.:: ELIM OUTREACH TRAINING CENTER ::.

Occupational Therapy Aide

The goal of the Occupational therapy aide is to serve as a helpful member of the occupational therapy team whose responsibilities are supervised by the therapist or assistant. No licensure is required for the occupational therapy aide at this time.

Occupational therapist aide perform a variety of functions that may include:

1. Help clients with billing and insurance forms

2. Prepare treatment areas, such as setting up equipment

3. Perform clerical tasks, including scheduling appointment and answering telephones

4. Help patients move to and from treatment areas

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this program, the graduate will be able to:

Explain the role of the occupational therapy
Define the goal of occupational therapy
Understand the basic medical terminology used in occupational therapy
Identify several types of activities used in occupational therapy
Describe major factors of federal legislation that have influenced the practice of occupational therapy.
Describe Activities of Daily Livings
Describe the accreditation process for the OT educational programs
State activities terms of areas of performances such as: performances skills, performances patterns, and client factors
Explain infection control and safety issues in the clinical setting.
Describe eating and swallowing process as it relates to occupational therapy
Describe how treatment setting influences the focus of OT intervention
State the difference between preparatory, purposeful, simulated, and occupational-based activity.
Define and state the goal of therapeutic exercise
Explain the skills needed for a therapeutic relationship
State how to assist clients with self-care treatments
Prepare and maintain work area, material, equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
Assist occupational therapist in planning, implementing and administering therapy program to restore, reinforces and enhance performances, using selected activities and special equipment
Describe hand and upper extremities injuries and their treatments.
Define orthotic and identify basic hand anatomy.

Requirements. Click to view

Placement Exam: 9th grade reading and math levels
High school diploma or equivalent
Fine motor coordination: good manual dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination
Must display flexibility and accept constructive criticism.
Physical Exam
Ability to stand for extended periods of time
Criminal background check

Certificate of completion will be issued when the student has completed the following:

Completed up to 80 clock hours
Completed up to 40 clock hours of clinical
Pass the course with an 80% or better.
Participate in all simulated laboratory sessions
His or her financial obligations are satisfied

Duties of Occupational Therapy Aides Click to view

Occupational therapy aides work under the supervision of occupational therapist and the oppositional therapist assistant. They provide rehabilitative services to person with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments. The ultimate goal is to improve clients’ quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
Occupational therapy aides will prepare materials and assemble equipment used during treatment. They are responsible for a range of clerical tasks, including scheduling appointments, answering phones, restocking or ordering supplies, filling out insurances forms and other paper work.
Occupational therapy aides work in OT offices, hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and rehabilitation centers.

Employment Outlook. Click to view

Demand for Occupational therapy is expected to rise significantly over the coming decade in respond to the health needs of the aging baby-boomer generation and a growing elderly population.