Finding an Online Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Because occupational therapy involves patients, earning your OTA degree online also means hands-on training. OTA students need to learn how to use specific tools and apply therapy techniques while at a campus or an approved healthcare facility. But how does that all work? What do you, as a student, need to keep in mind when searching for OTA programs with key online elements and the best hands-on training support? Use EduMed’s guide to see inside online occupational therapy assistant programs and learn what it takes to get started.

What to Look for in an Online OTA Program

Every student searches for an online OTA program with a different idea of what path they want to follow. However, there are some characteristics that all students should be concerned about as they look for schools. The following are some of the most important things students should look for in an online occupational therapy assistant program.

Levels of Online Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs

Generally, prospective occupational therapy assistants can begin their career after two years of training in an associate degree program. However, those who want to advance in their careers can get additional training to land higher-level positions. The following are the different types of online occupational therapy assistant programs that schools offer.

Understanding the “Online” in Online OTA Programs

Occupational therapy assistant students generally are concerned about the format of the program they choose, particularly if they are holding down a full-time job as they work on their degree. Online occupational therapy assistant programs can help to alleviate some of students’ concerns about how they are going to fit their education into their lifestyle, however, they should keep in mind that these programs do require that they go on campus for instruction periodically. The following outlines how mostly online programs and programs with an online component work.

Critical Knowledge & Skills

Those who are interested in pursuing OTA degrees may be reluctant to enroll in an online OTA program because they may be concerned they won’t get all of the training they need to obtain their license and land a job after graduation. However, some critical knowledge and skills can actually be learned online, while other areas require that students participate in campus work. The following are examples of the skills that students can actually obtain by doing online work.

Record-keeping: Keeping patient records complete and accurate is imperative for providing the best care, as well as ensuring that health care facilities get payments from insurance companies. As a result, students may take classes that teach recordkeeping so they learn how to update patient records in a legal and ethical manner.

Assessment: In order to determine what kind of treatment patients need, OTAs have to first figure out exactly what the problem is. The theories of assessment skills can be taught online, so students understand what they should be looking for when working with patients and how they should respond to what they find.

Communication: Strong communication skills are needed in order to successfully work with colleagues, patients, and family members. The principles of how to communicate effectively can be taught in textbooks and during online class sessions.

While students can get many important skills through their online coursework, some skills occupational therapy assistants need can only come through hands-on training. The following are examples of some of those skills.

Instruction: Occupational therapy assistants often are tasked with explaining medical information to their patients and teaching them how to care for themselves between appointments. Although students can learn the basic principles of how this is done effectively online, it is no substitution for learning how to do this with actual patients and watching the techniques professionals use at work.

Technology: Professionals are expected to know how to navigate their way around medical software, as well as equipment that is used to treat patients. In order to gain proficiency in these areas, OTAs need hands-on training.

Empathy: Throughout their careers, medical professionals encounter people who are handling serious challenges and extreme pain. When encountering patients during their clinical work, students get the opportunity to hone their ability to show compassion, which goes a long way toward building trust and helping patients have positive outcomes.

What Does Online Occupational Therapy Assistant School Cost?

Depending on the school, students may be able to save money by enrolling in an online occupational therapy assistant program. However, even with these savings, they still will be concerned about how to pay for their education, and whether or not there is financial aid available to them. This section provides a breakdown of how much students can expect to pay for their degrees, as well as what types of financial aid they can receive.

OTA Cost and Fee Breakdown

The cost for education can add up when fees are added to tuition charges. The following is a breakdown of the expenses students should keep their eye on.

How to Pay for Your OTA Program

There are several resources that students can use to help them pay for their education, and this funding can come from a variety of sources. The following is an overview of some of the ways people can pay for their OTA degree program.

Learn more about financial aid options, how to apply for the FAFSA, and more ways to make college more affordable by reading EduMed’s guide to financial aid.

From OTA to COTA: Certification & Licensing

All states require that occupational therapy assistants receive a license in order to legally work in their state. However, state requirements can vary, so it’s important for students to find out what is expected of them. In some cases, graduates can receive a temporary license, which allows them to work on a limited basis, until they have received the results of the licensing test.

Career Growth & Salary Potential for OTAs

Considering a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) could be a smart move, with strong job growth and competitive pay across the U.S. OTA positions are projected to grow by 24.2% through 2030, adding 10,900 new jobs nationwide, plus an expected 8,000 annual openings due to growth and turnover. Demand is especially high in states like Utah (66.7% growth), Arizona (46.5%), and Tennessee (40%).

In terms of salary, OTAs earn a median of $67,010, with some states offering notably high wages. For example, in California, the median salary is $80,360; in Texas, it’s $75,000; and in Washington, it’s $72,950. Top earners in these states can reach up to $99,200. This demand and pay potential make working as an OTA an appealing, accessible healthcare career option, especially in states with rising needs for rehabilitation and eldercare services.