You love being active and you want the same in a career. Being confined to an office and having the same routine day after day doesn’t do it for you. An excellent option for people like you is occupational therapy assistant school. In two years, you’ll be an occupational therapy assistant – an OTA – and have the kind of job that delivers personal and professional satisfaction
The Action-filled World of Occupational Therapy
Not familiar with what occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) do? OTAs are healthcare specialists who primarily work in client locations and carry out therapy activities with clients who have developmental, mental, emotional, sensory, and physical issues.
Every day brings new and exciting challenges. OTAs love the feeling that comes with personalized, one-on-one contact with clients, assisting them in their desire to live the life they want.
Occupational Therapy Assistant School: 2 Years to a Career
In a two-year OTA degree program, there’s a rapid progression from foundational classes to comprehensive professional training. As you might expect for such an active profession, occupational therapy assistant school is, well, more involved than sitting in a classroom.
Imagine learning what an OTA does through a two-year degree program with a heavy focus on
Sounds pretty good to you, right?
Perhaps you’re like Megan, a recent occupational therapy assistant school graduate. She found her calling as an OTA because she wanted to do something with more variety each day. “We have people with strokes, Down syndrome, autism,” she said. “You can work in so many different settings.”
Where OTAs Work
The flexibility to work in different therapy environments contributes to the rewarding aspects of becoming an OTA. Which of these settings excites you the most?
At-home Care
Scores of people recovering from accidents or work injuries need guidance and instruction to overcome the effects of a stroke, heart attack, or a debilitating physical condition. OTAs make home visits to those individuals as part of their overall healthcare plan.
Schools
Like working with children? OTAs help students, parents, and teachers bridge learning or developmental gaps by leading learning strategies and coping skills.
Assisted Living/Senior Care Facilities
Senior adults are more likely to experience falls, resulting in sprains, broken bones, and other injuries. Older adults often face conditions like Parkinson’s disease and severe arthritis, and they can benefit from OTA-led therapies and activities.
Rehabilitation
There’s also a role for OTAs in post-surgery scenarios, physical therapy offices, and rehabilitation clinics. For clients facing longer-term recoveries, OTAs might ensure the home setting is safe and introduce assistive devices or technologies for everyday tasks. OTAs also know how to help injured workers return to the career they enjoy.
After Occupational Therapy Assistant School, a Bright Career Outlook
After graduating from an accredited occupational therapy assistant school, you’ll be eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. As a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), you’ll find yourself in a field that now ranks as the 4th fastest growing profession.
According to the U.S.News annual survey, an OTA is in the top 10 of all healthcare support jobs.
Becoming an OTA delivers an annual compensation that reflects the unique skills of OTAs and their growing importance in today’s healthcare economy.
Occupational Therapy Assistant School: Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC)
When occupational therapy assistant school seems like the right fit, consider Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC). CUKC is a private, nonprofit, healthcare-focused university offering the associate of applied science (A.A.S. degree) in Occupational Therapy Assistant.
CUKC links the teaching and learning process used by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to ensure a high-quality educational experience. Our occupational therapy assistant school delivers 8-week courses that build a vast array of knowledge and skills.
Other features of our A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant program:
At CUKC, we have full-time staff to guide you through the available financial aid options, including grants, loans, and scholarship assistance.
Ready to take action? For more information about our OTA degree, click here, and request this free eBook: Your Complete Guide to an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career.
