Will “Direct Support Staff” 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
• Direct Support Professional

Tasks for “Direct Support Staff”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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