2 answers
Madilyn
Student
Pierre, South Dakota
5
Questions
Asked
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What would I do as an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
#occupational-therapy #therapy #medicine
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2 answers
Stephanie Chervin
Academic Advisor and Pre-med Advisor at the University of Michigan
7
Answers
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Dr. Frank's answer is excellent! I would add that my favorite website that helps students explore potential careers in health care is: https://explorehealthcareers.org/
There you will find comprehensive information about the pathways to dozens of health care fields, Occupational Therapy among them.
There you will find comprehensive information about the pathways to dozens of health care fields, Occupational Therapy among them.
Dr. Frank Akawi, BS, DVM, MS, MBA, PhD, CVA, CCRT
Veterinarian
59
Answers
Bradenton, Florida
Updated
Dr. Frank’s Answer
Occupational therapy assistants typically do the following: Help patients do therapeutic activities, such as stretches and other exercises. Lead children who have developmental disabilities in play activities that promote coordination and socialization. Encourage patients to complete activities and tasks.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Responsibilities:
Helps occupational therapy clients by providing rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments.
Provides services under the direction of licensed occupational therapist.
Verifies client information by interviewing client, reviewing and recording medical history, confirming purpose of treatment.
Helps clients improve their quality of life by helping them compensate for limitations, such as, helping injured workers improve their motor skills and re-enter the labor force, and teaching persons with learning disabilities to prepare meals or to use public transportation and increase their independence.
Follows treatment plan developed in collaboration with occupational therapist by teaching techniques, such as, the proper method of moving from a bed into a wheelchair, and the best ways to stretch and limber muscles.
Monitors activities to make sure they are performed correctly and provides encouragement, bringing treatment that is not having the intended effect to the attention of the therapist.
Maintains patient occupational therapy records by recording client’s progress for use by the occupational therapist.
Generates revenues by recording billing information of services rendered.
Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing, following, and enforcing standards and procedures and complying with legal regulations.
Keeps supplies ready by inventorying stock, placing orders, and verifying receipt.
Keeps equipment operating by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and calling for repairs.
Serves and protects the occupational therapy practice by adhering to professional standards, policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards.
Enhances occupational therapy practice reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests and exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Responsibilities:
Helps occupational therapy clients by providing rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments.
Provides services under the direction of licensed occupational therapist.
Verifies client information by interviewing client, reviewing and recording medical history, confirming purpose of treatment.
Helps clients improve their quality of life by helping them compensate for limitations, such as, helping injured workers improve their motor skills and re-enter the labor force, and teaching persons with learning disabilities to prepare meals or to use public transportation and increase their independence.
Follows treatment plan developed in collaboration with occupational therapist by teaching techniques, such as, the proper method of moving from a bed into a wheelchair, and the best ways to stretch and limber muscles.
Monitors activities to make sure they are performed correctly and provides encouragement, bringing treatment that is not having the intended effect to the attention of the therapist.
Maintains patient occupational therapy records by recording client’s progress for use by the occupational therapist.
Generates revenues by recording billing information of services rendered.
Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing, following, and enforcing standards and procedures and complying with legal regulations.
Keeps supplies ready by inventorying stock, placing orders, and verifying receipt.
Keeps equipment operating by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and calling for repairs.
Serves and protects the occupational therapy practice by adhering to professional standards, policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards.
Enhances occupational therapy practice reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests and exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.