Attending OT schools offer a variety of careers working with adults and children. Occupational therapists can be employed by the school system, hospitals, nursing homes or private therapy groups. You can earn a Master’s degree in occupational therapy or an associate’s degree, otherwise known as occupational therapist assistant (OTA).
What Does An Occupational Therapist Do?
Occupational therapists and OTA help people gain or resume daily or work functioning after an injury or illness. Adults often have OT after a stroke, surgery or a broken bone. Children with a delay, illness or neurological disorder may receive OT in order to gain valuable life skills.
An occupational therapist will evaluate an individual and determine if there is a need for therapy. He will then create a care plan with specific goals that will be met in the following months. Once the goals have been met, the patient may need to continue therapy to reach more goals.
How Long Does It Take In OT Schools?
A person must have a Bachelor’s degree before attending a Master’s in Occupational Therapy program. The Bachelor’s degree can be in a number of fields such as psychology, physiology or other related field. The Master’s degree is a two-year program that will concentrate on different forms of therapy and the theory behind them. With a Master’s degree, you can evaluate and treat patients.
An associate’s degree from OT schools, there is no prior schooling or training necessary. The program takes about two years, but some accelerated programs are only a year. An OTA assists the OT, but can perform therapy with the patient. The OTA normally does not assist in evaluations or making care plans.
Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary
They yearly salary varies by geographic location and the type of work. Pediatric OTs typically make more because there is such a high demand. OTs and OTAs working in a private group can expect earn more than hospital or school employees.
The national average for an OT with a Master’s degree is just over $73,000 per year. The average salary for an OTA is almost $49,000 per year. Benefit packages will also be added to the annual salary, and schools and hospitals usually have good benefits available
Choosing OT Schools
Whether you are wanting a Master’s degree or associate’s degree, look for OT schools that are accredited. Attending an accredited school means you will be eligible for financial aid and your degree will be recognized by your employer and future schools you attend. Both OTAs and OT will need to be certified by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) before working.
Occupational therapy is a job that is in high demand. With high instances of neurological disorders in children such as autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, children are in need of occupational therapy to gain valuable life skills. OTs in schools are needed to help these children throughout the day and assist neurotypical children with handwriting and other skills.
After attending OT schools, OTs working with adults provide recovery assistance after a stroke or other injury or disease. Occupational therapy helps a person resume their work, sport or daily life with or without the need of medical aids such as a wheelchair or walker.
Look for accredited OT schools that are recognized by the AOTA. The salary difference between an associate’s degree and Master’s degree is large, but the gap tends to be smaller within private groups and pediatric occupational therapists.