College training can lead to an occupational therapy assistant career.
Occupational therapy assistants are individuals who help occupational therapists provide mental, emotional or physical rehabilitative care to patients, according to Education-Portal.com. Employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to increase by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median annual wages of these assistants in May 2008 were $48,230, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Becoming an occupational therapy assistant requires at least two years of training.
Instructions
1. Complete high school courses in chemistry, health science, psychology and biology, according to CollegeBoard.com. Make sure you also study English, reading and math, according to Pennsylvania College of Technology. Classes in these subjects will give you an idea of the kind of courses you will have to take in an occupational therapy assistant training program at the college level. Also, complete volunteer experience at a nursing care facility, occupational therapy office or other health care facility, as many occupational therapy assistant training programs look for this when selecting applicants for admission.
2. Search for occupational therapy assistant training programs, which usually take two years to complete and lead to an associate degree. These programs will require you to submit your high school diploma or GED during the admission process. When looking for a program, make sure it is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
3. Take occupational therapy assistant program courses on subjects including anatomy/physiology, medical terminology and kinesiology, according to Education-Portal.com. Also, study specialty areas of this field including mental health, gerontology, pediatrics and adult physical disabilities. Make sure you learn about technology and professional issues as they relate to the occupational therapy field as well.
4. Complete at least 16 weeks of a supervised clinical experience. These experiences can take place in settings such as outpatient facilities, long-term care facilities, hospitals and nursing care facilities. Practice creating treatment plans for patients and leading them through these programs, such as helping them complete range-of-motion exercises or become accustomed to prosthetic limbs.
5. Take the national certifying examination for occupational therapy assistants. This is offered by the National Board for Certifying Occupational Therapy and is required in most states for licensure in this field. Once certified/licensed, complete continuing education workshops and classes to maintain your credential. Then, look for jobs at rehabilitation centers, community mental health centers, inpatient psychiatric units and even public school and prison systems.
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