Occupational Therapy Assistants Go Back to List Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Accounting software

Tasks
	Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
	Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
	Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
	Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
	Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
	Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled clients.
	Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
	Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
	Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
	Alter treatment programs to obtain better results if treatment is not having the intended effect.

Skills
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.

Knowledge
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
	Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
	Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.   Related Experience:   Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $69,105.00 $33.22  $26.92  $30.96 - $37.01  Bridgeport/Stamford $65,466.00 $31.47  $22.95  $24.00 - $37.14  Hartford $70,827.00 $34.06  $29.42  $32.27 - $36.80  New Haven $70,476.00 $33.88  $28.40  $31.32 - $38.11  New London/Norwich $69,095.00 $33.22  $28.07  $30.33 - $36.61  Waterbury $73,692.00 $35.43  $29.37  $32.35 - $41.18  Torrington $67,239.00 $32.33  $25.96  $28.78 - $35.95

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   131   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.