Occupational therapy assistant

Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) provide a service to people with physical or mental health problems. They support the work of occupational therapists (OTs) in increasing clients’ independence and quality of life. They deliver treatment plans and might assess clients’ needs. They may provide aids and adaptations like grab rails.

Also known as:

Occupational therapy support worker
Occupational therapy technical instructor

Work activities

Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) work under the supervision of occupational therapists. They are part of a team that provides services to clients with a range of physical and mental health problems or other issues that prevent them from living fulfilling, independent lives. They help to support and put into practice the work of occupational therapists (OTs). The aim is to maximise clients’ independence and quality of life, at home and in their working and social lives. The occupational therapy team works with a very wide range of clients, including:

People with physical and learning disabilities.
Older adults, for example, people with arthritis or who are recovering from a stroke.
Patients who have left hospital after an accident or operation.
Homeless people who need help to rebuild their lives.
Clients with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

The occupational therapist will usually begin the assessment of the client’s needs and will allocate a treatment plan to the OTA to deliver and monitor. However, OTAs can also be the first point of contact for clients, health professionals and other agencies, working with people in voluntary services, social services and housing departments. OTAs are usually responsible for following up from the initial OT assessment. They make sure that the occupational therapist’s treatment plan is put into action and delivered according to the timetable. For example, OTAs will monitor progress on aids and adaptations with housing departments, agencies and building contractors. They ensure that the OT’s plan is delivered on time. Aids and adaptations are things that make it easier for the client to live independently, safely and in comfort. They include adjusted toilet seats, widened doors, bath seats, grab rails and special showers. OTAs may help the client to practise things such as getting into the bath safely.

OTAs make sure aids and adaptations are appropriate to the client’s needs. The OTA will work with the client in getting used to and coming to terms with the aid or adaptation, demonstrating how to use it. Apart from equipment, OTAs give clients advice on services that could help them, for example, from local authority departments, voluntary organisations and charities. OTAs might also help clients apply for financial support, such as Attendance Allowance, or apply for local authority home adaptation grant money. OTAs also help occupational therapists to deliver skills training. For example, if someone has had an accident or stroke, they might need to re-learn life skills such as washing, dressing and cooking. Helping the client to feed themselves could include training them to use adapted cutlery, for example, that has been designed to be used with one hand. The OTA and client might plan meals together, to get the client interested in cooking again. OTAs support occupational therapy by helping to run group work and workshops.

Throughout their work with the client, OTAs have to keep accurate notes and records. This includes writing reports and updating information on databases. OTAs often have administrative duties such as answering telephone enquiries, organising information packs, photocopying, filing, and reporting on equipment stock levels. Assistants must be careful to report and record any changes in the client’s physical or mental health to the occupational therapist. OTAs work in a variety of places, including local authority departments (housing and social care) and in the NHS. They work with clients in settings such as hospitals, residential care homes and clients’ own homes. OTAs working at more senior levels, with increased responsibilities, are usually known as assistant practitioners.

Personal qualities and skills

To be an occupational therapy assistant, you’ll need:

To enjoy working with people, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to understand the client’s experiences.
The ability to inspire confidence, to encourage and persuade.
Communication skills, for example, to listen to people describe their difficulties, and know how and when to ask appropriate questions.
The ability to explain things clearly, such as how to use an aid such as a bath seat or grab rail and ensure that the client has fully understood how to use the equipment safely.
The ability to understand a client’s level of motivation, for example, when they are experiencing frustration or anxiety.
Observational and problem-solving skills to make assessments and monitor the client’s progress.
Accurate record-keeping skills, including using a computer.
Written skills to produce reports.
Teamwork skills to support the occupational therapist. You will also be working alongside people such as technical assistants, building contractors, social workers and housing officers.
Initiative and the ability to work independently, especially when working in the community. Many assistants manage their own caseload of clients, although always under the supervision of the occupational therapist.

It is an advantage to be able to drive as you will need a full driving licence to enter many posts.

Pay and opportunities

NHS employees are paid on a rising scale within defined bands on a payscale called Agenda for Change. In the NHS, OTAs usually start on band 3, earning £22,816 as of November 2023. OTAs working for other employers may earn slightly more or less.

Occupational therapy assistants normally work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Some services include evening and weekend working.

Most employment is in hospitals, community centres, GP practices and local authority social services departments. Assistants also work in the community, providing treatment and advice for patients in their own homes, in nursing homes or day centres and health centres. Other employment is in industrial and commercial organisations, and with charities and voluntary agencies. Opportunities for occupational therapy assistants occur in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, on the Government’s Find a Job service, on the NHS Jobs website, and on job boards.

Entry routes and training

Most people start work and then have training on-the-job. Some entrants have gained knowledge and skills through relevant work experience, for example, working with people with disabilities in a health and social care role. Some people enter after completing relevant health and social care qualifications. A range of colleges and universities offer courses in Occupational Therapy at undergraduate and postgraduate level. See Ucas.com for a full listing.

A number of apprenticeship programmes are available:

Healthcare support worker (level 2 / intermediate).
Senior healthcare support worker (level 3 / advanced).

Training is usually on-the-job, covering areas such as disability awareness, safe moving and handling of clients, aids and adaptations, and working in clients’ homes.

Promotion could be to an assistant practitioner post. It may be possible to train as an occupational therapist, where the employer will support this, through a four-year, part-time, in-service degree course.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

To get onto an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some applicants have experience of working with people with disabilities, either in a health or social care setting.

Related careers

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Occupational therapist
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