Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Description: Duties and Responsibilities
As healthcare settings continue to evolve, the role of the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) has become increasingly vital - particularly in pediatric and specialized care environments. HR professionals play a key role in sourcing, attracting, and hiring qualified OTAs who can make a meaningful difference in patient care. Understanding how to craft a precise and effective occupational therapy assistant job description is critical for compliance and successful talent acquisition.
This guide offers HR professionals a comprehensive overview of the requirements, responsibilities, and skill sets essential for occupational therapy assistant roles, with specific insights into pediatric and certified positions.
Introduction
Occupational therapy assistant roles are in high demand, with employment expected to grow by 23% between 2022 and 2032 in the United States, significantly outpacing many other professions (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). For HR professionals, understanding the intricacies of this expanding field is essential for attracting top talent and ensuring legal compliance within a highly regulated healthcare environment.
A well-crafted occupational therapy assistant job description acts as the foundation for recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluation. It provides clarity for candidates and safeguards for employers. This guide will equip you to confidently draft, refine, and post OTA job descriptions that attract qualified talent and meet your organization's specific needs.
Defining the Occupational Therapy Assistant Role
An occupational therapy assistant works under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, helping clients develop, recover, or maintain the skills necessary for daily living and working. The OTA is directly involved in implementing therapy plans, guiding clients through therapeutic activities, and documenting progress (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2022).
An effective job description for occupational therapy assistant roles should clearly outline the scope of responsibilities, such as:
- Supporting patients during prescribed therapeutic activities
- Documenting patient responses and clinical progress
- Communicating with occupational therapists, patients, and families
- Maintaining a safe and supportive therapeutic environment
A clear occupational therapy assistant job description sets expectations, promotes legal compliance, and enhances organizational reputation (Society for Human Resource Management [SHRM], 2022).
Core Responsibilities in the OTA Job Description
The foundational duties of an OTA - applicable in adult, pediatric, or specialized care settings - typically include:
- Implementing Therapy Plans: Executing interventions designed by the occupational therapist (AOTA, 2022)
- Assisting Patients: Facilitating exercises and activities that enhance functional independence
- Documenting Progress: Recording patient status, changes, and outcomes to inform ongoing treatment
- Maintaining Equipment and Safety: Keeping therapeutic materials sanitized, safe, and accessible
- Patient and Family Education: Explaining therapeutic strategies to patients and caregivers
- Administrative Support: Assisting with scheduling, inventory management, and documentation
Tailor your job description for occupational therapy assistant roles to fit specific organizational settings, whether hospitals, rehab centers, outpatient clinics, schools, or community programs. Including clear, real-world examples of responsibilities helps candidates gain a realistic understanding of the role.
Qualifications and Certifications: Ensuring Compliance
To hire qualified OTAs, the job description must specify clear educational and certification requirements. In the United States, occupational therapy assistants typically are required to have:
- Education: A completed associate degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy assistant program (AOTA, 2022)
- Certification: Successful completion of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
- State Licensure: Licensure or registration in the state of employment (requirements may vary)
- Background Check: Required background screening and up-to-date immunization records for clinical settings
A certified occupational therapy assistant job description should highlight these credentials and any preferred experience (such as in pediatric or geriatric care, rehabilitation, or home health). Clear requirements help streamline the candidate screening process.
Essential Skills and Competencies for OTAs
Successful occupational therapy assistants possess a blend of technical and interpersonal skills, including:
- Effective Communication: Proficient in interacting with patients, families, and care teams across various age groups
- Flexibility and Problem-Solving: Ability to adjust interventions based on patients’ responses and provide creative solutions to challenges
- Empathy and Patience: Essential for supporting clients through often difficult or frustrating therapy processes
- Attention to Detail: Critical for accurate documentation and maintaining high standards of care (SHRM, 2022)
- Physical Stamina: Ability to assist with patient mobility and positioning in clinical environments
- Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) and therapy-specific software
By listing these competencies in your occupational therapy assistant job description, you ensure applicants understand the core expectations and can assess their own suitability for the role.
Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Description Specifics
A pediatric occupational therapy assistant job description should emphasize expertise specific to supporting children and adolescents. Key attributes include:
- Understanding Developmental Milestones: Familiarity with typical childhood development and recognition of delays or disorders
- Use of Play-Based Therapy: Proficiency in engaging children with age-appropriate therapeutic games, crafts, and sensory activities (Case-Smith & O'Brien, 2020)
- Behavior Management Skills: Knowledge of strategies for working with children with behavioral or sensory processing challenges
- Family and Community Engagement: Ability to coach caregivers and educators to reinforce therapeutic goals in the home or classroom
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Experience working alongside teachers and support staff in educational settings
Incorporating these elements into the pediatric occupational therapy assistant job description will help attract candidates who are passionate and skilled in working with young clients.
What is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant?
A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is an individual who has:
- Met education requirements through an accredited OTA program
- Passed the NBCOT national certification examination
- Committed to ongoing professional development and adherence to evidence-based OT practices
- Maintained licensure as required by their state
The certified occupational therapy assistant job description should make certification a minimum requirement. HR professionals are encouraged to specify any state-specific licensure and continuing education mandates to ensure regulatory compliance (AOTA, 2022).
Work Environments and Reporting Structure
Occupational therapy assistants can work in a wide variety of environments, such as:
- Hospitals and acute care facilities
- Outpatient rehabilitation centers
- Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
- Schools and early intervention programs
- Private clinics and home health agencies
Each setting may influence scheduling, reporting, and the day-to-day responsibilities in the occupational therapy assistant job description. Generally, OTAs report to an occupational therapist and may be part of interdisciplinary care teams including physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and social workers.
Clearly specifying the primary work environment and supervisory structure in your job description helps candidates anticipate workplace expectations.
Best Practices for Writing a Job Description for Occupational Therapy Assistant Roles
When composing job descriptions for OTAs, HR professionals should:
- Use Inclusive Language: Ensure descriptions are gender-neutral and accessible.
- Clearly Define Required and Preferred Qualifications: Separate non-negotiable credentials from desirable attributes.
- Highlight Organizational Culture: Emphasize values such as patient-centered care, professional development, and diversity.
- Integrate Relevant SEO Keywords: Embed terms like "occupational therapy assistant job description," "pediatric occupational therapy assistant job description," and "certified occupational therapy assistant job description" seamlessly into the narrative.
- Describe Physical and Environmental Demands: Be transparent about job-specific requirements (in compliance with ADA standards).
- Promote Diversity and Accessibility: State your dedication to equal opportunity employment.
Sample Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Description:
Overview
Join our rehabilitation team as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, supporting licensed occupational therapists in delivering personalized therapy, documenting patient outcomes, and encouraging independence.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with therapeutic interventions under the supervision of an occupational therapist
- Monitor and document patient progress
- Educate individuals and their support networks about therapeutic strategies
- Maintain equipment and clinical spaces in a safe, hygienic manner
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary care teams
Qualifications:
- Associate degree from an accredited OTA program
- Current NBCOT certification (COTA)
- State licensure as applicable
- Experience with specific populations (e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics) preferred
Skills:
- Compassionate communication
- Ability to use EHR and related technology
- Physical capability to support mobility and patient care
Work Environment:
Specify setting (hospital, outpatient, school-based, etc.)
Supervision:
Reports to Occupational Therapist and collaborates with broader healthcare team
Implementing these best practices ensures your OTA job descriptions are both strongly compliant and attractive to top-tier talent.
Conclusion
In today’s competitive healthcare landscape, a clear and thorough occupational therapy assistant job description is fundamental for attracting certified, skilled, and compassionate candidates. As OTA roles diversify across developing care settings, investing time in well-structured job postings will translate to better talent acquisition and, ultimately, improved patient outcomes.
Leverage these strategies, insights, and templates as you build roles within rehabilitation, pediatric, acute care, or community settings. By specifying requirements and showcasing your workplace culture, you can distinguish your organization as an employer of choice in occupational therapy.
Start Crafting Your Job Description Today
Ready to streamline your OT assistant hiring? Explore practical resources and build effective OTA job descriptions with our
Start Crafting Your Job Description Today
References
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2022). Occupational therapy assistants and aides. https://www.aota.org/career/career-environments/ota
Case-Smith, J., & O'Brien, J. C. (2020). Occupational therapy for children and adolescents (8th ed.). Mosby.
Society for Human Resource Management. (2022). How to develop a job description. https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/how-to-guides/pages/how-to-develop-a-job-description.aspx
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Occupational therapy assistants and aides: Occupational outlook handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm
About Nguyen Thuy Nguyen
Part-time sociology, fulltime tech enthusiast