Occupational Therapist Assistant Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

An Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) plays a crucial role in the therapy industry by providing support to occupational therapists in implementing treatment plans for patients. They help patients with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses improve their ability to perform daily activities. OTAs often take on the hands-on tasks of therapy sessions, instructing and aiding patients in exercises and activities, monitoring progress, and documenting patient responses. They also assist in preparing treatment areas and equipment. Essential skills for this role include excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a compassionate and patient-centered approach, and good physical strength and dexterity to assist patients.

Before becoming an OTA, a person may hold roles such as a Rehabilitation Aide, Physical Therapist Assistant, or Certified Nursing Assistant to gain relevant experience. In terms of qualification, becoming an OTA requires completion of an associate's degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program and a state license, which involves passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Furthermore, OTAs may pursue additional certifications in specialized areas like pediatrics, mental health, or physical rehabilitation to advance their career.

1-15 of 33 Jobs

Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - Part-Time or Full-Time

  • Santa Clara, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 7 days ago
  • Santa Clara, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 7 days ago

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Your Schedule, Your Way! What sets EmpowerMe Wellness apart from other therapy providers? Its simple: we offer truly flexible scheduling....

Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) PRN, Part-Time, or Full-Time

  • Cupertino, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 7 days ago
  • Cupertino, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 7 days ago

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Your Schedule, Your Way! What sets EmpowerMe Wellness apart from other therapy providers? Its simple: we offer truly flexible scheduling....

Travel Allied-COTA, Rehab

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 45+ days ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 45+ days ago

COTA - Rehab We are seeking a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join our rehabilitation team....

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - Skilled - (COTA - Skilled)

  • Portola Valley, CA (20 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 6 hours ago
  • Portola Valley, CA (20 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 6 hours ago

Requirements Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - Skilled - (COTA - Skilled) StartDate: ASAP Pay Rate: $1596.00 - $1660.00 Well respected skilled nursing facility (SNF) is seeking a Therapist...

Rehabilitation - COTA

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago

KPG Healthcare is currently seeking Rehabilitation - COTAs to fill Travel and Local Contract opportunities throughout our network of hospitals. About Us KPG Healthcare is a Staffing Firm that...

NEW 25/26 School Year Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) Needed in San Jose, California

  • Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 2 days ago
  • Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 2 days ago

Category Schools - COTA Job Type Contract Join Our Team as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in San Jose, CA!...

COTA - Travel Contract

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 4 days ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 4 days ago

Setting: Skilled Nursing Facility We're hiring a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant for a travel contract role at a great facility....

Therapy COTA

  • Cupertino, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 4 days ago
  • Cupertino, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 4 days ago

GetMed Staffing is searching for a strong Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to assist our traveler-friendly client. A minimum of 1-2 years of experience is required....

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

  • Portola Valley, CA (20 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 4 days ago
  • Portola Valley, CA (20 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 4 days ago

We are seeking a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant for a travel assignment in Portola Valley California....

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - SNF / LTC - 5x8 Days

  • Portola Valley, CA (20 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 4 days ago
  • Portola Valley, CA (20 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 4 days ago

Current Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) license within the state of practice....

Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) - SNF / LTC - Contract

  • Los Gatos, CA (14 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Los Gatos, CA (14 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 6 days ago

Occupational Therapy Assistant Job, COTA Job, COTA Travel Job, Travel Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Job, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Job and Travel COTA Job....

Travel Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

  • Los Gatos, CA (14 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Los Gatos, CA (14 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 6 days ago

Travel Occupational Therapy Assistant Company: Fusion Medical Staffing Location: Facility in Los Gatos, CA Job Details Fusion Medical Staffing is seeking a skilled Occupational Therapy Assistant for...

Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) - SNF / LTC

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 17 days ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 17 days ago

Therapist Assistant / Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA....

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Full-Time San Jose, CA

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 22 days ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 22 days ago

Category Schools - COTA Job Type Contract We are seeking a dedicated Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) for a full-time, onsite position in San Jose, California for the 2025-2026 school...

Onsite COTA Position 202526

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 22 days ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 22 days ago

Model: Onsite Position Overview: We are seeking a full-time Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join a school-based team in San Jose, CA for the full 2025-2026 academic year....

Demographic Data for Santa Cruz, CA

Moving to Santa Cruz, CA? Find some basic demographic data about Santa Cruz, CA below.

Local
National
101,449
2,927
Medium/Lg

Occupational Therapist Assistant Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireTherapy curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
edX
Leadership Skills Development for Occupational Therapists
The Leadership Skills Development MOOC for Occupational Therapists will support course participants to gain insights into their leadership potential, values and preferences. Together we will...
FutureLearn
Occupational Safety and Health Hazards
No workplace is free from risk. Whether physical or psychosocial, occupational hazards are a concern for every workplace. This two-week course from Universiti Malaya will give you an introduction...
Udemy
Understanding Behaviour Management by Occupational Therapist
Behaviour is how someone acts. It is what a person does to make something happen, to make something change or to keep things the same.Behaviour is a response to things that are...
Register to search for more online courses. >>>

Title Synonyms

Users interested in this job title also searched for the following job titles

Salary for Occupational Therapist Assistant Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireTherapy research efforts.
Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Occupational Therapist Assistant positions.

Highest Education Level

Occupational Therapist Assistants in Santa Cruz, CA offer the following education background
Associate's Degree
49.1%
Bachelor's Degree
25.8%
Master's Degree
15.0%
High School or GED
3.4%
Vocational Degree or Certification
3.2%
Doctorate Degree
2.6%
Some College
0.6%
Some High School
0.2%
Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Occupational Therapist Assistants in Santa Cruz, CA
Less than 1 year
60.5%
1-2 years
14.6%
None
11.2%
6-8 years
9.7%
2-4 years
3.5%
4-6 years
0.5%

Qualifications / Skill Sets

The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Occupational Therapist Assistant position

In-Demand skills () are the most popular among employers according to the current jobs in our database. Last updated today!

Occupational Therapist Assistant Related Career Advice Articles

physical therapist with a pediatric patient
What Employers Look for When Hiring for Therapist Jobs

Ready to launch your career in professional therapy? Find out what you can do to stand out to employers and get one step closer to becoming a therapist.

Read article »
Which physical therapy career path is right for you?
Which Physical Therapy Career Path is Right for You?

Just beginning your physical therapist career? Learn about the different types of physical therapy and choose the right physical therapy career path for you.

Read article »
How to become a physical therapist
How to Become a Physical Therapist

Wondering how to become a physical therapist? Use this guide to learn about what physical therapists do, how long it takes to be a physical therapist, and even the average physical therapist salary.

Read article »