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	Occupational Therapy Assistant
	Job description
	The occupational therapy assistant (OTA) works under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist to assist with patient treatment programs. The OTA helps patients to regain daily living skills.
	Activities may include
	●	guide and aid individuals in therapy programs
	●	observe report progress and patient reaction
	●	prepare materials needed for therapy activities
	●	make minor repairs to therapeutic equipment
	●	instruct self-care skills such as dressing, undressing and moving about, home making, & therapeutic craft skills
	●	teach exercises to patients and their families
	●	prepare work area and equipment for patient activities
	●	teach patients how to use and care for orthotic, prosthetic devices and other assistive apparatus
	Salaries and benefits*
	Wages vary depending on the type of employer, specialty and geographical area. Entry-level Assistants usually earn $1,127 to $1,700 per month ($6.50 to $9.81 per hour). An Assistant with five years of experience can earn $1,700 to $3,000 per month or more. A Therapy Aide with two years of experience in a therapy program or completion of an approved training program earns $1,966 to $2,477 per month working for the State of Washington. An Occupational Therapy Assistant I working at a state institute of higher education earns $1,922 to $2,421 per month. This position requires graduation from an accredited program, certification by the American Occupational Therapy Association and licensing by the State of Washington. Statewide, Physical and Corrective Therapy Assistants and Aides average $1,566 to $2,530 per month, while Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides average $2,165 to $3,039 per month. Working for health care facilities in the Pacific Northwest, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants average $2,545 to $2,820 per month, while Physical Therapy Assistants average $2,539 to $2,824 per month. Occupational therapy assistants working for a hospital or medical facility receive a full benefit package.
	Training and requirements
	Occupational Therapy Assistants must be certified through the American Occupational Therapy Association. In Washington, OTA courses are available at Green River Community College. Occupational Therapy Assistants also must be licensed in Washington.
	Necessary skills
	●	ability to motivate patients
	●	above average oral and written communication skills
	●	ability to learn new techniques and use new equipment
	●	ability to work with a variety of people
	●	ability to take instruction
	●	knowledge of personal development and change due to disability or illness
	●	above average ability to work with hands
	●	excellent eye/hand coordination
	●	ability to use numbers, see details, and see how 3-dimensional objects fit together
	●	ability to stand and move about over an extended period of time
	●	ability to move and handle heavy equipment
	●	lift heavy objects
	Licensure/Certification
	Licensing requirements include:
	●	Completion of a two-year accredited training program
	●	At least two months of supervised level two fieldwork
	●	Completion of six hours of AIDS education
	●	Passing national examination
	●	Completion of 30 hours of continuing education every two years for licensing renewal
	For more information contact:
	●	Washington State Department of Health Occupational Therapy Practice Board P.O. Box 47868 Olympia, WA 98504-7868 (360) 236-4872 http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/hpqad/Occup_Therapy/default.htm
	Helpful high school courses
	Include algebra, art, biology, chemistry, computer applications, English, first aid/ CPR, health, math, physical education, science, and speech.
	Colleges/Vocational Schools in Washington State
	●	Green River Community College 12401 SE 320th St. Auburn, WA 98092-3699 (253) 833-9111
	Outlook*
	In Washington, this occupation is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Employment is projected to increase 44 percent by 2008.
	Professional Associations
	●	American Occupational Therapy Association P.O. Box 31220 Bethesda, MD 20824-1220 (301) 652-2682 (800) 668-8255 http://www.aota.org
	●	American Physical Therapy Association 1111 North Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314-1488 (703) 684-2782 (800) 999-2782 http://www.apta.org
	●	Washington Occupational Therapy Association P.O. Box 4499, Midway Station Kent, WA 98032 (206) 242-9862 http://www.wota.org
	●	Physical Therapy Association of Washington 208 Rogers St. NW Olympia, WA 98502-4940 (360) 352-7290 http://www.ptwa.org/
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	* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.

	For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC 2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310 Seattle, WA 98121 Ph: 206.441.7137 Fax: 206.441.7158	E-mail WWAHEC with a question

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	Page updated 9/15/04