Will “Direct Support Professional” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

Job Description

Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 31-2012.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 31,840.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 15.00
• Currently, there are 7,210 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Occupational Therapy Aides”.

Also Known As…

• Occupational Therapy Aides
• Restorative Coordinator
• Restorative Aide
• Rehabilitation Technician (Rehab Tech)
• Rehabilitation Services Aide
• Rehabilitation Aide (Rehab Aide)
• Occupational Therapy Technician (OT Tech)
• Occupational Therapy Aide (OT Aide)
• Direct Support Staff
• Direct Service Professional
• Certified Occupational Rehabilitation Aide (CORA)
• Therapy Tech
• Restorative, Rehab Aide
• Rehabilitation Tech
• Rehabilitation Aide/Scheduler
• Program Trainer
• Occupational Therapist Aide (OT Aide)
• Occupational Rehabilitation Aide
• Independent Living Specialist

Tasks for “Direct Support Professional”

• Evaluate the living skills and capacities of physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled clients.
• Adjust and repair assistive devices and make adaptive changes to other equipment and to environments.
• Perform clerical, administrative, and secretarial duties, such as answering phones, restocking and ordering supplies, filling out paperwork, and scheduling appointments.
• Assist occupational therapists in planning, implementing, and administering therapy programs to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, using selected activities and special equipment.
• Manage intradepartmental infection control and equipment security.
• Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals.
• Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments.
• Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual and creative arts and games.
• Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
• Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
• Assist educational specialists or clinical psychologists in administering situational or diagnostic tests to measure client's abilities or progress.
• Supervise patients in choosing and completing work assignments or arts and crafts projects.
• Accompany patients on outings, providing transportation when necessary.
• Instruct patients and families in work, social, and living skills, the care and use of adaptive equipment, and other skills to facilitate home and work adjustment to disability.
• Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.

Related Technology & Tools

• Therapeutic balls
• Communication boards
• Rehabilitation training ramps
• Rivet setters
• Transfer belts
• Power hand sanders
• Desktop computers
• Multi-purpose saw sets
• Wheeled walkers
• Dressing sticks
• Crutches
• Braille writers
• Canes
• Rotary punches
• Sewing needles
• Punching awls
• Leather scissors
• Lacing needles
• Adaptive cutlery
• Rasps
• Scooter boards
• Wood chisels
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Photocopiers
• Beading needles
• Reachers
• Wheelchairs
• Rawhide mallets
• Knitting needles
• Crochet hooks
• Orthopedic splints
• Sewing machines
• Personal computers
• Latch hooks
• Hand weights
• Augmentative communication systems

• Microsoft Access
• Scheduling software
• Microsoft Word
• Data entry software
• MEDITECH software
• Electronic medical record EMR software
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Office
• Billing software
• Microsoft Excel