All careers

Occupational Therapy Aides

Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.

What you’d do

  • Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals.
  • Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments.
  • Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.
  • Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
  • Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
  • Instruct patients and families in work, social, and living skills, the care and use of adaptive equipment, and other skills to facilitate home and work adjustment to disability.
  • Assist occupational therapists in planning, implementing, and administering therapy programs to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, using selected activities and special equipment.
  • Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual and creative arts and games.

Skills that matter

  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination
  • Critical Thinking

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • Occupational Therapy Aide (OT Aide)
  • Rehabilitation Aide (Rehab Aide)
  • Rehabilitation Services Aide
  • Restorative Aide
  • Certified Occupational Rehabilitation Aide (CORA)
  • Direct Service Professional (DSP)

Related careers

See all careers

  • Physical Therapist Aides

    Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in…

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Occupational Therapy Assistants

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Physical Therapist Assistants

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Psychiatric Technicians

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Rehabilitation Counselors

    Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties…

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Psychiatric Aides

    Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff.

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one