Online OTA Blog

Occupational Therapy Assistant: A Job Helping People

Occupational therapy, a field that many people have never heard of, is finally getting its time in the spotlight. Specifically, occupational therapy assisting is making headlines for being a meaningful career. The U.S. News and World Report released their 100 Best Jobs of 2016 and both occupational therapy assisting and occupational therapists made the list!

But it doesn’t stop there. In addition to being ranked on U.S. News and World Report, Business Insider also listed occupational therapists as the 11th most meaningful job in America. Why? Because at its core, occupational therapy is a job that helps people. We talked with St. Catherine University faculty members and OTA graduates about a time when they knew that they’d made an impact on a client’s life – their responses are breath taking.

OTA Fieldwork Spotlight: Mona’s Ark

A common misconception is that St. Catherine University’s online occupational therapy assistant program is 100% online – it’s not. You can’t learn how to be an OTA without putting what you’ve learned to action. How? With OTA fieldwork. Our students complete over 700 hours of OTA fieldwork in the field and get to experience a wide variety of occupational therapy practice areas. While most students do fieldwork in clinics, assisted nursing facilities, and schools, one of our students recently completed fieldwork at a unique place – Mona’s Ark.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Career Explained

Occupational therapy is one of the medical field’s best kept secrets. It’s a promising and flexible career that allows you to be creative, hands-on, and innovative. You’re probably wondering, “What exactly does this career entail?” Glad you asked!

What to Expect from a Career in OTA

You want to work in healthcare and you are thinking about becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant, but you’re not sure it’s the right path for you. Well, if you really want to work with people instead of spending your days pushing paper and if you’re a creative person who loves helping others, then becoming at OTA could be the right fit for you. But it’s best to start at the beginning to explain exactly what to expect from a career in OTA.

Meet the Faces Behind Our Online OTA Program Success

Our university has paved the way in occupational therapy (OT) education, having launched the first Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program in the United States in 1964. Today, we remain an education leader via our 16-month Online Occupational Therapy Assistant program in California and Virginia.

Blending online coursework with hands-on skills labs and fieldwork, our OTA program comprises top-notch, passionate faculty who are instrumental in shaping the future of occupational therapy and ensuring our students are successful in their future careers.

Occupational Therapy is a Career Like Physical Therapy

Do you have a desire to help others live life to the fullest, but you also need a job that can fit your lifestyle? If you’re looking for a career like physical therapy, you might consider a career in occupational therapy as an occupational therapy assistant.

Often confused with physical therapy, occupational therapy aims to help clients, what patients are called in OT, learn to work with their limitations and perform everyday tasks more independently. The main difference between physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) is that PT treats the injury and OT treats the whole person.

OT Month Shout-out: 6 Ways Occupational Therapy Changes Lives

While occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants make a difference 365 days a year, the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. uses April, which they designated OT Month in 1980, to celebrate the vitally important roles these professionals play in society.

Flexible Medical Careers: How OTA Compares to ADN

Finding the perfect flexible medical career can be tough. How do you know which career path will be right for you? If you’re looking to break into the health care field, you may not know which associate degree program will best fit into your busy life. Should you pursue an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) degree? Take a look at how OTA compares to ADN.

Benefits of Being an Occupational Therapist: Feeling Joy in My Career

Sometimes, the dream career isn’t what you expected it to be. It could be because you aren’t happy in a setting, or you are having difficulty with the work environment. But that doesn’t mean you made the wrong career choice completely.

Nikki, our OT guest blogger, shares how changing jobs made her realize she made the right call in pursuing a career in the occupational therapy field, and how she feels validated in her decision. To her, the benefits of being an occupational therapist are all about growth and opportunity, low-stress, and great work-life balance.

Occupational Therapy Assistant is #1 Health Care Support Career

According to US News & World Report’s 2016 Best Health Care Support Jobs list, occupational therapy assistant is the number one career choice for those looking to start their health care career.

Several criteria go into the US News and World Report’s decision. Among them are job growth and opportunity, salary, work-life balance, and stress levels.