Empathy is an integral part of our human nature. It is a skill ingrained in us, but it can also be learned and improved upon. Explore ways to develop your empathy and be more successful in life.

Watch a TED Talk about empathy.

Learn more about occupational therapy! Get a glimpse into therapy sessions with clients, hear current practitioner stories, see the diversified faces of occupation therapy and more.

Learn how to become an occupational therapist.

Are you interested in getting certified in occupational therapy? Learn more about the requirements and eligibility for the NBCOT certification exam.

Find out what it takes to get certified in occupational therapy.

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

Healthcare Support Occupations

Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides

Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.

Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.

Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.

Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.

Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.

Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.

Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.

Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.

Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled clients.

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Overview

Career

What Occupational Therapy Assistants Do

Other Job Titles Occupational Therapy Assistants May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Overview

Career

What Occupational Therapy Assistants Do

Other Job Titles Occupational Therapy Assistants May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Occupational Therapy Assistants

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders