Occupational Therapy Careers: OTAs Are Meeting the Mental Health Challenge

Communications Staff

UPDATED AUGUST 28, 2020

Welcome to part six of a six-part blog series that dives into the world of occupational therapy careers and those who work directly with individuals affected by various challenges: the occupational therapy assistant!

Part 1: Occupational Therapy Careers: Working with Children and Youth
Part 2: Occupational Therapy Careers: Improving Health & Wellness as an OTA
Part 3: Occupational Therapy Careers: The OTA Role in Work and Industry
Part 4: Occupational Therapy Careers: OTAs Help With Rehabilitation
Part 5: Occupational Therapy Careers: Occupational Therapy Assistants Ensure Quality of Life

In Part 6 of this blog series, the topic is exploring occupational therapy’s role in mental health, and how the knowledge and instincts of those in an occupational therapy assistant career provide mental health treatment and prevention services.

OT Focuses on the Whole Person

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) lists six practice areas within occupational therapy: children and youth, health and wellness, mental health, productive aging, rehabilitation and disability, and work and industry.

If you’ve been reading this blog series, you’re not at all surprised by this wide application of OTA knowledge. The primary difference between occupational therapy and other professions is the use of occupations (activities and skills) in the evaluation and treatment. Both an Occupational Therapist (OT) and an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) help people of all ages meet the challenges of emotional, developmental, and mental difficulties.

Occupational therapy practitioners consider environment (context) and current and future abilities needed for desired tasks. OTAs help people of all ages meet the challenges of emotional, developmental, and mental difficulties. They often work with specialists in other fields to coordinate care.

Remember, while occupational therapists (OTs) take the lead in developing a treatment plan, it’s OTAs who work directly with the individuals to carry out the plan. OTA expertise allows them to recommend changes when needed for continued progress. (Go here for more about how the roles of Occupational Therapists and OTAs differ.)

Working Toward Improved Mental Health

Occupational therapy practitioners are active participants in the mental health of a community. You’ll find OTAs working with individuals in homeless and battered-women shelters, correctional facilities, group homes, workplaces, schools, and in coordination with community-based programs.

OTAs and others in occupational therapy careers work toward improving mental health in a variety of ways. Some examples:

• Not taking prescribed medications might be one reason for someone being sent to an inpatient psychiatric unit. An OTA might set up a short-term plan to find out what is preventing the person from taking the correct medications. If the person has a complicated med schedule, for example, the OTA could show how to use a per-day pillbox, set up a schedule to follow, and make a pill identification chart.
• For someone not meeting standards in a work environment, OTAs might observe the person in the actual work conditions. They might talk with the employer or co-workers regarding skills needed and determine what is affecting the job performance. They might also role play with the person to develop productive ways to manage a situation before it becomes a major issue.

Does an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career Fit Me?

Deciding to pursue an occupational therapy assistant career as an OTA is a very personal choice. OTAs love what they do because they like seeing the difference they make in people’s lives.

The career site owlgruru.com gives the OTA profession a high rating, and a 2020 report by U.S. News and World Report says an OTA position is one the “best health care support jobs” available.

It’s also reassuring to know the outlook for occupational therapy careers is good, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics sees OTA job growth increasing more than 30% from 2018 to 2028. Experienced OTAs earn more than $61,000 a year, and a first-year salary is typically over $45,000 (plus benefits).

Occupational Therapy Careers at CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, health-care focused university located in Overland Park, Kansas. CUKC serves students seeking careers in the chiropractic and health sciences.

When you’re ready to begin an occupational therapy assistant career, discover the CUKC Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Occupational Therapy Assistantdegree program. OTA courses are delivered in sequential 8-week modules year-round, allowing students to complete the degree in two years. The degree program includes the four-to-five months of required fieldwork experience.

Other features of the OTA program:

• Fully accredited by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Includes the latest equipment and practices, including a simulated living quarters lab
• Gets you ready to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
• Guaranteed admission for eligible students who complete all required prerequisite coursework at CUKC, meet all other criteria, and all satisfy all OTA program considerations.
• Three class start options: spring, summer, and fall each year

Connect with an advisor today to learn about the two-year OTA degree, or explore the occupational therapy assistant career by downloading the free CUKC ebook today: Your Complete Guide to an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career.