If you feel good about helping others, you may want to ponder your career in the healthcare system—the zone of healthcare that gives you access to hands-on patient care in occupational therapy. Therapeutic Resource is a U.S. company that offers early intervention COTA jobs to candidates. According to Federal Statistics, the need for occupational therapy assistants (COTA jobs) has increased by 43% between 2010 and 2020. New graduates should expect sufficient work opportunities as this field is expanding faster than average. Working as an occupational therapy assistant will naturally provide you with the skills and initial education you need in the career path to becoming a certified occupational therapist assistant. COTA jobs are required to help with developing and executing treatment plans. Managing activity programs and keeping records of patients’ progress in COTA jobs are also mandatory.
How to qualify for a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant?
You can decide to advance your education; after getting it, you may find COTA jobs effortlessly. If you are interest in COTA jobs, you need to know what each school offers so that you can take any mandatory licensing exams. The programs usually provide remote coursework or weekend classes and match your needs. It would be best if you kept in mind that not all states offer flexible schedules.
1. Completion of a COTA program
The first phase of becoming an occupational therapy assistant is registering in a qualified program. Once you complete the program, you can qualify for the licensing exam. This two-year associate degree should be accredite by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
2. Complete fieldwork
As linked with your degree program, you will complete clinical experience where you will work with endurance under the supervision of an occupational therapist. The state you live in and the school you attend will regulate how much experience you need, but it usually ranges from two months to one year.
3. Take the National Certification Exam
The next phase is to take the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam. This exam will qualify you to work throughout the U.S. You will take the test online, pay a fee, and provide your transcriptions proving you have graduated from an accredited school.
4. Apply for your state license:
You will also need to get the license in the state where you plan to work. However, not all states have the exact licensing requirements, so you need to check with your licensing board for its Occupational Therapy Assistant license requirements.
Requirements for COTA Jobs
COTA jobs only offer an associate’s degree in occupational therapy, while an OT (Occupational Therapist) has at least a master’s degree or a Ph.D. Primarily, it might look like an O.T. is better prepare to handle direct patient treatment than a COTA. They have more education, after all. However, COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) and OT (Occupational Therapist) focus on the same amount of patient dealings. Furthermore, an O.T. will also learn techniques for assessment, billing practices, supervision, and the theory that makes the difference between a COTA job and occupational therapy work.
