Occupational Therapy Assistant School: Now’s the Time!

Communications Staff

Posted March 18, 2020

April is Occupational Therapy Month, a special time to spring into a profession that helps others reach their full potential. In fact, “living life to fullest” is this year’s theme for Occupational Therapy Month. When you want a career that’s all about helping people rise above the challenges in their life, April is the time to learn more about occupational therapy assistant school.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that seeks to increase a person’s

ability to function at the highest possible level. Learn more about it online at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) website. What’s really impressive is the multiple ways OT professionals can provide help, hope, and healing.

Occupational therapy professionals – teams of occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) – work in many settings and are highly skilled in therapy actions and methods designed for people of all ages.

OTAs Help Clients Achieve Their Goals

In an occupational therapy assistant school, OTA students learn how to assist clients who have

• Developmental challenges, such as under-developed fine- or gross-motor skills
• Emotional/social conditions that interfere with school and social activities
• Physical situations that require learned skills, like using a wheelchair
• Suffered a life-interrupting injury, such as a traumatic brain injury or paralysis.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools Want People With These Qualities

1. OTA schools are looking for students who can establish a trusting relationship with their clients.

Good OTAs serve as a coach, teacher, and friend to their clients. They easily communicate empathy and understanding while also keeping therapy goals in mind. They learn to sharpen their caring-for-people instincts through classes, labs, and field experiences.

2. OTA schools want someone with organizational and creative talents. 

OTAs convert occupational therapy from theory to real life. Two of the essential roles taught in an occupational therapy assistant school are the discipline to carry out a therapy plan and to be alert enough to adapt a plan when necessary.

3. OTA schools want students who collaborate and innovate.

To achieve the goals of a client, the OTA and the occupational therapist must coordinate their expertise. The OTA works directly with the client, monitors progress, and recommends adjustments to ensure progress toward a client’s goals. Students who are collaborative problem solvers and can think creatively perform well in occupational therapy assistant school.

April is Occupational Therapy Month. Here’s How to Learn More.

Check out the information available on the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) website and see how you can help others live life to the fullest.

If you find yourself drawn to becoming an OTA, check out these blogs describing the six practice areas you’ll learn about in occupational therapy assistant school.

Occupational Therapy Careers: Children and Youth
Occupational Therapy Careers: Health & Wellness
Occupational Therapy Careers: Work and Industry
Occupational Therapy Careers: Rehabilitation
Occupational Therapy Careers: Ensuring Quality of Life
Occupational Therapy Careers: Mental/Emotional Health Challenge

All About Occupational Therapy Assistant School

Those who believe strongly in high-level patient care generally select a two-year occupational therapy assistant school because it has three advantages.

(1) The two-year occupational therapy assistant school gets students out to the workforce in half the time. This accelerated degree program is an associate of applied science (A.A.S. degree) in occupational therapy assistant and prepares students to be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

(2) The two-year OTA school uses an accelerated format (eight-week courses vs. a traditional 16-week format.

(3) The salary for an OTA compares to some jobs requiring a four-year degree. The average salary for a bachelor’s degree was $50,944 last year. A new OTA working in the midwestern U.S. typically earns a salary between $47,000 and $52,000 per year, and the median salary for OTAs rose to $59,052 in 2020.

Occupational Therapy Assistant School at CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university in suburban Kansas City. CUKC offers an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree.

Along with classes, you will master your OTA skill set in our on-campus simulated living quarters lab and directed activities. The four-to-five months of required fieldwork experience are part of the CUKC program, and you’ll be ready to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Most states use the National Board for Certifying Occupational Therapy NBCOT exam as their foundation for licensure.

CUKC program highlights:

• Earn the Occupational Therapy Assistant degree (A.A.S.) in as little as two years
• Prepares you to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
• Guaranteed admission for eligible students who complete required prerequisite coursework at CUKC
• Spring, summer, and fall class starts. Class sizes are limited.

To learn all about the CUKC two-year OTA degree program, download the free career ebook today: Your Complete Guide to an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career.