Are you planning to become a healthcare professional but wish to complete something other than a 4-5 years-long degree course? If so, an Occupational therapy assistant (OTA) could be a great career pick. This blog explains why you should choose this career and where you can work as an OTA.
After reading this blog, you might be interested in entering this profession! But before you take your steps into this field, it’s best to learn the necessary skills through enrollment in a renowned occupational therapy assistant school.
Reasons to choose OTA as a career
Support patients in enhancing their quality of living
OTAs participate in various therapeutic processes with the clients; hence, the activities assigned vary, and no two days are similar. Some of their tasks include improving a person’s condition by carrying out the following tasks-
- procedures for the patient’s rehabilitation,
- conducting sessions for children with developmental disabilities,
- evaluating the condition of elderly homes
- identifying the changes needed to make the house safe for the aged people.
OTAs also employ their imagination to arrange therapy sessions that address each patient’s needs and skills for efficient and individualized therapy.
It’s a demanding profession.
OTAs are now needed more than ever because the healthcare services sector is constantly diversifying and developing. OTAs are involved in team care for improved patient care, and these are avenues that require interaction with other professionals. They assist clients in six major areas-
- children and youth,
- productive aging for the elderly,
- psychological and emotional health,
- large groups and disability,
- general health, and
- occupation and business.
It’s a people-focused profession.
Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) are reliable individuals who work to enhance clients’ quality of life. They act as good caregivers who help learners acquire basic living skills such as grooming and feeding. OTAs also address clients with specific situations where behavioral changes and practical applications can be utilized to control everyday life.
Further, they also provide information to the client’s relatives or any other persons involved in the client’s condition. They do this with the aim of encouraging a supportive environment that will complement the client’s objectives and vision. Doing so can help embrace a comprehensive support system for clients.
Good salary package
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) profession is well paid and provides satisfactory pay to its holders. This profession’s worth can be evidenced by the tremendous outcome of the contribution of specialists in the following:
- reducing hospital readmissions,
- the improvement of children’s achievements at school, and
- the daily quality of life among senior adults.
The OTAs can earn a high salary if they learn the necessary skills by enrolling in an occupational therapy assistant school and gaining some experience in this field.
Diverse Workplace Environments
OTAs have the freedom to work in many different environments. It makes it possible for the OTA to choose a career that they have a personal interest in. They can work in occupational therapists’ offices, schools, and hospitals, as well as directly with clients’ homes.
Also, other categories such as assistive and long-term care facilities also present special settings. In these settings, OTAs can impact patient’s lives considerably. Such flexibility enables OTAs to work in the environment which they find interesting and resourceful.
Where can occupational therapy assistants work?
OTAs have enormous opportunities and independence to work in different areas of their profession.
Hospitals and Rehabilitation Facilities
At hospitals and rehab facilities, OTAs assist patients in regaining their motor functions and learning to cope with new body status, which is a part of physical therapy.
Occupational Therapy Clinics
The therapeutic service providers can have sub-specialties, including occupational therapy for
- pediatric,
- geriatric,
- physical rehabilitation, and
- environmental changed clientele.
This specialization relates to their preferences and enables them to manage certain aspects of patient care.
Medical Rehabilitation Clinics
In such clinics, OTAs help patients regain some of the body parts’ functionality that they lost due to incidents. They assist patients in finding new ways of using parts of the body and inventing tools for performing different activities.
Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers
OTAs assist rehab centers in recovery from diseases of addiction. They assist people who have lost their motor skills because of the use of drugs and alcohol. In addition, they assist a chronic pain patient to learn how to address pain with the use of motion along with other tools.
Assisted Living or Halfway Homes
Actually, in the residential context, OTAs help residents to adopt daily living skills, for instance,
- cooking,
- managing their money and
- dressing.
Home Health Care
OTAs in home health care assess the physical, social, and psychological needs of patients and their homes. In addition, they instruct them on how to manipulate bodily and environmental aids and appliances to achieve mobility and independence.
Schools
School OTAs support children with learning disabilities and developmental coordination disorders by facilitating their integration into school and proper usage of tools in the process of learning to obtain quality education.
This diverse environment allows OTAs to discover an area that they are best suited for and enthusiastic about, which makes the career highly satisfactory. What are you waiting for? Enroll in occupational therapy assistant school today and start learning the required skills!
Get occupational therapy assistant training!
If you want to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), feel free to do so. As noted, we have already covered the advantages and various environmental settings where an OTA can work.
Before you start seeking a new job, it is important to remember that you should enroll in a school that offers various medical training courses, such as a medical assistant training program, a nursing associate of applied science, or an occupational therapy assistant. Complete the OTA training program and learn all the needed skills. This preparation will enable you to respond to the needs of patients. As a result, they can quickly return to their independence and lead happy lives again.
Accept this fulfilling career and transform people’s lives for the better.
