How Many Years Does It Take To Become An Occupational Therapist Assistant?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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These programs generally require

2 years of full-time study

and include instruction in subjects such as psychology, biology, and pediatric health. In addition to taking coursework, assistants must complete at least 16 weeks of fieldwork to gain hands-on work experience.

How long does it take to become a OTA?

How long does it take to become an OTA? OTAs can complete an associate's degree in 23-24 months or estimated

two years

. Master's degree programs for Occupational Therapists degree programs require a bachelor's degree to apply and take an estimated two years to complete their degree programs.

Is it hard to become an OTA?


The classes might be hard

, but it could be worth the effort to earn your college degree and begin a rewarding healthcare career in as little as 2 years as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

How much does OTA make?

State Employment (1) Annual mean wage (2) California 2,160

$ 73,930
Nevada 350 $ 73,930 New Jersey 650 $ 71,680 Texas 3,790 $ 69,420

Do you need a bachelors to be an OTA?

Most OTAs earn an associate degree from a community college or technical-vocational school, although

some may have a bachelor's degree

. In addition, they must be licensed in most states, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What degree do I need for OTA?

Occupational Therapy Assistant:

You must earn an

Associate's degree or higher in Occupational Therapy

from an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (AOTE) certified school.

Who gets paid more OTA or PTA?

The median salary for

established OTAs

is more than $60,000. The median salary for established PTAs is $58,040. … First-year OTA salaries are in the $45,000 range. Typical responsibilities of OTAs tend to have a wider scope than a physical therapy assistant.

Is occupational therapy harder than nursing?


Nursing is more difficult than Occupational Therapy

(OT) since it entails dealing with sick and dying patients, working long hours, and working shifts. However, being a nurse provides more income and a broader choice of job options to increase earning potential.

Is Ota a good career choice?

OTA is

consistently listed as one of the best healthcare jobs

, and for a good reason. Generally speaking, there is a high growth, low stress and a great work-life balance in the field.

What does occupational therapist assistant do?

Occupational therapy assistants and aides

help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working

. Occupational therapy assistants are directly involved in providing therapy to patients; occupational therapy aides typically perform support activities.

Where do occupational therapist assistants make the most money?

Best-Paying States for Occupational Therapy Assistants

The states and districts that pay Occupational Therapy Assistants the highest mean salary are

New Jersey ($73,680)

, Nevada ($72,400), California ($70,150), Virginia ($68,120), and Texas ($67,090).

How do I become an occupational therapist in Ota?

To become an OT, you must complete a master's program in occupational therapy, which OTA's can apply to directly or

complete a

bachelor's degree before doing so. Alternatively, bridge programs allow an OTA to obtain a OT degree directly.

What does a occupational therapist do?

Occupational therapy

provides support to people whose health prevents them doing the activities that matter to them

. An occupational therapist can identify strengths and difficulties you may have in everyday life, such as dressing or getting to the shops, and will help you work out practical solutions.

What kind of degree is occupational therapy?


A master's degree

is required to become an occupational therapist. Students can either earn a bachelor's degree in a related field, like biology or physiology, before advancing to a master's program, or they can apply for a combined bachelor's/master's program.

What colleges have OTA programs?

  • American Career College-Orange County Campus.
  • CBD College.
  • Grossmont College.
  • Sacramento City College.
  • Santa Ana College.
  • Stanbridge University.

Is Ota a major?

Because OTAs are assistants, they report to occupational therapists. This is another factor that plays into why OTA is an

associate's degree

rather than a bachelor's degree. … One major difference is OTAs may need to take on a greater caseload than the OT due to the extra paperwork required of the occupational therapist.

Are there any online OTA programs?


There are no accredited entry-level occupational therapy

or occupational therapy assistant educational programs that are offered in the online format. Some educational programs may offer some courses or parts of courses online, but there are no entry-level educational programs offered entirely online.

Is occupational therapy a stressful career?


