OT vs OTA – Key Differences

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(Newswire.net — October 11, 2019) — The rehabilitation field is quite popular with students. Why? It is because occupational therapy field is growing with each day. There are many job openings, and the career path is adventurous. If this is your line of interest, you will have to make up your mind on OT vs OTA. 

OT vs OTA

In this informative post, you will know the difference between OT and OTA. You will also understand their lines of duty and what you need to qualify for each. Read and help yourself make the right career decision. 

Deciding between OT and OTA

Occupational therapy (OT) is the more popular line of a career. You get work satisfaction, the pay is better, and the chances to grow your career. There are also various fields within occupational therapy. For instance, you can be a pediatric occupational therapist or a mental health occupational therapist. As an occupational therapy assistant (OTA), you will work under an OT. For those who have the money for fees but with limited time, OTA is the best choice to make. You can later join a bridging program and become an OT. If you wish, you can directly join a university offering the full OT program. 

The similarities between OT and OTA

Both work with each other. The OTA is junior to the OT, and they complement each other. For both, their work revolves around patient care. Overall, they will provide intervention therapy and promote a safe environment for patients. There are both benefits in working as an OT and an OTA. 

The legal and professional differences between OT and OTA

Top in their differences is the academic level. To be an OT, you will need an occupational therapy master’s degree. There is also a new entry program referred to as OTD. Once you finish the degree, you should pass the licensure examination. When all this is done, you become a practicing OT.

For an OTA, you require an associate’s degree. It takes two years of study. You do not need a bachelor’s degree for this one. However, you will also need to clear and pass licensure examination just like an OT.

Another difference is in the cost of education. Studying for an OT will require more money for fees. You will spend less when studying for OTA. 

There is also a difference in their responsibilities. The OT is the overall lead. He/she sets the treatment path, goals, and monitor daily progress. It is also the OT who will make recommendations for change of approach as well as discharge patients. 

OTA has to implement the plan by OT. He/she makes sure the patient is strictly on the path recommended by the OT. The OTA is the first person to be with a patient and informs the OT in case of an observation worth noting. 

Finally, there is the difference in salaries. Due to their roles, OT has more responsibility and a higher grade at the workplace. Therefore, in order to land the job you need to consider these responsibilities. Therefore, OTs get higher pay. OTAs will get way lesser salaries than their seniors. 

If you are interested in a career in occupational therapy and stuck deciding between OT vs OTA, this post should help you make a decision. While both of them are in the same line of work, it is the OT who is more senior. Remember, you can be an OTA and later upgrade to an OT. The decision is now yours.