Occupational Therapy is designed to help people recover from disabilities caused by injury or illness. Therapists determine exercises and other activities needed for rehabilitation, and then assign Occupational Therapist Assistants to provide hands-on-help. Under the guidance of therapists, these assistants work with people of all ages to lessen the effects of physical, mental or developmental problems. For example, an assistant may guide an injured person through exercises to overcome the loss of a physical ability. This may require kneeling and bending to help patients, or lifting them when necessary. Assistants are expected to carefully follow directions given by Occupational Therapists. They need to be observant because they are responsible for reporting on the patients’ progress, or lack of progress Many Occupational Therapist Assistants work in hospitals. Others work in offices of Occupational Therapists, nursing care facilities or in home healthcare services. Work-hours vary from place-to-place and may include evenings and weekends. Occupational Therapist Assistants must have an associate degree or certificate from an accredited community college or technical school. All states require graduates to become certified by passing an examination. Opportunities for jobs are increasing. As the population ages, more people will develop disabilities. That means more people will need the care of Occupational Therapist Assistants.