Occupational Therapy Assistant Career Outlook

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

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Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

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New Richmond Admissions Contact

Sherry Rehnelt

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8136

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Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

Percent Employed

64%

Graduates Employed

Northwood Tech 2022-2023
Graduate Follow-Up Survey

Employed in Related Field

71%

Employed in a Related Field

Northwood Tech 2022-2023
Graduate Follow-Up Survey

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$43,361

5-Year Average Salary

Northwood Tech 2019-2023
Graduate Follow-Up Surveys

Careers

Typical positions available after graduation include:

A child during pediatric occupational therapy on an exercise ball

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistants help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. Occupational Therapy Assistants are directly involved in providing therapy to patients; occupational therapy aides typically perform support activities. Occupational Therapy Assistants work under the direction of occupational therapists.

Additional opportunities include:

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Activities Director/Coordinator
Case Manager
Community Support Worker
Life Skills Trainer
Mental Health Technician
Community Educator
Paraprofessional, Specialized

Hear From Students

"Northwood Tech’s OTA program is well-rounded, engaging, and practical. The didactic, as well as experiential learning opportunities throughout the program, prepared me for working in a wide variety of settings. The instructors truly care about their students as individuals and provide support and guidance throughout the program."

Hanna Z., OTA Graduate

OTA GRADUATION

Updated 04-11-2024

OTA PROGRAM DIRECTOR/FACULTY RESPONSIBILITIES
- The OTA Program Director/Faculty will inform students where they can find the graduation process and forms on the Northwood Tech OTA and Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (WI DSPS) websites and assist students in navigating the entire process.
TIMELINE and AUTHORIZATION TO TEST (ATT) for MAY 2024 GRADUATES
- The process of auditing and conferring degrees takes time.
- Timeline:
  - Northwood Tech classes end/confer date: May 17, 2024
  - Northwood Tech grades are due: May 29, 2024
  - Northwood Tech requires 15 business days to audit/confer degrees and submit graduation information to the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services (WI DSPS): June 19, 2024
  - WI DSPS requires a minimum of 3 weeks to process applications after receiving graduation confirmation: July 10, 2024. The process and approval timeline will vary based on the application type and peak application submission timeframes. Your status will be continuously updated with changes; refer to your status.
  - You may receive your ATT letter from NBCOT before the college confirms your eligibility.
NBCOT APPLICATION
- NBCOT provides additional information about the exam. This is a great place to start if you have questions about the exam.
- Please refer to the Exam Handbook on the NBCOT website for instructions and assistance.
- When you're ready to apply for the exam, follow the steps listed on the NBCOT website.
- If you have trouble registering or signing in, contact NBCOT.
- Additional Information (You may need this during the application process.)
  - Exam Level: CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT COTA
  - COTA Credential: Associate Degree
  - U.S. School Code: 15513
  - School Name, City, and State: Northwood Technical College ASHLAND WI (even if you attended/graduated from another campus)
  - For testing accommodations, refer to the NBCOT website.
- Upon confirmation of eligibility for examination, the candidate will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter.
- OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT
  - Official transcripts must be sent to NBCON. Refer to the NBCOT Exam Handbook for requirements and instructions for submission. Official transcripts can be requested from the Northwood Tech website.
WISCONSIN STATE APPLICATION for LICENSURE
- The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (WI DSPS) requires all applicants to apply via LicensE. Please refer to the LicensE Applicant User Guide for instructions and assistance.
- Questions, concerns, error messages, etc., about the process or Customer Portal should be directed to WI DSPS.
- Additional Licensure Information (You may need this during the application process.):
  - School Name: Northwood Technical College
  - School Address: ASHLAND WI (even if you attended/graduated from another campus)
  - Degree: ASSOCIATE DEGREE
  - Specialty: Occupational Therapy Assistant
- After degrees have been conferred, the Registrar's office will provide the required information to WI DSPS to confirm exam eligibility.