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How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

Become an occupational therapy assistant

There are many careers to choose from, so why should you train to become an occupational therapy assistant (OTA)? A better question would be ‘why not?’.

occupational therapy logoOccupational therapy practitioners help people participate in meaningful activities and enjoy life to its fullest. As an occupational therapy assistant, you will make a difference in the lives of people of all ages. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.

The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics recently published that the job outlook for occupational therapy assistants will continue to improve steadily. It is expected that OTA jobs will increase by 27% or more by 2029.

But where do you start? Here are some practical tips to help with your research.

1. Observe or shadow an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. You can also schedule a phone or virtual interview with several of them at different settings. There are several occupational therapy groups in social media that are open to the public and willing to help prospect students with their questions and observation sessions.

2. Decide between an associate or a bachelor degree in OTA – To become an occupational therapy assistant, you can either pursue an associate or bachelor degree. The bachelor degree will better prepare students to demonstrate in-depth knowledge in specific practice areas. It will also help complete the requirements to become an occupational therapist at the graduate level.

3. Apply and complete the OTA program. You will complete didactic and clinical courses. In addition, you will need to complete fieldwork rotations at different institutions on your last semester in the program.

4. Pass the NBCOT COTA exam. You will need to take and pass a national board exam to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Go to www.nbcot.org for more information.

5. Apply for the state licensure to practice. Each state has licensure requirements to maintain competency for service delivery.

If you are looking for a challenging career and have a desire to learn, achieve, and give your best to society, a career as an occupational therapy assistant is for you!

Get in Touch!

Take the next step by contacting a friendly member of our on-site team on 1-800-741-1844. We would love to answer any questions you have about occupational therapy – and can tell you more about our Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant with a minor in Health Services Administration. In the meantime, why not learn more about what it’s like to study here.