OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT 10 MONTHS
Career Family: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT
New Jersey classifies Occupational Therapy Assistant 10 Months as non-competitive, which skips the exam-and-list step and turns on whether you meet the minimum requirements.
Qualifying turns on a professional license. The FY 2027 range lands between $42,397 and $61,027.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of a licensed occupational therapist in the Department of Human Service or Department of Health, assists in administering varied types of occupational therapy services to clients to restore function or maintain present function, prevent further disability, and assist clients to achieve their maximum potential; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Under the professional direction of a licensed occupational therapist, plans, implements, and/or administers educational, vocational, or recreational programs and standard evaluation procedures that restore or enhance performance in individuals with functional impairments, and may assist in assessing client's performance capacities and/or deficits. Assists in formulating treatment goals and priorities in collaboration with a licensed occupational therapist. Assists occupational therapists with implementing treatment plans designed to help clients function independently. Alters treatment programs to obtain better results if treatment is not having the intended effect. Participates in the selection of activities, frequency of treatment, and methods for evaluation progress. Under supervision, administers specific treatment activities, tasks, and exercises with clients or groups of clients. Maintains and promotes a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs. Monitors patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement. Aids patients in dressing and grooming themselves. Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual or creative arts or games. Teach patients how to deal constructively with their emotions. Evaluates the daily living skills or capacities of physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled clients. Evaluates client's response to treatment in collaboration with a licensed occupational therapist. Reports and/or records client's progress and provides recommendation for changes, additions, and deletions in the treatment program. Monitors the use of adaptive equipment and may screen clients to identify those in need of OT evaluations. Designs, fabricates, and repairs assistive devices and makes adaptive changes to equipment or environments. Instructs, or assists in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment. May direct the activities of other sub-professional therapy employees including aides and occupational therapy assistant students. May train less experienced personnel assigned to assist with occupational therapy programming. Communicates and collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved with the care of a patient. As required, attends team conferences and care plan meetings to review patient progress and update care plans. Assists with the planning and evaluation of occupational therapy programs. Schedules appointments for equipment and clients. As required, requisitions, stores, safeguards, distributes, records, and supervises the proper use of equipment and supplies; makes minor repairs or adjustments to equipment. May serve as a clinic coordinator for adaptive equipment or other rehab related clinics. May be required to engage in lifting clients when working in a setting which provides direct services to clients who are non- ambulant, or who are semi-ambulant and/or have severe physical disabilities. Orders any needed educational or treatment supplies. Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments, collecting data, or documenting health insurance billings. Establishes and maintains records, reports, and files. Prepares reports of client attendance and progress and other appropriate information. Observes environmental conditions within the treatment and office areas; follows safety, emergency, infection, and pest control procedures; maintains areas in a clean, safe, and orderly fashion. May help plan/participate in/provide in-service education programs within the institution or agency and within the Occupational Therapy Unit. May assist educational specialists or clinical psychologists in administering situational or diagnostic tests to measure client's abilities or progress. Attends continuing education classes. Assists in research projects as assigned. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Applicants must possess a license as an Occupational Therapy Assistant issued by the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council, Department of Law and Public Safety. Appointees to positions in day training centers and other educational facilities identified by the New Jersey Department of Education will be required to possess the appropriate educational certification issued by the New Jersey Department of Education. Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of Occupational Therapy methods and techniques. Knowledge of the equipment, materials, activities, and procedures used in Occupational Therapy treatment programs. Knowledge of the problems encountered in performing Occupational Therapy work institutional clients. Knowledge of the methods used to evaluate client progress. Ability to train less experienced personnel. Ability to evaluate client response to treatment. Ability to administer treatment programs to clients. Ability to physically lift, move, and position clients as needed. Ability to prepare equipment and activities and to make minor repairs to equipment. Ability to prepare accurate records of clients' progress and other reports. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with supervisors, professional staff, work assistants, and with clients. Ability to follow measures for the care, custody, welfare, and well-being of clients. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.