Mississippi In Demand Career Highlight: Occupational Therapy Assistant

Get2College

30 Nov 202202:27

Summary

TLDRTalisha Davis, a certified occupational therapist assistant (COTA), shares her passion for helping patients improve their daily living skills. She was inspired by her great-grandmother's experience with dementia and the therapies she received. Talisha encourages aspiring COTAs to complete a two-year degree and certification exam, highlighting various specializations and the potential to work with diverse age groups. She emphasizes the rewarding nature of the job, which typically involves working with 6-10 patients daily in settings like hospitals and home health, with an average salary of $60,710 per year.

Takeaways

🌟 Talisha Davis is a certified occupational therapist assistant (OTA).
🔑 The role of an OTA is to help patients develop, recover, and maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.
👵 Talisha's interest in occupational therapy was sparked by her great-grandmother's experience with dementia and the decline in her independence.
🏫 To become an OTA, one must complete a two-year degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program.
📝 After degree completion, one must pass a national certification exam to become a certified OTA, also known as a COTA.
🤝 There are specialized certifications available, such as certified hand therapy, for those interested in specific areas of occupational therapy.
🕗 The average workweek for a COTA is 40 hours, with some home health workers having more flexible schedules.
💰 The average salary for a COTA is $60,710 per year across the state.
📈 COTAs typically see between six to ten patients a day, with sessions ranging from 15 minutes to 60 minutes.
🏥 Occupational therapy assistants can work in various settings including hospitals, rehab facilities, nursing homes, therapy clinics, home health, and pediatric settings.
👶👵 COTAs work with a wide range of ages, from children to the elderly.
🎓 High school students interested in this career path are advised to take as many prerequisites as possible to get a head start and save on costs.
💖 Talisha loves her job and finds it fulfilling, which has given her a different perspective on life, teaching her patience and empathy.

Q & A

What is Talisha Davis's profession?
-Talisha Davis is a certified occupational therapist assistant.
What role do occupational therapy assistants play in patient care?
-Occupational therapy assistants help patients develop, recover, improve, and maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.
What personal experience influenced Talisha Davis's career choice?
-Talisha Davis's interest in occupational therapy was sparked by her great-grandmother's experience with dementia and the decline in her independence, which required occupational and physical therapy.
What is the educational requirement to become an occupational therapy assistant?
-To become an occupational therapy assistant, one must complete a two-year degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program.
What certification exam must be taken after completing the educational program?
-After completing the educational program, one must take a national certification exam to become a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA).
Are there any specialized certifications available for COTAs?
-Yes, there are specialized certifications available, such as certified hand therapy, which focuses mainly on the hands.
What is the average weekly work schedule for a COTA?
-Most COTAs work a total of 40 hours a week.
How flexible are the schedules for COTAs working in home health?
-COTAs working in home health may have more flexible schedules compared to those working in other settings.
What is the average salary for a COTA across the state according to the script?
-The average salary for a COTA across the state is sixty thousand seven hundred ten dollars per year.
How many patients does Talisha Davis typically see in a day?
-Talisha Davis typically sees between six to ten patients a day.
What is the range of time Talisha Davis spends with each patient?
-The longest amount of time Talisha Davis spends with a person is 60 minutes, and the shortest is 15 minutes.
In which settings can COTAs find work opportunities?
-COTAs can find work opportunities in hospitals, rehab facilities, nursing homes, therapy clinics, home health, and pediatric settings.
What advice does Talisha Davis give to those considering this career path straight out of high school?
-Talisha Davis advises getting as many prerequisites as possible in high school to get a head start and save money.
What personal growth has Talisha Davis experienced in her career as a COTA?
-Talisha Davis has experienced personal growth in patience and empathy through her career as a COTA.
What is Talisha Davis's perspective on pursuing a career in occupational therapy assistance?
-Talisha Davis encourages pursuing a career in occupational therapy assistance if it is something one truly wants to do, as it has given her a different perspective on life.

