Occupational Therapy Aides

Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.

SOC: 31-2012.00

Common Job Titles

Occupational Therapy Aide (OT Aide)Rehabilitation Aide (Rehab Aide)Rehabilitation Services AideRestorative Aide

What You'll Need to Succeed

AI-generated

Key competencies for this occupation at a glance

  • Hands-onPrepare treatment rooms and therapeutic equipment following occupational therapist protocols and infection control standards.
  • MindsetEngage patients during therapy sessions demonstrating respect and empathy under close supervision.
  • Hands-onPerform delegated routine patient care tasks in clinical settings under direct supervision of occupational therapists or assistants.
  • KnowledgeIdentify patient needs and treatment room supply requirements by observing patient behaviors and monitoring inventory levels.
  • Hands-onHandle adaptive equipment and assistive devices such as wheelchairs, transfer belts, and therapeutic balls during patient care.
  • KnowledgeExplain basic therapy procedures and activity instructions to patients using clear communication under therapist guidance.
  • Hands-onOperate computers and electronic medical record systems to document patient information and schedule appointments.
  • KnowledgeDistinguish appropriate therapeutic materials and tools for specific delegated tasks based on therapist instructions.
  • MindsetParticipate in interpersonal interactions with healthcare team members by communicating patient observations and maintaining professional relationships.
  • MindsetAttend to patient safety and comfort concerns while assisting with therapeutic activities and mobility.
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Occupational Therapy Aides (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

5,000

Wage Distribution by Percentile

MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$27,970
10% of workers earn the following or more$65,580
Workers on average earn$41,850

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Therapy and Counseling4.4/5
  • English Language4.2/5
  • Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
  • Psychology3.8/5
  • Computers and Electronics3.7/5
Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

MEDITECH softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word

Technology Skills

Billing softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareScheduling softwareWord processing software

Tools & Equipment

Adaptive cutleryAugmentative communication systemsBeading needlesBraille writersCanesCommunication boardsCrochet hooksCrutches