Occupational Therapy Assistant | University of Missouri-Columbia

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 29-1122.00

Skills

Service OrientationActive ListeningMonitoringSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingCritical ThinkingSocial Perceptiveness

Knowledge

Therapy and CounselingPsychologyCustomer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryEnglish Language

Abilities

Oral ExpressionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionInformation OrderingSpeech RecognitionSpeech Clarity

Tasks

Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine real
Complete and maintain necessary records.
Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community s
Recommend adaptive equipment to individuals to increase independence in daily living activities.

Technology

Medical softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareWord processing softwareOptical character reader OCR or scanning softwareElectronic mail software

Tools

Adaptive cutleryAdjustable bedsAlternative computer keyboardsBraille printersComputer switch interfacesDrill pressesElectric knivesElectric wheelchairsElectronic blood pressure unitsExercise ballsGait and transfer beltsGoniometers or arthrometersHoistsJoy sticksLaptop computers

Work Values

RelationshipsAchievementWorking ConditionsIndependenceSupportRecognition

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: high29-1122.00	Occupational Therapists	title_inference	$98,340 median$129,830 top	+13.81%	2,210

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: proficient (Level 3)(based on Bachelor's Degree)

Complex functional assessments — perform autonomously across pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations, synthesizing medical data and standardized test results to establish individualized rehabilitation goals in diverse clinical contexts.
Non-routine rehabilitation programs — design and lead occupational therapy interventions for patients with multi-system disabilities or comorbid psychological conditions across hospital, community, and institutional settings.
Outcome measurement and quality reporting — evaluate program-wide patient progress data, prepare detailed clinical reports, and apply systems evaluation methods to improve therapeutic effectiveness.
Vocational and life-skills curricula — develop comprehensive, occupation-centered programs that address work reintegration and independent living for patients with complex physical or developmental limitations.
Critical clinical judgment — exercise independent decision-making in ambiguous or high-acuity cases, applying deductive and inductive reasoning to resolve non-standard therapeutic challenges.
Caregiver and family education — design and deliver structured training programs that build sustainable home-management capacity for caregivers of patients with chronic or progressive conditions.
Advanced assistive technology integration — evaluate and implement specialized medical software, OCR scanning tools, and computer-based training systems to augment patient function and independence.
Interprofessional care leadership — coordinate and advocate for occupational therapy's role within complex, multi-disciplinary treatment teams serving medically complex patient populations.
Evidence-based practice application — systematically incorporate current research literature and clinical guidelines into individual treatment planning and program development across all service settings.
Regulatory compliance and ethical practice — ensure all documentation, billing, and patient interaction practices meet professional, legal, and institutional standards without supervisory review.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.