If you know someone who’s adapted well to a severe disability or returned to a job they love following an injury, you’ve seen the benefits of occupational therapy actions and practices. Those activities were carried out by those graduating from an occupational therapy assistant school.

Here are a few examples where real life gets “real help” from occupational therapists and their on-the-site partners – occupational therapy assistants (OTAs).

• A client with a body balance issue wants to take a daily shower but is afraid of falling, so he skips this step to personal hygiene.
• A client recovering from shoulder surgery wants to wear her favorite top but can’t figure out how to put it on due to her limited range of motion
• A senior adult showing signs of dementia keeps confusing sugar with salt, leading to other health issues.

Those examples should give you a clearer picture of what OTAs do. Luckily, the healthcare industry understands the benefits of occupational therapy. Indeed, occupational therapy applies to many types of difficulties:

• Developmental delays
• Physical
• Emotional
• Mental
• Sensory processing disorders
• Complications from conditions such as autism, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and cerebral palsy.

As a result, the need for more people to be occupational therapy school graduates is high, as the demand is set to grow by 30% between 2020 and 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. OTAs are in demand by schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician offices, and home health agencies.

OTAs and Home Healthcare: A Great Match

Occupational therapy is particularly valuable in home healthcare. Research studies show that 9 of 10 people prefer home care to nursing home care. Every year, more than 14 million Americans receive home-care services through Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration plans, Tricare, and commercial and private pay insurance.

In-home services an OTA might do:

• Safety assessments for those wishing to live at home. They can evaluate the home for fall risks (loose rugs, etc.) and recommend home modifications (adding handrails, etc.)
• After observing the client in their home, the OTA might introduce assistive tools or technologies.
• Assist clients in developing more effective daily routines, medication adherence, self-management, and stress management strategies.
• Work one-on-one with family members or caregivers looking for support, guidance, and resources.

About Occupational Therapy Assistant School

As impressive as becoming an OTA is, many high-caring, people-focused individuals like yourself are surprised they can become an OTA in two years. Most OTAs earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S. degree) in Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Typical OTA degree components:

• Preliminary courses in subjects like English, psychology, and healthcare terminology
• Completion of 70-75 credit hours, composed of traditional classes, demonstrations, skills practice
• 15 core courses, including approximately 4-5 months of supervised fieldwork experiences.

The classwork and fieldwork segments taught in occupational therapy assistant school provide the necessary education to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam and become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

OTA Degree at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC)

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, 100-year-old university in Overland Park, Kansas. CUKC serves students seeking careers in the chiropractic and health sciences.

CUKC offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Occupational Therapy Assistant. In our two-year program, OTA courses are delivered in sequential 8-week modules year-round. The degree program includes four to five months of required fieldwork experience, ensuring mastery of essential OTA skills and knowledge.

Other features of our 2-year OTA program:

• Fully accredited by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• On-campus simulated living quarters lab
• Prepares you for the national exam to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
• Two class start options per year: spring and fall.

Connect with an advisor today to learn what occupational therapy assistant school is like, then download this free CUKC eBook: Your Complete Guide to an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career.