Occupational therapy assistant
Also known as: support worker in occupational therapy, OT assistant, OT support worker, OT technicians, assistant in occupational therapy, occupational therapy rehabilitation assistant
About this occupation
Occupational therapy assistants support occupational therapists by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement. They work under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
Essential skills and knowledge
- movement techniques
- apply techniques of occupational therapy
- follow clinical guidelines
- listen actively
- empathise with the healthcare user
- occupational science
- assist healthcare users achieve autonomy in everyday activities
- monitor patients' progress related to treatment
- supervision of persons
- remediate healthcare user's occupational performance
- occupational physiology
- communicate effectively in healthcare
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Occupational Therapy Assistants (O*NET 31-2011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
- Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
- Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
- Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
- Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
- Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
- Typical education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Time Management
US median pay: US$72,300 a year (2025), 51,290 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyVery important (4.3)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyImportant (3.1)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Physical Therapist Assistants
- Physical Therapist Aides
- Psychiatric Technicians
- Respiratory Therapists
- Acute Care Nurses
- Radiation Therapists
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Medical Assistants
- Massage Therapists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.