They are not doctors or physicians. But, they assist during key treatment procedures. The Occupational Therapy Aides are responsible for various tasks such as scheduling appointments with patients/clients, answering their calls, keeping supplies in stock, filling out insurance forms and other paperwork and many more. They prepare materials and gather all equipments required during the treatment.

The Occupational Therapy Aide works under the direct supervision of an Occupational Therapist. They mainly work at outpatient therapy offices, clinics and healthcare organizations.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn an Associate’s Degree: The minimum educational requirement for an Occupation Therapy Aide is a two-year associate’s degree. It can be obtained from any institution accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Coursework may include biology, psychology,

kinesiology (the science of movement) and other occupational therapy subjects. Students can also opt for training and field work, which will give a tremendous boost to their profile.

2. Licensing and Certification: The aspirant Occupational Therapy Aides may take the exams conducted by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to complete the certification. They can also apply for licensure, as many states in the United States seek licensed professionals.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Occupational Therapy Aides remain very bright. The job will have a projected growth of 41 per cent during the period of 2012-22. This is much above the national average. The average annual salary for Occupational Therapy Aides was $26,850 in May 2012.