UPDATED OCT. 12, 2020
Those with a talent for creativity – thinking about things in new and different ways – sometimes don’t realize how valuable being creative can be. The fast-changing field of occupational healthcare is one of those areas and becoming an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) is one of those jobs. An OTA degree ranks as one of the best 2 year degrees around, and it all starts with a two-year occupational therapy assistant school.
In fact, an occupational therapy assistant job ranks as one of the top 25 healthcare support jobs, according to the annual lists by U.S. News & World Report. As an OTA, you could have a people-first job, a very competitive salary, and career skills that are needed in hospitals, rehab centers, schools, and with those who want to remain independent in their home.
Creativity is Valuable in Occupational Therapy Assistant School
OTAs often say the ability to use their creative talents is one of the reasons they consider the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree one of the best 2 year degrees they’ve found.
So why is on-the-job creativity so important? OTAs work with people of all ages who have developmental, emotional, sensory, or physical challenges. OTAs also help with post-surgery care and helping people recover from injuries. The goals for each patient will vary, but all focus on helping the client get as close to achieving their life goals as possible.
As you can imagine, therapies and exercises that work for one client don’t always work for another. The play-like therapy an OTA might use for a child is quite different than the therapy an OTA would use for an adult recovering from a severe work injury. In occupational therapy assistant school, you learn how to meet therapy goals by being ready to improvise in case a client isn’t making hoped-for progress.
OTA: Being Creative Works to Your Advantage
Here’s a quote from Elizabeth E., a creative person who found the world of healthcare an ideal place for her skills and abilities:
“So, I grew up thinking my creative aspirations and overall sensitivity would make me extremely unhappy in the fast-paced work environment that healthcare sometimes creates… all the qualities that make me a successful creative are the same qualities that make me a successful healthcare professional.”
How Being a “Creative” Can Make You a Great OTA
As an OTA, taking occupational therapy from theory to real life requires lots of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
Yes, your occupational therapist (OT) partners usually design the treatment plan. It’s the OTA who works one-on-one with clients.
You’ll spend a lot of time in occupational therapy assistant school learning about the OT tools and techniques available to you, as well as polishing up your skills in problem-solving and developing effective relationships with clients.
You’ll also learn how occupational therapy uses your creativity. Some tools or procedures are created on-the-spot by an OTA. Check out these creative tools and adaptations for OT therapy – the inventiveness of occupational healthcare is truly impressive.
Here’s the bottom line: students who want to tap into their creative abilities can be great OTAs. They are the type of person who can lead their clients to better health…and a better life. Their work and dedication also contribute to an OTA degree being one of the best 2 year degrees available today.
You can learn more about what OTAs do at career advising sites such as FreeCareerTest or TheJobNetwork.
The 2-year Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Degree at CUKC
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university located in suburban Kansas City. It’s the right place to launch your OTA career, and U.S. News & World Report ranks OTAs in the top 25 of all healthcare support positions.
Cleveland University-Kansas City offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree. Our OTA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
In addition to the professional OTA coursework delivered through classes and group learning, you’ll practice your OTA skill set in our on-campus, simulated living quarters lab. Finally, you’ll do the four-to-five months of required fieldwork experience that ensures you’re ready for the OTA workforce.
At CUKC you can:
Ready to know more about one of the best 2 year degrees around? Connect with an advisor, or click here for a free eBook: Your Complete Guide to an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career.
