Occupational Therapy Aides

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.

What you'd actually do

• Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals.
• Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments.
• Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.
• Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
• Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
• Instruct patients and families in work, social, and living skills, the care and use of adaptive equipment, and other skills to facilitate home and work adjustment to disability.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

The feel of the work

You're around people constantly; time pressure is a real part of the job. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0% of occupational therapy aides are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, hands-on and organized and detail-focused.

Related careers

• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Orderlies
• Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
• Medical Transcriptionists
• Pharmacy Aides

Quick questions

How much does a occupational therapy aide make?

The median pay is $18.83 per hour — roughly $39,000 a year, with the real range running from about $14.15/hr (10th percentile) to $33.75/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a occupational therapy aide?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

What does a occupational therapy aide actually do all day?

Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals. Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments. Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.