• Occupational Therapy Assistants: These professionals help patients carry out the treatment plan created for them by an occupational therapist. They may assist patients in their exercises, record the patient's progress, and bill the patient's health insurance company.
• Occupational Therapy Aides: OT aides are involved in the clerical and preparatory duties of the occupational therapist's office. They may schedule appointments, answer the phone, file paperwork, and prepare the exam room for the next patient.

• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete

In most cases, occupational therapy assistants must complete an associate's degree program in occupational therapy, before they can become employed. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (AOTE) is the most important regulatory body for OT assistant education; graduation from an AOTE accredited school is generally required to sit for state occupational therapy certification exams. Most occupational therapy aides learn the skills necessary for their work on the job, and are not required to have a degree beyond the high school diploma. Bachelor's programs in occupational therapy are usually aimed at students interested in continuing on to occupational therapy master's programs.

Students in occupational therapy assisting associate programs learn about different types of occupational therapy, such as gerontology, mental health assistance, and pediatric care. Basic foundational course work in medical science, anatomy, and physiology is also included in the degree. A mandatory two-month clinical internship in occupational therapy assisting occurs at the end of the degree program. (BLS)

Licensing requirements for occupational therapy assistants vary by state, although the vast majority do require some sort of license, certification, or registration. Eligibility requirements are typically graduation from an AOTE approved program and a passing score on the national occupational therapy assistant certification exam. Some states also require occupational therapy assistants to complete continuing education programs, in order to maintain their licensure. Check your state's occupational therapy board for specific information regarding your state's requirements.

Voluntary certification is also available for occupational therapy assistants from the National Board for Certifying Occupational Therapy, which offers its own credentialing exam. After successful completion of the exam, therapists earn the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant title.

Those who successfully graduate from an occupational therapy assistant associate program can expect earnings between $39,000 and $58,000 a year. Home health care services, health practitioner offices, nursing care facilities, and hospitals are the largest employers of occupational therapy assistants.

Occupational therapy aides typically earn $22,000-$33,000 a year. They are more often employed in larger healthcare settings, such as specialty hospitals, general medical hospitals, and health practitioner offices. (BLS)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a very rapid 30 percent increase in occupational therapy assistant jobs by 2018; this is roughly three times as quickly as the national rate of job growth. The U.S population is aging, and occupational therapy assistants will grow in demand as a response to the population's increasing healthcare needs. Occupational therapy assistants are in a prime position to help with chronic pain and disabilities, and the effects of strokes and heart attacks—ailments primarily felt by the elderly. As trauma care becomes more effective, more accident survivors will need long-term therapeutic care. Federal legislation guaranteeing school-based therapy for disabled youth will also increase the demand for OTAs.

Although overall job opportunities should be excellent for occupational therapy assistants, OTAs can increase their employment prospects by interning in an occupational therapy office during high school or during their degree program.

A physical therapy assistant career is the profession most closely related to occupational therapy assisting. Physical therapy assistants help patients restore the movement in their muscles and bones, after an accident or injury. And like the occupational therapy field, physical therapy assistant positions should be plentiful in the coming years. (BLS)

Medical assistants also perform important clinical and administrative duties in healthcare offices. They may help physicians by administering injections, taking patient histories, or performing diagnostic tests. Certain medical assistants only perform office management tasks, such as scheduling appointments and answering the phone.

Pharmacy technicians have another support role in the healthcare industry. They assist pharmacists in filling prescriptions, counting pills, and billing patients' insurance companies. Pharmacy technician training can last 6 months to 2 years. (BLS)

What's the difference between occupational therapy assistants and occupational therapy aides?
Occupational therapy aides have limited formal training, while occupational therapy assistants are required to graduate from an associate degree program in occupational therapy assisting. Aides perform more administrative and preparatory tasks, and have limited interactions with patients.

What special traits do occupational therapy assistants need?
Occupational therapy assistants should have good physical stamina, as this occupation requires standing and kneeling for long periods; assistants also move patients and heavy equipment. All OTAs must be able to function well as part of a team, and they should have a caring demeanor and a willingness to help patients.

How can I improve my chances of admission into an occupational therapy assistant training program?
Volunteering or working as an aide in an occupational therapy office is helpful, as is completing high school coursework in health administration, biology, and chemistry.

Where are occupational therapy assistants employed?
A little over 25 percent of occupational therapy assistants work in occupational therapist offices, while another 25 percent are employed in hospitals. Twenty percent work in nursing care facilities, and others are employed in home healthcare services, government agencies, individual and family services, and community care services.

Which occupational therapy assisting employers have higher-than-average salaries?
Home healthcare services pay OTAs about $59,000 a year, which is about $8,000 higher than the average salary. Nursing care facilities and occupational therapy offices also pay slightly higher-than-average salaries, at $54,000-55,000 a year. (BLS)