What does an Occupational Therapy Assistant do?

Occupational Therapy Assistants work alongside Occupational Therapists as they treat patients with limited mobility. An Occupational Therapy Assistant closely records the treatments for patients, often coordinating occupational therapy with other types of therapeutic activities within a hospital or rehabilitation centre. They may also work in a patient’s home, helping them with exercise programmes and using appropriate equipment.

Occupational Therapy Assistant skills and qualifications

A successful Occupational Therapy Assistant candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications such as excellent communication skills and medical knowledge to explain the benefits of specific exercises and treatments to their patients. Physical fitness and strength for supporting patients and emotional intelligence for providing a supportive environment. Other essential skills include:

• Flexibility and openness to change
• The ability to work well within a team
• Active listening skills for counselling patients
• Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Sensitivity and understanding
• The ability to interpret complex written and verbal instructions

Occupational Therapy Assistant experience requirements

The ideal candidates have a general knowledge of the principles, methods and equipment used in occupational therapy. Some employers advertise an entry-level position with little to no work experience required. In such cases, the applicants should still have some voluntary experience in a healthcare setting, or a caring role with elderly people or people with physical disabilities or learning difficulties. However, most employers prefer candidates with a few years of experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Healthcare Assistant or other healthcare-related position.

Occupational Therapy Assistant education and training requirements

An Occupational Therapy Assistant typically needs to complete one of the following courses—a Level 2 Certificate in Work Preparation for Health and Social Care, a Level 2 Diploma in Health or Social Care or a Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care. Most of these courses include work placement as part of the course work, which is a good way for candidates to gain experience.

Employers can sometimes accept work experience instead of formal education. So, candidates who have started as a Healthcare Assistant which only requires a few GCSEs and received on-the-job training for the role of an Occupational Therapy Assistant can also apply.

Occupational Therapy Assistant salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the UK is £20,097 per year. Salary is usually dependent on experience, location and company.

Job description samples for similar positions

There are job description samples that are similar to an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Related positions include:

• Occupational Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist