Jobs For Occupational Therapy Assistants And Aides

Written by Brad Jones Jun 07, 2009

As other healthcare careers, jobs for occupational therapy assistants and aides are expected to rise significantly in the near future with the increasing demand for rehabilitation services and long term care. These jobs available in various healthcare firms in the United States provide occupational therapy professionals with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, gain valuable experience and improve their lifestyle.

Eligibility Requirements

To become an occupational therapy assistant, candidates must have an associate degree or a certificate from a recognized institution (school/college) along with a pass certificate in the national certification exam. In addition to a high school diploma, OT aides must have strong interpersonal skills and a desire to help people. Normally, they receive instructions on the job.

Duties of Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

With the essential educational requirements, candidates can look for part time, full time, long term, short term, temporary, permanent or traveling jobs in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, institutions, nursing clinics and residential care facilities. OT assistants and aides provide rehabilitation services to individuals with developmental, physical, emotional and mental impairments and help them regain their abilities under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists. OT assistants help the patients with rehabilitation programs and exercises specified by occupational therapists. Occupational therapy aides are responsible for assembling the equipment used during treatment. They do all clerical tasks, which involves filling out insurance forms, restocking or ordering depleted supplies, answering the telephone, scheduling appointments and other paperwork. As they are not licensed, they are restricted from doing as many different duties as OT assistants.

Comprehensive Benefit Package

Common benefits for assistant therapists and aides include:

• Professional liability insurance
• Continuing education
• High lucrative salary plus bonus
• Section 125 Cafeteria plan
• Paid housing
• Health and life insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Short-term disability insurance

Now, a number of recruiting agencies help both locally trained and internationally trained candidates to find preferred jobs in the therapy sector. These agencies assist the foreign candidates in obtaining the necessary immigration clearance, licensing and work visa. Candidates, who are looking to broaden their skills and experience, can grab these jobs by registering their names with these firms online.

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