While there are many similarities, the types of patients, treatments, skills, and duties of an OTA vs PTA have many differences. Learning the key differences in these occupations can help you make an informed career choice today. Explore St. Kate’s OTA program to learn more.
If you’re passionate about helping and caring for others or making an impact in people’s lives, then a career in health care might be for you. The medical field has a large range of different roles involved to adequately meet patient needs. In the allied health care field, both occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) play important roles in supporting patients on their path to recovery and improved quality of life. While these professions share some similarities, they also have distinct differences in terms of their focus, duties, and patient interactions. But what is the difference between OTA and PTA careers, and is OTA or PTA school harder?
If you’re considering a career in rehabilitation therapy, understanding these key differences can help you decide which path is right for you. And for those with an interest in the occupational therapy assistant career path, St. Catherine’s 16 month Occupational Therapy Assistant program offers an accelerated path into this career field. In this post, we will elaborate on the PTA vs. OTA career paths, and explore four of the main differences between them.
What Is an OTA?
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) work with occupational therapists to help patients regain or develop the skills needed for everyday living and working. OTAs assist patients of all ages with various physical, developmental, or emotional challenges to improve their independence and ability to perform daily tasks. They work to help patients develop, recover, improve and maintain a patient’s daily skills needed for living and working. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for OTAs was $65,450 per year in 2023. It is also predicted that the field will grow by 23% by 2032, which is above average for all occupations.
What Is a PTA?
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work with physical therapists to implement treatment plans designed to restore mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities in patients. PTAs typically work with individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries, as well as those managing chronic conditions affecting movement. They help their patients to regain movement and mitigate pain. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for PTAs was $58,740 per year in 2023. They also predict the field to grow by 19% in the years between 2022 and 2032, which is higher than average for all occupations. They work together with a patient to implement a care plan that will put them on the path to recovery. Now, with these career overviews in mind, let’s look into four of the main differences between them.
1. Different Patient Populations
The first main difference between an OTA vs PTA is the type of patients they work with. They both work with a wide range of patients. OTAs primarily work with individuals who have challenges affecting their ability to perform daily activities due to physical, mental, or developmental issues. This can include children with learning disabilities, adults recovering from strokes, or elderly patients coping with arthritis.
PTAs focus on patients with musculoskeletal or neuromuscular conditions, such as individuals recovering from joint replacements, athletes rehabilitating from sports injuries, or those with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Both OTAs and PTAs work with patients who are in pain, and it takes a lot of compassion, interpersonal skills, and hard work to care for them.
2. Different Treatments
OTAs implement therapeutic interventions focused on improving fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and sensory processing through activities like energy conservation techniques, individualized strategies developed using task analysis, adaptive equipment training, and environmental modifications. This is to help patients complete their everyday tasks to improve their quality of life and live independently. They constantly observe and work with their patient and make any adjustments to their care plan as needed.
PTAs administer treatments aimed at restoring physical function, mobility, and pain relief, utilizing techniques such as therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation. This is to help patients recover from injury and regain mobility. They assist patients with different exercises, stretching, and other techniques.
3. Different Skills
OTAs excel in creating customized treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs. They emphasize functional outcomes and adaptive strategies to help patients gain independence. They use interpersonal skills, compassion, stamina, critical thinking, and problem-solving in their daily work.
PTAs, on the other hand, possess strong manual therapy skills and specialize in techniques to restore mobility, improve gait, and increase strength and flexibility. This is done through targeted exercises and hands-on interventions. PTAs have similar skills to OTAs, such as interpersonal skills, compassion, and stamina, they also often share basic life support, CPR, and other first aid skills.
4. Different Duties
OTAs engage in holistic patient care, focusing on activities of daily living (ADLs), home management, work reintegration, and leisure participation. They also adjust treatment plans as needed. They might also perform observational or administrative tasks when needed. OTAs follow the treatment plan and help their patient to complete their daily tasks. They often work alongside occupational therapists to implement or modify patient treatment, as well as train the patient and caregiver on self-care techniques.
PTAs concentrate on physical rehabilitation, implementing treatment protocols, documenting progress, and providing education to patients on injury prevention and self-care techniques. They also follow their patient’s treatment plan, helping them through exercises and other movements. They also prepare treatment areas such as setting up equipment. PTAs might also complete administrative tasks as needed. They often work with physical therapists to implement or make modifications to treatment plans.
Which Is Right for You?
Choosing between becoming an OTA or PTA depends on your professional interests, preferred patient population, and career goals. If you’re passionate about helping individuals of all ages achieve greater independence in daily life activities, pursuing a career as an OTA may align well with your aspirations. Conversely, if you work best in a hands-on clinical setting and enjoy working with patients recovering from orthopedic or neurological conditions, becoming a PTA could be the ideal path for you.
Earn Your OTA Degree from St. Catherine in as Few as 16 Months
We hope you now have a more thorough background on the career differences between occupational therapy assistant vs. physical therapy assistant. If you’re ready to embark on a rewarding career as an occupational therapy assistant, St. Catherine University offers an accelerated OTA program designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this dynamic field. Our comprehensive curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences prepare graduates to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Contact us to learn more about our OTA program and start your journey toward a fulfilling career in health care today.
