Overview

Occupational therapy assistants help clients with rehabilitative activities and exercises outlined in a treatment plan developed in collaboration with an occupational therapist. Activities range from teaching the proper method of moving from a bed into a wheelchair, to  teaching energy conservation and joint protection techniques. Occupational therapy assistants monitor an individual's activities to make sure they are performed correctly and to provide encouragement. They also record their client's progress for use by the occupational therapist. If the treatment is not having the intended effect, or the client is not improving as expected, the occupational therapist may alter the treatment program in hopes of obtaining better results. In addition, occupational therapy assistants document billing of the client's health insurance provider.

To learn more about this career, watch the video profile of "Occupational Therapy Assistants."

You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:

Occupational Therapy Assistant 14 May 2008 [pdf, 153 KB]

To meet an occupational therapy assistant, see the NIH "Lifeworks" Website.

Working Conditions

The hours and days that occupational therapy assistants work vary, depending on the facility and whether they are full or part-time employees. Many outpatient therapy offices and health care facilities have evening and weekend hours, to help coincide with patients' personal schedules.