Occupational therapy assistants work with occupational therapists to help people with disabilities. To become certified, candidates can complete a two-year associate degree, a one-year certificate, or a diploma from a technical school. They must also have certain personality traits, including patience and compassion. Assistants work alongside therapists and may lead patients through recovery programs.
If you enjoy helping people, you might consider a career as an occupational therapy assistant. These professionals work with occupational therapists to help people with physical and developmental disabilities live full lives. In order to become a certified occupational therapy assistant, candidates must first start with a proper education.
There are two options available to those wishing to become a certified occupational therapy assistant. A two-year associate degree in the field of occupational therapy is the first option. Alternatively, a one-year certificate from an accredited school can be completed. In some countries, a diploma from a technical school is also an option.
Courses that should be focused on during schooling include anatomy, psychology, rehabilitation, and gerontology. In addition to the formal coursework, students are often asked to complete training in the field. This type of training includes working in a community, group home, clinic, or other medical setting. Depending on the country you live in, you may also be required to complete a certification program before practicing.
Upon completion of all education, field training, and certification courses, candidates can look for jobs in the field of therapy. Employment in this field can be found by applying directly to hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, occupational therapists’ offices, and other similar facilities.
In addition to all the schooling required to become a certified occupational therapy assistant, applicants must have certain personality traits. These traits include patience, understanding, compassion, and the ability to nurture troubled or distressed patients. All this is necessary, as the role of an assistant can be very demanding.
Occupational therapy assistants are expected to work alongside occupational therapists. Furthermore, assistants are often called on to lead a patient through an entire program of recovery without the constant supervision of a therapist. Thus, an assistant must be self-sufficient. Other roles include showing patients how to stretch and strengthen their muscles, teaching developmentally disabled patients how to succeed in society, and tracking patients’ improvements.
Clearly, to become a certified occupational therapy assistant, one has to be able to wear many different hats. Although this role seems relatively simple, assistants are often responsible for a large workload full of tedious tasks. In the end, the best way to become a certified occupational therapy assistant is to start with school and then decide whether or not you have the right kinds of personality skills to go along with your new degree.
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