In occupational therapy there are three options to choose from. One may be an occupational therapist, an occupational therapist assistant, or an occupational therapist assistant. In this healthcare profession they are responsible for helping patients in their ability to carry out activities of daily living such as speech, physical and mental activities. His patients have typically lost these abilities due to mental, physical, or emotionally disabling conditions. This profession takes place in hospitals, offices of other healthcare professions, and nursing care facilities. First on the career ladder is occupational therapist assistant. They prepare equipment and materials that therapists and assistants can use to help their patients, develop computer-assisted equipment, and teach severe limitations on how to use the equipment. They help patients who need an assistant move to and from treatment rooms. They also do paperwork such as answering phones, making appointments and filling out patient records. Because they must work around patients' schedules, occupational therapy assistants may have to work nights and weekends. However, they do not provide direct patient care like occupational therapists and assistants. The education requirements for this job are a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Their average annual salary is $28,000 with an average hourly rate of $13.56. They do not require a license in the state of New Jersey. Secondly, when an occupational therapist assistant wants to move up the career ladder, they will become an occupational therapist assistant. The assistant uses computer programs to help patients improve the following aspects: decision making, problem solving and memory. They help close......middle of paper.......April Jackson. Occupational Therapy Assistant/Rehabilitation Aide. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.otcareerpath.com/aide. [February 20, 2014].Careercast.com (2013). Jobs rated 2013: Rank 200 jobs from best to worst. Career cast. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/best-worst-jobs-2013 [Last accessed February 27, 2014].Dawn Rosenberg Mackay. Occupational Therapist: Career Information. [ONLINE] Available at: http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/occ_therapist.htm. [[ONLINE] NBCOT available. NBCOT mission and vision statements. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.nbcot.org/ . [Last accessed: February 19, 2014].Michael Sapko. How to become an occupational therapist assistant. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/how-to-become-an-occupational-therapist-assistant.html [Last accessed February 19, 2014].