Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree: Yes, it’s Creative and Right for You

The value of “being creative” probably didn’t come to mind when first hearing about a healthcare career with an occupational therapy assistant degree. Experts say otherwise. In fact, occupational therapy practitioners say taking occupational therapy from theory to real-life takes skill, knowledge, and lots of creativity, especially for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs).

OTAs Help People Facing Challenges

OTAs interact daily with people struggling with emotional, developmental, cognitive, and sensory issues. Every individual requires a specialized, highly personalized solution to achieve their life goals.

At first, the term “occupational” in OTA makes it sound like the job is only about getting back to work. In reality, it’s more about getting individuals back to doing everyday activities that “occupy” their time. These activities can range from living independently after a disability to helping a child with autism participate more confidently in social interactions.

Being Creative Is One of Many OTA Talents

Those who love working with people and are enthusiastic about figuring out ways to help others reach their potential do great as OTAs. Other talents that are excellent for those who are a right fit for an occupational therapy assistant degree:

• You’re enthusiastic about being a mentor or coach
• You’re a positive person despite encountering challenges
• You’re a keen observer, able to note progress and adjustments to practices that might ensure someone’s continued progress
• You’re a natural at collaboration – you see when to help out and how, and you get energy from the feedback from others

How OTAs Use Those Talents

The beauty of an OTA’s life is variety. No day is the same, but on an average day, an OTA might:

• Show someone how to do stretches or another exercise
• Demonstrate a beneficial play activity for a child with a developmental disability
• Set up adaptive exercise equipment
• Assess client situations and make recommendations
• Document patient progress and discuss options with the OT
• Provide guidance and encouragement to the client, family members, or caregiver.

Variety in What You’ll Do, Variety in Where You’ll Work

Becoming an OTA puts you right at the center of the growth of today’s health care professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics sees a 30%-plus growth for the profession from 2020 through 2030. Even more impressive, OTA’s are again a top-25 health care support job for 2021, according to the annual U.S. News and World Report survey.

One reason for this is the number of places in which Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants are finding employment:

• Childcare centers
• Schools
• Community centers
• Rehabilitation hospitals
• Community mental health offices
• Therapeutic centers
• Primary care hospitals

Earn Your Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree at CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health sciences university located in Overland Park, Kansas. The A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant program at CUKC consists of 16 core courses that include four-to-five months of fieldwork experience in various work environments. Want to know more now? Get connected with an advisor!

Concentrated eight-week courses immerse you into your subjects and allow for completing the degree in as little as two years. Three class starts per year – spring, summer, and fall – let you begin your occupational therapy assistant degree program when you’re ready.

Ready to put creativity and your other talents to work? Learn more about the 2-year occupational therapy assistant degree and the OTA profession. Download the free CUKC eBook today: Your Complete Guide to an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career.