Accredited weekend programs and programs for OTAs seeking occupational therapy (OT) degrees, sorted by State. In Occupational Therapy Assistant degree with less.
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Occupational therapy is a profession dedicated to helping people develop, recover or improve daily living skills that have been lost due to injuries, illnesses or disabilities. Occupational therapists, or OTs, use everyday living activities such as dressing, writing or using a computer as therapeutic activities. Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of an OT and may perform some of the same functions. In addition to education and job task differences, salaries for the two roles are different. In 2011, the salary was $52,150 for an occupational therapy assistant and $74,970 for an OT, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational Therapy Assistant Bridge Program
An occupational therapy assistant, or OTA, must have an associate degree and must be licensed in some states. OTA education includes courses in psychology, pediatric health, biology and anatomy. Clinical field work is the part of the OTA’s education that helps her gain hands-on clinical skills and work experience. An OTA must graduate from an accredited program in order to be licensed and may also take an examination to become a certified occupational therapy assistant.
Skills and Qualities
An OTA who wants to become an OT should start by considering the differences between the two jobs and the skills or qualities that each may have in common. Although both OTs and OTAs may help patients perform exercises or teach them how to use specially modified tools and equipment, the OT is responsible for developing a therapeutic care plan and evaluating the patient’s progress. Both occupations require compassion and interpersonal skills. OTAs may need more physical strength as they spend much time stooping, kneeling or standing during patient therapy sessions. OTs need good writing and communication skills to communicate with patients, families and other members of the health-care team.
Education
An OT has more education than an OTA -- a master’s degree is the minimum requirement for the profession. OTAs who want to become OTs may have already taken some of the necessary courses, but each program is likely to have different requirements and prerequisites. In some cases, the OTA must go back to school for a bachelor's degree. In others, she may be able to take additional courses that can supplement her associate degree and allow her to enter an OT master’s program. Each program determines whether and what courses from an OTA’s initial training can be transferred for an OT degree.
Bridge Programs
A few schools offer weekend or bridge programs designed to allow an OTA to obtain a OT degree, according to the American Occupational Therapy Association. These programs are often tailored for working adults; they may include distance learning, on-site classes and weekend classes. Some require a bachelor's degree, while others allow the OTA to complete a bachelor’s program and then go on for a master's. As of 2013, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin offered at least one of these specialized bridge programs. The time needed to get a degree will depend on the individual, but is likely to take at least two or three years.
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About the Author
Beth Greenwood is an RN and has been a writer since 2010. She specializes in medical and health topics, as well as career articles about health care professions. Greenwood holds an Associate of Science in nursing from Shasta College.
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