Being an occupational therapist can be stressful

.

Almost every setting has productivity requirements, with some settings less strict than others. So while you do get to provide meaningful treatments and help people achieve their goals, you do have to deal with the struggle of meeting your productivity on a daily basis.

What is the difference between physical and occupational therapists assistants?

PTAs focus

on helping patients regain range of motion, strength and flexibility in the affected areas of the body

, improve balance and coordination, and relieve pain. Occupational therapy aims to help people learn to accomplish tasks for independent living or carrying out job functions.

Do OTAs get benefits?

You'll

get paid well

.

OTAs command a high salary relative to their level of education—more than $60,000 per year, on average.

Is there a shortage of occupational therapists?

On the basis of current trends, demand for OT services will outpace the supply of occupational therapists within the United States.

Shortages are expected to increase for all 50 states through 2030

. The number of states with a grade D or below will increase from 3 in 2010, to 18 in 2020, to 37 in 2030, respectively.

Is occupational therapy school difficult?

The short answer is:

YES, occupational therapy school is hard

. … These programs want to ensure you're equipped to competently and safely work in the healthcare field, so you're going to have a good amount of science classes involved in any of these programs, along with challenging clinical/fieldwork rotations.

Do OTS wear scrubs?

Do Occupational Therapists Wear Scrubs?

Yes

. Occupational therapists are required to wear scrubs at certain rehabilitation centers and hospitals. If scrubs are not required wherever the OT is employed, they often wear a polo shirt with either dark colored pants or scrub pants.

What hours do OTAs work?

In a clinical setting, most OTAs finish work

around 5 pm

. The late afternoon or end of the day work time slot can be used to prepare for patients scheduled for the following day and/or catch up on anything else you left unfinished.

Do occupational therapists make good money?

How Much Does an Occupational Therapist Make? Occupational Therapists made a median salary of $84,950 in 2019. The

best-paid 25 percent made $101,590

that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $69,710.

What is the highest paying field in occupational therapy?

  • Nursing care facilities: $92,260 per year.
  • Home healthcare services: $91,830 per year.
  • Hospitals: $86,910 per year.
  • Offices: $86,830 per year.
  • Elementary and secondary schools: $76,560 per year.

How much does a Band 5 occupational therapist earn?

Salaries for occupational therapists working in the NHS start at Band 5 of the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) Pay Rates

(£24,907 to £30,615)

. Salaries for specialist occupational therapists range from £31,365 to £37,890 (Band 6) and advanced/highly specialist occupational therapists can earn £38,890 to £44,503 (Band 7).

What skills do you need to be an occupational therapist?

  • Communication skills. Occupational therapists must be able to listen attentively to what patients tell them and be able to explain what they want their patients to do.
  • Compassion. …
  • Flexibility. …
  • Interpersonal skills. …
  • Patience. …
  • Writing skills.

What does an occupational therapist make?

Average Wage $46.42 / hr Average Salary

$75,706.00 / yr
Hours Per Week 31.5 hrs

Where do most occupational therapy assistants work?

Occupational therapy assistants work primarily in

occupational therapists' offices, hospitals and nursing care facilities

. Occupational therapy assistants spend much of their time on their feet setting up equipment and working with patients.

Are OTAs in demand?

Job Outlook

Occupational therapy is one of the top healthcare fields in the United States today and the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) profession

is in very high demand

. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates that employment for the profession will grow by 35% between 2019 and 2029.

How much do otas make a month?

State Annual Salary Monthly Pay California

$79,192


$6,599
Vermont $76,228 $6,352 Massachusetts $76,059 $6,338 Wyoming $74,561 $6,213

How much do OTAs make in California?

How much does an OTA make in California? While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $113,056 and as low as $37,358, the majority of OTA salaries currently range between

$61,935 (25th percentile) to $87,987 (75th percentile)

with top earners (90th percentile) making $100,768 annually in California.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.