occupational therapy assistant

What the work can involve

Occupational therapy assistants work close to daily activity and rehabilitation goals. They support exercises, adapted equipment, safe movement and patient confidence under an occupational therapist’s direction.

Skills and specializations

Important skills include occupational therapy techniques, activity analysis, healthcare communication, therapeutic relationships, ergonomics, hygiene, movement techniques, progress records and work in multidisciplinary health teams.

Salary context

Salary context depends on supervision level, patient group, rehabilitation setting, equipment responsibility, documentation duties, emergency readiness and whether the role supports individual programmes or group activities.

Career paths

Career paths can grow from assistant work into broader rehabilitation support, specialist equipment guidance, activity programme coordination, team lead duties or further study toward regulated therapy roles where applicable.

Good to know

Check which users and activities the vacancy names. A precise advert states supervision, treatment setting, equipment, record keeping and whether work focuses on autonomy, stroke recovery or daily routines.

Editorial note

This guide is editorial career context, not official labour-market statistics or role-specific pay data.

Alternative labels

Occupation group

Health professionals not elsewhere classified (2269)

Source facts