An Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) works under the direction of an Occupational Therapist to provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional or developmental impairments with the ultimate goal to improve the client’s quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
In 2018, occupational therapy assistants held approximately 51,700 jobs. The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $61,510 in May 2019. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019.
Prerequisites
The student will need to demonstrate proficiencies in reading, English, and mathematics based on the Mandatory Placement Policy, or by taking the recommended/ required classes. Some of the courses in this curriculum have specific prerequisites.
Program Path Sequence
The listing that follows is a recommended sequence of courses. The student should consult with an advisor for information specific to their academic siituation.
For More Information Contact Peggy Carman - OTA Program Director 785-248-2806 or
pcarman@neosho.edu, or Advising Staff, 620-432-0311
advising@neosho.edu if program advisor is unavailable.
*All A&P Classes must be taken within 5 years of starting OTA classes*
The above general education courses must be completed with a grade of A, B, or C prior to taking OTA courses.
*Students entering NCCC direct from high school are required to enroll in CURR 100 First Year Seminar (SGE)070. Students transferring in 15 or more credits from an accredited post-secondary institution are exempt from enrolling in CURR 100 .
Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS Requirements
**General Education program requiremenst can be taken anytime before OR during semesters of OTA coursework (excluding Fieldwork-Level II semester).**
Accreditation
The occupational therapy assistant program has full accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and the website link is www.acoteonline.org . Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant 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). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Program Outcomes
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Demonstrate an understanding of the history and philosophical base of the profession of occupational therapy.
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Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of occupation and activity, including the interaction of areas of occupation, performance skills and patterns, activity demands, context, and client factors.
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Describe models of practice and frames of reference that are used in occupational therapy.
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Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of occupational therapy interventions and procedures to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in activities of daily living (ADL).
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Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the occupational therapy assistant in care coordination, case management, and transition services in traditional and emerging practice environments.
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Demonstrate the ability to effectively interact through written, oral, and nonverbal communication with the client, family, significant others, colleagues, other health providers, and the public in a professionally acceptable manner.
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Describe the contexts of health care, education, community, and social models or systems as they relate to the practice of occupational therapy.
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Identify the varied roles of the occupational therapy assistant as a practitioner, educator, and research assistant.
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(SGE)010