 Preparation
An associate degree
or a certificate from an accredited community college or technical
school is generally required to qualify for occupational therapist
assistant jobs.
Programs are accredited by
the Accreditation
Council for Occupational Therapy Education; a full list
is available
online.
The first year of study typically involves an introduction to health
care, basic medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. In the second
year, courses are more rigorous and usually include occupational
therapist courses in areas such as mental health, adult physical
disabilities, gerontology, and pediatrics. Students also must complete
16 weeks of supervised fieldwork in a clinic or community setting.
 Applicants to occupational therapist assistant programs can improve
their chances of admission by taking high school courses in biology and
health and by performing volunteer work in nursing care facilities,
occupational or physical therapists' offices, or other health care
settings.
In most states,
occupational therapist assistants are regulated and must pass a national
certification examination after they graduate. Those who pass the test
are awarded the title "Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant."
Assistants must be responsible, patient,
and willing to take directions and work as part of a team. Furthermore,
they should be caring and want to help people who are not able to help
themselves.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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