Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Occupational Therapy Assistant
What occupational therapy assistants actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an occupational therapy assistant?
Review the OT’s plans. From there, the day usually includes lead therapy activities, teach daily living skills, and train on adaptive equipment. Most work full-time days.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an occupational therapy assistant working full time.
- Review the OT’s plans.
- Practice dressing with a stroke patient.
- Run a hand strength session.
- Teach a patient to use a reacher.
- Work with a child on handwriting.
- Practice kitchen safety.
- Write notes.
Where occupational therapy assistants work
OTAs work in hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, schools and home health.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time days.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Lead therapy activities
- Teach daily living skills
- Train on adaptive equipment
- Help children with fine motor skills
- Track and report progress
- Prepare treatment areas
- Educate families
Tools you’ll use every day
- Adaptive equipment
- Therapy putty and fine motor kits
- Mobility aids
- Kitchen practice areas
- Splints
- Electronic records
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Much faster-than-average growth
- Two-year degree
- Meaningful progress
- Good pay for an associate degree
What’s hard
- Physical demands
- Productivity targets
- Documentation
- Licensing exam
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I want to help people regain independence
- I’m creative
- I like hands-on work
- I want a two-year degree
- I’m patient
- I like teamwork
Not sure? Take the free Occupational Therapy Assistant fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Guard during transfers
- Follow infection control
- Use body mechanics
- Check splint fit