How do I become an occupational therapy aide (not assistant)?

Question

I want to apply for a masters program in occupational therapy and therefore want to gain valuable experience as an aide. I am not finding these jobs though :( Should I go through an agency or something?

Answer 1

One may obtain a job as an ot aide at a nursing home facility or rehabilitation hospital that helps those with traumatic brain injury, stroke ("brain attack" -- a type of brain injury/acquired brain injury which is Not from outside blunt force) or such.  There may be more jobs available for the physical therapy aide which are sometimes also needed at outpatient therapy offices.

Not sure if county vo-tech schools still offer pt aide but perhaps check that avenue.  Perhaps a home health aide or cna program as the other postee mentioned would briefly talk about some of the tasks of an ot aide or pt aide.  Please steer clear of those online, for-profit schools such as penn foster, stratford career, US career, university of phoenix, capella, kaplan and others:  http://www.capellauniversitysucks.us

http://www.ripoffreport.com and can type into search.

General career info:  http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search 'nursing, psychiatric and home health aides', 'occupational therapists' or such.

Answer 2

Most of those jobs are found at nursing homes. At the nursing home I work in the occupational or physical therapy aide is a good cna they pulled off the floor and trained. Usually a cna with quite a bit of experience. If you haven't been looking at nursing homes, that is where I would start. If you aren't a cna yet you need pick that up.