Outlines

00:00

🤗 Introduction to Occupational Therapy Assistant Career

Talisha Davis, a certified occupational therapist assistant (OTA), introduces the profession, explaining that OTAs help patients develop, recover, and maintain skills for daily life and work. She shares her personal motivation for entering the field, inspired by her great-grandmother's experience with dementia and the subsequent need for occupational and physical therapy. Talisha outlines the educational path to become a certified OTA, which includes completing a two-year degree from an accredited program and passing a national certification exam. She also mentions additional certifications like certified hand therapy and discusses the typical work schedule, salary, and patient interaction times.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Certified Occupational Therapist

A Certified Occupational Therapist is a healthcare professional who has completed an accredited occupational therapy program and passed a national certification exam. In the video, Talisha Davis mentions being a certified occupational therapist, emphasizing the importance of this certification for those who want to help patients develop, recover, and maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.

💡Occupational Therapy Assistant

An Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) is a professional who works under the supervision of an occupational therapist to help patients improve their ability to perform daily activities. The video script highlights the role of OTAs and the process of becoming one, which includes completing a two-year degree and passing a national certification exam.

💡Daily Living Skills

Daily living skills refer to the basic tasks that individuals perform in their everyday lives, such as eating, dressing, and personal hygiene. The video discusses how occupational therapy assistants help patients develop and maintain these skills, which is central to the theme of improving patients' quality of life.

💡Dementia

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms indicating a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. In the script, Talisha Davis shares a personal story about her great-grandmother's dementia, illustrating the impact of the condition on independence and the role of occupational therapy in supporting such patients.

💡Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty focused on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with conditions that limit their physical abilities. The video mentions physical therapy in the context of supporting patients like Talisha's great-grandmother, indicating the interdisciplinary nature of healthcare services.

💡National Certification Exam

The National Certification Exam is a test that occupational therapy assistants must pass to become certified and legally practice in the United States. The script emphasizes the importance of this exam for those pursuing a career as an OTA.

💡Certified Hand Therapy

Certified Hand Therapy (CHT) is a specialized certification for occupational therapists and OTAs who focus on the rehabilitation of the hand and upper extremity. The video script mentions this as an example of specialized certifications that can be pursued within the field of occupational therapy.

💡Work Schedule

The work schedule of an occupational therapy assistant is typically 40 hours a week, as mentioned in the script. Some may have more flexible schedules, especially those working in home health. This information provides insight into the typical working conditions and expectations for those in the profession.

💡Average Salary

The average salary for an occupational therapy assistant is stated as sixty thousand seven hundred ten dollars per year in the video. This figure gives potential candidates an idea of the financial rewards associated with this career.

💡Patient Interaction

The script provides insight into the typical patient interaction for an OTA, mentioning that they may see between six to ten patients a day, with sessions ranging from 15 minutes to 60 minutes. This highlights the dynamic and varied nature of the work.

💡Career Path

The career path for an occupational therapy assistant is discussed in the video, including the suggestion to take prerequisite courses in high school to get a head start. This advice is part of the broader message encouraging those interested in the field to pursue it with passion and dedication.

Highlights

Introduction by Talisha Davis, a certified occupational therapy assistant.

Occupational therapy assistants help patients develop, recover, improve, and maintain skills needed for daily living and working.

Talisha's interest in occupational therapy began with her great-grandmother's dementia and the therapy she received.

To become an occupational therapy assistant, you need to complete a two-year degree from an accredited program at a community college.

Upon completion of the degree, you must take a national certification exam to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

There are additional certifications available, such as certified hand therapy, depending on your area of interest.

Most COTAs work 40 hours a week, but those in home health may have more flexible schedules.

The average salary for a COTA across the state is $60,710 per year.

A typical day involves seeing between 6 to 10 patients, with session times ranging from 15 to 60 minutes.

Occupational therapy assistants work in various settings, including hospitals, rehab facilities, nursing homes, therapy clinics, home health, and pediatric settings.

COTAs have the opportunity to work with a wide range of ages, from children to the elderly.

High school students interested in this career should focus on completing as many prerequisites as possible to get a head start.

Talisha emphasizes the importance of patience and empathy in this career.

Talisha expresses her passion for her job, mentioning how she goes to bed thinking about her work and wakes up excited to start the day.

The career has provided Talisha with a different perspective on life, teaching her patience and empathy.

Final encouragement: If you're passionate about this career, go for it.