Program: Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Program Code: (OTA)
Program Faculty: Christiansen*, Crea, Jones, Kloetzke, Ricker (*program director)
Program Description:
The Occupational Therapy Assistant major is part of the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Other majors in this department are described under Baccalaureate Programs, Occupational Science and in the Graduate catalog under Occupational Therapy.
Occupational therapy is a profession that focuses on enabling people to engage in human occupation, which means to participate in the "day-to-day" activities that are meaningful to their lives. Through their interventions, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help individuals/groups regain and or maintain health, as well as function, by engaging them in a variety of occupations that promote and maintain physical, cognitive, spiritual and emotional health.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work in collaboration and cooperation with each other to plan and implement intervention programs. Populations served by occupational therapy can be found in a wide variety of settings. Some of these include educational settings, community settings and healthcare such as: schools, adult day care programs, businesses, sheltered workshops, camps, home programs, community centers, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant major includes instruction in the basic concepts of occupational therapy, interpersonal skills, group dynamics, group leadership skills and the use of human occupation in enabling occupational performance. Student learning outcomes are identified as competencies and are based upon the occupational therapy process. The curriculum is competency based and is designed and staffed to allow frequent contact with the faculty. It offers the student exposure to many different learning experiences including: small group discussions, role-playing, simulations, guest speakers and lectures. Several fieldwork experiences occur throughout both years in which the student works directly with clients and therapists in a variety of settings.
Students who complete all program requirements earn the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.
LENGTH OF PROGRAM
The program requirements are to be completed over one summer session and two academic years. Level II Fieldwork must be completed in a timely manner in accordance with the curriculum design.
ACCREDITATION
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, Md. 20824-1220. ACOTE's number at AOTA is (301) 652-2682.
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE
Graduates of the program are able to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Many states have some form of regulation in order to practice, and in Minnesota occupational therapy personnel must be licensed with the Minnesota Department of Health. Generally, state regulations are based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination.
LIMITATIONS RELATED TO CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE
When graduates apply to take the certification examination with the NBCOT, they are asked to answer questions related to the topic of felony convictions. For further information on these limitations, contact NBCOT at 800 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877-4150. The phone number for NBCOT is (301) 990-7979.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services requires all students going into a clinical setting have a background check. Background checks are done within the first two weeks of class and the College provides all forms. There is no cost to the student.
Major Requirements: Required courses:
OSOT 102 Role of the OTA
OSOT 103 Human Occupations I
OSOT 104 Clinical Conditions
OSOT 105 Human Occupations II
OSOT 121 Client Support Skills
OSOT 125 Aging
OSOT 127 Level I Fieldwork
OSOT 130 Therapeutic Applications I
OSOT 230 Therapeutic Applications III
OSOT 233 Therapeutic Applications II
OSOT 235 Level II Fieldwork
OSOT 236 Level II Fieldwork
OSOT 240 Practice Models and Professional Issues I
OSOT 241 Practice Models and Professional Issues II
OSOT 325 Group Dynamics and Leadership (OTA students must take section MA)
Supporting courses:
BIOL 200 Summer Science Immersion or BIOL 240 Anatomy & Physiology I
PSYC 202 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
HIMP 102 Medical Terminology
SSCS 100 Power and Social Change
Liberal Arts & Sciences core and CIL requirements:
PSYC 100 General Psychology
ECOL 200 Human Ecology
ENGL 110 Composition I
PHIL 200 Ethical Problems in Healthcare
CIL 150 Transcultural Learning through Community Connections
ART elective
ENGL elective
THEO elective
(An additional SSCS elective must be taken if a student transfers with only four credits in Anatomy and Physiology.)
