Occupational Therapy Aide
Other Titles
Direct Support Staff, Occupational Therapy Technician (OT Tech), Rehabilitation Aide (Rehab Aide), Rehabilitation Services Aide, Rehabilitation Technician (Rehab Tech), Restorative Aide, Restorative Coordinator
Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.
Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals.
Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments.
Supervise patients in choosing and completing work assignments or arts and crafts projects.
Manage intradepartmental infection control and equipment security.
Evaluate the living skills and capacities of physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled clients.
Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
Instruct patients and families in work, social, and living skills, the care and use of adaptive equipment, and other skills to facilitate home and work adjustment to disability.
Assist occupational therapists in planning, implementing, and administering therapy programs to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, using selected activities and special equipment.
Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual and creative arts and games.
Adjust and repair assistive devices and make adaptive changes to other equipment and to environments.
Perform clerical, administrative, and secretarial duties, such as answering phones, restocking and ordering supplies, filling out paperwork, and scheduling appointments.
Assist educational specialists or clinical psychologists in administering situational or diagnostic tests to measure client's abilities or progress.
Accompany patients on outings, providing transportation when necessary.
Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Service Orientation→ Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness→ Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Instructing→ Teaching others how to do something.
Learning Strategies→ Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Persuasion→ Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Assisting and Caring for Others→ Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public→ Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Performing General Physical Activities→ Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People→ Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Handling and Moving Objects→ Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Developing and Building Teams→ Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others→ Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Coaching and Developing Others→ Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information→ Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material→ Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Scheduling Work and Activities→ Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Maintain medical records.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Record vital statistics or other health information.
Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
Communicate patient status to other health practitioners.
Prepare medical reports or documents.
Engage patients in exercises or activities.
Administer screening tests to determine abilities or treatment needs.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
Move patients to or from treatment areas.
Prepare patient treatment areas for use.
Teach basic living or other adaptive skills to patients or caregivers.
Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.
Teach medical procedures to healthcare personnel.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Stock medical or patient care supplies.
Accompany patients or clients on outings to provide assistance.
Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity→ The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Finger Dexterity→ The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Static Strength→ The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Psychology→ Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Therapy and Counseling→ Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Public Safety and Security→ Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Education and Training→ Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Accounting software -- Billing software
Calendar and scheduling software -- Scheduling software; Acuity Scheduling
Database user interface and query software -- Data entry software; Microsoft Access
Medical software -- Electronic medical record EMR software; Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS; Medical procedure coding software; OpenMRS; Healthbridge; Evolve Medical; GoodX; athenaClinicals; Epic Systems; MEDITECH software
Office suite software -- e.g., Corel WordPerfect Office; Microsoft Office; Google Workspace
Presentation software -- e.g., Google Slides; Corel Presentations; Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Corel Quattro Pro; Microsoft Excel; Google Sheets
Word processing software -- e.g., Corel Wordperfect; Microsoft Word; Google Docs
Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged→ Augmentative communication systems
Awls→ Punching awls
Balance beams or boards or bolsters or rockers for rehabilitation or therapy→ Scooter boards
Bead accessories→ Beading needles
Braille devices for the physically challenged→ Braille writers
Canes or cane accessories→ Canes
Crochet hooks
Crutches or crutch accessories→ Crutches
Cutlery or utensils for the physically challenged→ Adaptive cutlery
Desktop computers
Domestic sewing machines→ Sewing machines
Dressing sticks for the physically challenged→ Dressing sticks
Gait belts for rehabilitation or therapy→ Transfer belts
Hand sewing needles→ Knitting needles
Lacing or stringing accessories→ Lacing needles
Leather accessories→ Leather scissors; Rotary punches
Letter or symbol boards for the physically challenged→ Communication boards
Mallets→ Rawhide mallets
Orthopedic splint systems→ Orthopedic splints
Personal computers
Photocopiers
Power sanders→ Power hand sanders
Rasps
Reachers for the physically challenged→ Reachers
Rivet tools→ Rivet setters
Saws→ Multi-purpose saw sets
Sewing needles
Special purpose telephones→ Multi-line telephone systems
Therapeutic balls or accessories→ Therapeutic balls
Training ramps for rehabilitation or therapy→ Rehabilitation training ramps
Walkers or rollators→ Wheeled walkers
Weaving accessories→ Latch hooks
Weights or sets or accessories for rehabilitation or therapy→ Hand weights
Wheelchairs
Wood chisels
Social→ Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.
Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Relationships→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Achievement→ Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.