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Occupational Therapy Assistants - 31-2011.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant)
  • Certified Occupational Assistant
  • Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)
  • Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
  • Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant (LOTA)
  • Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA)
  • Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
  • Registered Therapist Assistant
  • School Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (School Based COTA)

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
  • Alter treatment programs to obtain better results if treatment is not having the intended effect.
  • Assemble, clean, or maintain equipment or materials for patient use.
  • Assist educational specialists or clinical psychologists in administering situational or diagnostic tests to measure client's abilities or progress.
  • Attend care plan meetings to review patient progress and update care plans.
  • Attend continuing education classes.
  • Communicate and collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved with the care of a patient.
  • Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual or creative arts or games.
  • Design, fabricate, or repair assistive devices or make adaptive changes to equipment or environments.
  • Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled clients.
  • Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
  • Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
  • Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
  • Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
  • Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
  • Order any needed educational or treatment supplies.
  • Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments, collecting data, or documenting health insurance billings.
  • Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
  • Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
  • Teach patients how to deal constructively with their emotions.
  • Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
  • Work under the direction of occupational therapists to plan, implement, or administer educational, vocational, or recreational programs that restore or enhance performance in individuals with functional impairments.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Administer screening tests to determine abilities or treatment needs.
  • Assist patients with daily activities.
  • Attend educational events to update medical knowledge.
  • Clean medical equipment.
  • Communicate patient status to other health practitioners.
  • Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
  • Develop patient therapy programs.
  • Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
  • Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.
  • Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
  • Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
  • Maintain medical records.
  • Make patient-assistive devices or device models.
  • Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
  • Move patients to or from treatment areas.
  • Perform clerical work in medical settings.
  • Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
  • Prepare medical reports or documents.
  • Process medical billing information.
  • Record vital statistics or other health information.
  • Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
  • Teach basic living or other adaptive skills to patients or caregivers.
  • Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
  • Teach medical procedures to healthcare personnel.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Dental Assistant (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Hospital Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Medical Administration Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Medical Specialist Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Occupational Therapist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Occupational Therapist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Occupational Therapy (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Occupational Therapy (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Occupational Therapy Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Occupational Therapy Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Occupational Therapy Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Occupational Therapy Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Occupational Therapy Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Occupational Therapy Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Apprentice, Orthotic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Craftsman, Orthotic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Helper, Orthotic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Journeyman, Orthotic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Manager (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Therapy (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Physical Therapy Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Physical Therapy Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Specialist Allied Operations (Army - Commissioned Officer only)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Occupational Therapy Assistant