionals specialize in mental health disorders, such as depression. With this specialty, occupational therapists and their assistants work with patients to help them enter the workforce. This may involve working directly with patients and employers to create an accessible work environment for the patients.

What are the Differences Between OTs and OTAs?

There are key differences between OTs and OTAs. Some of the differences include:

Job Responsibilities

while both OTs and OTAs work together at the same facilities, OTs carry more responsibility. Occupational therapists create treatment plans for patients and communicate with other members of a patient’s care team, such as doctors, social workers, and other therapists.

On the other hand, OTAs have less responsibility since they have a smaller scope of practice. However, they still need to implement treatment plans, evaluate patients, and perform clerical work.

Edudational Timelines

Occupational therapists need to complete much more schoolwork than occupational therapy assistants. While OTAs need to complete an accredited program that typically takes one to two years, an OT needs to obtain a bachelor’s degree plus a master’s or doctorate, which can take five or more years.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the difference between an OT and OTA, it is time to learn more about CBD College. Delve into the role occupational therapy assistants plays in the healthcare industry and prepare to heal through movement.

OT & OTA School Program

You’re already making a difference through the work you love. Now, take it to the next level with the Master of Occupational Therapy program or Occupational Therapist Assistant program from CBD College. They are flexible, affordable, and uniquely tailored to build on the skills and experience you’ve acquired professionally.

Contact us now to learn more.