How to Become an Occupational Therapist Aide

Occupational therapy aides provide valuable support services for occupational therapists and occupational therapist aides. In 2006, an occupational therapist assistant could make between $20,000 and $32,000 annually. Because the population is growing older and requiring more care, the "Bureau of Labor Statistics" expects that there will be more job opportunities in occupational therapy until at least 2016.

Things You'll Need

• High school diploma or G.E.D.

Instructions

1. Get your high school diploma or your G.E.D. before starting to look for a job. You do not need any further schooling to get a job as an occupational therapy aide. Most of your training will be on the job.

2. Learn about occupational therapy and the equipment that occupational therapists use. Even though most occupational therapist aides get on the job training, knowing about the field will help you in job interviews.

3. Prepare a resume that highlights your skills. Some of the skills that will be important as an occupational therapy aide are clerical skills, receptionist skills and the ability to organize appointments and equipment.

4. Check your local newspaper for jobs in nursing homes, hospitals and other medical facilities. You can also search for occupational therapist aide jobs online.

Tips & Warnings

• A training course in office management or clerical skills may help you get an occupational therapy assistant job.

• Check with local rehabilitation hospitals to find out if there are local occupational therapists who might need an assistant.

• A job as an occupational therapist assistant can be a stepping stone to a job as an occupational therapist aide with further training.

• Occupational therapist assistants are not licensed, so they generally aren't allowed to do any therapy or patient care.

Resources

• American Occupational Therapy Association
• Read about the job outlook for Occupational Therapist Assistants