Tag: Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) both work in rehabilitation, but they help patients reach different types of goals. OTAs generally help people develop or regain the skills needed to participate in meaningful daily activities, while PTAs focus more directly on movement, mobility, strength, and physical function. In California, both careers typically require accredited education, a national examination, and state […]

Healthcare careers in California offer several potential benefits, including strong projected employment demand, a wide range of work environments, and opportunities to care directly for patients. According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), many healthcare occupations are projected to grow through 2032, including registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, occupational therapy assistants, and physical therapist assistants.¹ Understanding […]

If you have an interest in occupational therapy, shadowing an occupational therapist can help you better understand what the profession looks like before committing to occupational therapy education. Whether you’re interested in becoming an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant, observing patient care, asking questions, and learning about different practice settings can help you decide whether the career aligns […]

Occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) work in a variety of healthcare and community settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, schools, skilled nursing facilities, in-home healthcare settings, and community organizations. Although specific daily responsibilities can vary depending on the environment and patient population, in all of these settings, OTs and OTAs help individuals improve independence […]

Basic Overview  If you enjoy working with children, there are many healthcare careers that provide opportunities to support pediatric patients and their families. Professionals such as Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapist Assistants, Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Registered Nurses may work with infants, children, and adolescents in hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and […]

Basic Overview  Fieldwork is a supervised learning experience that allows occupational therapy students to apply classroom concepts in real-world settings. Both Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) and Occupational Therapist (OT) education pathways include fieldwork requirements designed to help students develop professional skills, gain practical experience, and prepare for patient-centered practice.  What Is Fieldwork?  Fieldwork is a […]

Basic Overview  Nursing and allied health careers both play important roles in healthcare, but they differ in responsibilities, educational pathways, and patient care focus. Nurses often provide and coordinate patient care across a variety of healthcare settings, while allied health professionals frequently specialize in areas such as rehabilitation, therapy, diagnostics, and wellness. Understanding these differences can help […]

Basic Overview  Allied health refers to healthcare professions that support patient care, rehabilitation, diagnosis, and wellness outside of physician and nursing roles. Allied health professionals work in a variety of healthcare settings and often specialize in areas such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and patient support services. Understanding allied health careers can help you identify educational […]

Basic Overview  Nurse Practitioners, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapy Assistants, and Occupational Therapists are among the healthcare professions projected to experience strong employment growth in California through 2032. According to California workforce projections, Nurse Practitioners lead the group with projected growth of 58.6%, followed by Physical Therapist Assistants (41.8%), Occupational Therapy Assistants (33.3%), and Occupational […]

Basic Overview  Before starting a healthcare career, it is important to understand educational requirements, licensure pathways, workplace environments, and long-term career goals. Healthcare includes a wide range of professions, from nursing and rehabilitation to occupational therapy and physical therapy, each with different responsibilities and educational pathways. Exploring your interests and career objectives can help you identify the healthcare profession […]