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Career Details : Occupational Therapist Aides

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Description

Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Tasks

  • Assists occupational therapist to plan, implement, and administer educational, vocational, and recreational activities to restore, reinforce, and enhance task performances.
  • Assists in evaluation of physically, developmentally, mentally, or emotionally disabled client's daily living skills and capacities.
  • Instructs or assists in instructing patient and family in home programs and basic living skills as well as care and use of adaptive equipment.
  • Reports information and observations to supervisor verbally.
  • Transports patient to and from occupational therapy work area.
  • Maintains observed information in client records and prepares written reports.
  • Designs and adapts equipment and working/living environment.
  • Prepares work material, assembles and maintains equipment, and orders supplies.
  • Fabricates splints and other assistant devices.
  • Assists educational specialist or clinical psychologist in administering situational or diagnostic tests to measure client's abilities or progress.
  • Helps professional staff demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual and creative arts, and games.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Consequence of Error
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Objective or Subjective Information
    • Indoors

    Related Majors

    Major Add to MyFSA
    Home Health Advance Practiceadd Home Health Advance Practice to MyFSA
    Occupational Therapy Assistantadd Occupational Therapy Assistant to MyFSA
    Occupational Therapy Assistingadd Occupational Therapy Assisting to MyFSA
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