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 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 Staff
• Direct Support Professional

Tasks for “Direct Support Staff”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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