OTA Career: Places Where Occupational Therapy Assistants Work

Communications Staff

Posted September 1, 2017

Healthcare careers offer something a bit different, and none more than Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA). In some healthcare occupations, you spend all day in an office and see the same people every time. When you work as an OTA you will enjoy a level of flexibility that many other careers don’t offer.

That’s because there are a variety of places where OTAs work. Sure, they are typically found in hospitals and doctor’s offices, but there are other opportunities as well. So, if it’s time for you to make a change to a career that is more appealing, an OTA career is where you should start. Let’s explore other places where an OTA uses their skills and see if it’s a field that is right for you.

At-home Care

Many people are recovering from accidents or work injuries, or trying to overcome the effects of a stroke or a similar condition. The lucky ones are those who can leave a hospital and return home to complete their healing process. OTAs make home visits to those individuals as part of their care plan. You get a change of scenery with each new client as you help people regain their independence within the confines of their own home.

Schools

Maybe you know a family with a child that has special needs. OTAs help students, teachers, and parents bridge the learning gap by developing learning strategies that will offer solutions for those children who have special needs regarding things that hinder their cognitive, behavioral, or physical development. If you like working with children, this may be yet another OTA career option for you.

Assisted Living and Senior Care Facilities

Assisted living facilities are another place where OTAs work. Senior adults are more likely to experience falls or stumbles that can result in broken bones. Seniors also suffer a higher level of debilitating conditions like Parkinson’s disease and severe arthritis.

Regardless of the situation, seniors can benefit a great deal from working with an OTA. You could help these mature patients return to a life of productivity by assisting them in re-learning everyday life skills after a health setback.

Physical Therapy

There’s also a role for OTAs in physical therapy offices and rehabilitation clinics. In these locations, you will encounter patients of all ages who have experienced life-altering events. Regardless of whether they need short-term or long-term care, OTAs can help their clients regain the ability to perform daily living activities.

Compensation is favorable regardless of what OTA work environment you choose. It only takes a little bit of research to find the area that’s right for you. According to data from Salary.com, occupational therapy assistants with proven work experience can earn $58,000 per year.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC), located in Overland Park, Kansas, offers an accelerated A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree program. CUKC is a healthcare-focused, private, nonprofit university with small classes that prepare students for national certification and professional job opportunities.

The full-time, on-campus OTA program at CUKC delivers 8-week courses that are intentionally sequenced to allow students to build upon the knowledge and skills gained in each course so that challenging concepts are easier to grasp.

To learn more about an OTA career and the CUKC OTA program, get this free OTA ebook: Your Complete Guide to an Occupational Therapy Career.