What is the difference between OT, OTA, and OT Aides?

Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists have the most responsibility when it comes to assisting the client.  They have a higher level of education, more academic preparation, and spent a greater amount of time doing fieldwork.

Academic preparation:

• Professional Level

• As of 2007, at least a Master's degree is required (previously BA was minimum)
• Master of Science
• Entry level - Had received a bachelor's degree in related field and/or completed prerequisite coursework
• Post-professional (to enhance OT skills) - already holds a professional degree
• Academic coursework and field work Levels I and II (6 months for level II)

• Doctorate level (not currently required)
• Professional/clinical and research
• Fewer schools offer
• Types of doctorate degrees (entry level & post-professional)
• OTD (most common) or DrOT -  doctor of occupational therapy
• PhD - rehabilitation sciences
• ScD - occupational science

(American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2007)

• Schools accreditation:  ACOTE 
• ACOTE is responsible for developing and implementing standards for OT's and OTA's (Crepeau, Cohn, & Boyt-Shell, 2009).

• Master's Accreditation Standards
• Accredited Schools for Entry-Level Master's degree  
• Accredited Schools for Post-Professional Masters 
• Doctorate Accreditation Standards 
•  Accredited Schools for Entry-Level Doctorate
• Accredited Schools for Post-Professional Doctorate 

*See here for developing schools/seeking accreditation

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Responds to referrals
• Evaluation and screening of clients occupations
• Refers clients to other professionals/services
• Responsible for intervention process - development, implementation, modification
• Ensures documentation is within given time frames and standards
• Evaluates safety and effectiveness of process and intervention
• Responsible for determining/documenting expected or achieved outcomes related to occupations
• Facilitates collaboration with family, friends, and community

(Crepeau et al., 2009)

Supervision:

Recommended but not required; OTs are considered independent practitioners.  However, many companies will have a designated supervisor.  Occupational therapists are encourage to seek supervision or mentoring of an advanced OT (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2009).  New graduates or OTs with only a few years of experience are highly encouraged.  Even an OT with advanced experience can benefit from seeking advice and discussing knowledge and research with another practitioner.

Occupational Therapy Assistant 
Qualified to work directly with the client under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist

• Technical level

• Entry-level Associates/technical degree - usually offered at community college, junior colleges, and some 4 year universities and colleges
• Academic preparation and fieldwork (3 months Level II)

 (AOTA, 2007)

• Schools accreditation: ACOTE
• OTA Accreditation Standards 
• OTA Accredited Schools 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to under the supervision of an OT:

• Contributed to evaluation and documentation
• Educates referral sources about occupational therapy services
• Implements and modifies therapeutic activities and interventions in areas of competency
• Reviews intervention plan with client
• Involved with collaboration of family, community, and friends

(Crepeau et al., 2009)

Supervision:
In order to deliver services to the client, the occupational therapy assistant must be supervised by an occupational therapist.  OTs must provide guidance, oversight, and ensure therapy services are safe and effective.  OTs need to review documentation of services in accordance with agency and state requirements (AOTA, 2009).



Occupational Therapy Aides

• Has on the job training and supervision. 
• Roles of supplementing occupational therapy services.
• Not certified
• To support OT or OTA in non-client related tasks
• Clerical
• Maintenance activities
• Preparation of work area/equipment

• Minimum client-related tasks that are routine and will not require judgment by aide.

 (American Occupational Therapy Association, 1999)

• Supervision is required.  Occupational therapist must oversee tasks of aides.  OTAs can also supervise the aide (AOTA, 2009).

 (Google Images)