A career as an occupational therapy assistant is a fulfilling one, since you have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference and develop relationships with patients. As an OTA, you help people of all ages live a healthier, more independent life.
There are many benefits to becoming an occupational therapy assistant. This post highlights some of the main reasons why OTA can be a great career. Curious to learn more about what OTA school is all about? Learn more about the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) degree program at ACC.
Why Is Occupational Therapy Important?
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy (OT) involves using everyday life activities — such as dressing oneself, eating, driving, and communicating — to promote health, well-being, and your ability to participate in the important activities in your life.
OT determines areas where an individual requires assistance and helps the person perform an activity or adapt to the environment or task. OTAs are crucial in helping people regain their ability and independence to enjoy life to its fullest.
Why Should You Want to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Is OTA a good career? Although what makes a good career is subjective, becoming an OTA offers a combination of benefits such as:
1. Enhancing Quality of Life
OTAs help people of all ages gain or regain an ability to perform tasks in everyday life such as eating, communicating, driving, getting dressed, and more. As an OTA, you’ll play an important role in helping patients navigate challenging times with compassion and care.
Ultimately, you’re helping patients build a more fulfilling life. It's important work that you can feel good about.
2. Working With a Wide Range of People
OTAs are not restricted to working with one specific age group. The field of occupational therapy is full of possibilities for you to work with children, adults, and seniors. Learn more about how OTAs work with children.
3. Connecting With Patients
OTAs develop a special patient-provider relationship that strengthens over time. They get to watch individuals perform something that they struggled with before and continue assisting them in enhancing their daily lives.
4. Working With a Team
As an OTA, you get to work directly with your patients to help them accomplish important tasks related to their everyday life. At the same time, you work under the supervision of an occupational therapist who manages planning and paperwork. OTAs are typically tasked with charting a patient's progress and reporting it back to the OT. This dynamic lends itself towards greater collaboration in developing an effective treatment plan.
5. An Outlet for Creative Potential
Although an occupational therapist sets a course of treatment, an OTA is the one who implements it by leading the patients through every step. Despite having a variety of helpful tools at their disposal, much of being an OTA comes down to creativity.
Every individual is unique and possesses specific needs. For an OTA, each day presents unique challenges and opportunities, which can be an ideal environment for a creative mind.
6. Innovative Apps and Tools at Your Disposal
Technological innovations and advancements help people with differing abilities perform various functions to live a full and happy life. There are a variety of tools that OTAs can leverage to enhance their work and recommend to patients. Some of the technologies that have transformed occupational therapy include:
- Therapy and Rehabilitation Apps – Mobile apps designed to improve fine motor skills, hand strength, and cognitive function through interactive exercises.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices– Digital tools that assist individuals with speech impairments in communicating more effectively.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Therapy – Immersive technology that helps patients regain motor function and improve coordination through engaging exercises.
- Adaptive Smart Home Technology – Voice-activated assistants and other assistive devices that promote independence in daily activities.
7. Streamlined Entry into the Healthcare Field
Becoming an OTA does not require a bachelor’s or master’s degree. You’ll need an associate degree from an ACOTE-accredited program. ACC’s OTA program can be completed in as little as 20 months and includes 700 hours of fieldwork to gain real-world experience. Compared to other professions in the healthcare industry, this career path can help streamline your entry into the healthcare field.
8. Flexibility
OTA work environments include nursing homes, in-home care, special needs adult living centers, speech pathology centers, schools, children’s hospitals, and many more. Given the many employment options available, OTAs have the opportunity to find a position that aligns with their needs and preferences.
Since the job revolves around patient needs and timelines, OTA jobs do not always follow a strict 9-5 Monday to Friday schedule.
Choose Occupational Therapy Assisting at ACC!
To help you get started working towards this rewarding career, American Career College offers an ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program that can be completed in as little as 20 months — blending online learning, classroom instruction, and hands-on fieldwork.
To learn more and start working towards your future in healthcare, contact us today!
