Also called: COTA, OTA
Helps patients practice daily-living skills under an occupational therapist's plan.
Helps a child practice handwriting and scissors skills, coaches an older adult through safely getting in and out of a bathtub, and tracks progress for the supervising OT.
BLS May 2024.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate degree from an accredited OTA program and certification exam.
Ways in: 2-year college, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Occupational Therapy Assistant (associate).
Growing much faster than average (about 15% over 10 years). Much faster than average.
Low risk for 10 years. AI handles some notes and progress tracking; coaching patients through daily tasks stays hands-on.
Classes: Psychology, Anatomy & physiology, Art, Child development.
Official data: O*NET occupation 31-2011.
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