Associate in Science Degree

(74 Credit Hours)

Program Director

Debra Chasanoff
941-752-5346
ChasanD@SCF.edu

Program Goal

The program prepares graduates to become occupational therapy assistants. The occupational therapy assistant uses functional activities as treatment to assist individuals of all age groups to live as independently as possible. Graduates of the program are eligible for the national certification examination of the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Most states also require licensure in order to practice; state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

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 6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 200, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852-4929. AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. For more information about program accreditation or ACOTE, go to www.acoteonline.org.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Use problems solving and critical thinking skills supported by their knowledge and skills to provide optimal occupational therapy services for culturally diverse clients throughout the lifespan.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of occupation and how engaging in occupations can be used to affect human performance and the effects of disease and disability.
  • Assist the Occupational Therapist in gathering assessment data through the use of interviewing skills, screening mechanisms, and testing procedures.
  • Collaborate with the client, significant others, therapist, and other members of the health team to develop an individualized plan of care based on the client’s occupations.
  • Select, adapt and sequence relevant purposeful activities related to the plan of care correctly by engaging clients in occupations focusing on the interaction of performance in areas of occupation including performance skills, performance patterns, context, activity demands and client factors.
  • Employ logical thinking, critical analysis, problem solving and creativity in the occupational therapy process.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the use of technology to support performance, participation, health and well-being.
  • Identify individual client needs and use available resources to assist in meeting those needs.
  • Establish a client-professional relationship to engage in a collaborative treatment planning process
  • Participate with the client, significant others, therapist, and other members of the health team in evaluating the individual’s progress toward meeting identified goals.
  • Acknowledge and understand the importance of engagement in occupation to support participation in context or contexts to promote the achievement of health and wellness.
  • Demonstrate an appreciation for the individual’s perception of quality of life, well-being, and occupation to promote health and prevention of injury and disease.
  • Recognize the effects and contributions of beliefs, values and cultures as well as the roles of family in the treatment process.
  • Implement group interventions based on principles of group development and group dynamics across the lifespan.
  • Facilitate discharge planning including identification of community, human and fiscal resources; recommendations for environmental adaptations; and home programming.
  • Describe the contexts of health care, education, community, and social systems as they relate to the practice of occupational therapy.
  • Be prepared to advocate as a professional for the occupational therapy services offered and for the recipients of those services.
• Use the processes of communication, organization, and collaboration to assist in managing occupational therapy services.
  • Establish positive professional relationships in the health care setting.
  • Use communication skills in interacting with clients and their significant others to foster the individual’s progress toward meeting identified goals.
  • Communicate orally and document in writing, client responses to intervention techniques utilized in treatment.
  • Demonstrate effective management skills in planning and implementing occupational therapy activity programs.
  • Utilize the teaching-learning process with the client, family and other colleagues, other health providers and the public with collaboration with the occupational therapist and learner to identify appropriate educational methods.
  • Understand the models of health care, education, community and social systems as they relate to the practice of occupational therapy.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of health literacy and the ability to educate and train the client, caregiver, and family and significant others to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as prevention, health, maintenance, health promotion and safety.
  • Understand the professional relationship including the roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant in the service delivery process.
  • Effectively communicate and work inter-professionally with those who provide services to individuals and groups in order to clarify each member’s responsibility in executing an intervention plan.
  • Demonstrate skills of collaboration with occupational therapists and other professionals on therapeutic interventions.
  • Articulate the role of the occupational therapy assistant in care coordination, case management, and transition services in all practice environments.
• Incorporate values and attitudes congruent with the profession’s standards and ethics.
  • Maintain confidentiality of client information.
  • Utilize the AOTA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for the Occupational Therapy Assistant to guide professional practice.
  • Follow standards of practice specific for the occupational therapy profession.
  • Assume responsibility for making professional decisions and practicing within the ethical and legal framework for occupational therapy assisting.
  • Promote life-long learning to meet the needs of a diverse and changing environment.
  • Demonstrate professional behaviors when working with clients, families and other professionals.
  • Demonstrate therapeutic use of self, including one’s personality, insights, perceptions and judgments, as part of the therapeutic process in both individual and group performance.
  • Demonstrate professional advocacy by participating in organizations or agencies promoting the profession of occupational therapy.
• Use resources for continued personal and professional growth to ensure a level of practice consistent with current and accepted standards.
  • Articulate how scholarly activities and literature contribute to the development of the profession.
  • Identify how scholarly activities can be used to evaluate professional practice, service delivery, and/or professional issues.
  • Demonstrate active involvement in professional development, leadership and advocacy.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of global social issues and prevailing health and welfare needs of populations with or at risk for disabilities and chronic health conditions

Program Entrance Requirements

1. Earned grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or better on ALL general education courses required by the program toward the degree and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 to meet graduation requirements.
2. Satisfactory completion of any remedial coursework needed to be eligible for college/credit level courses.
   NOTE: Prerequisite courses may be required for ENC 1101  and mathematics any Area II, A.S.* .These prerequisite courses MUST be taken and sucessfully completed PRIOR to entry into OTH 1001 . Consult the course descriptions in the Catalog or the specific department of the College for additional information.
3. Prerequisite courses MUST be completed with a grade of “C” or better at the time of application to be considered for priority acceptance.
   Prerequisite courses:
   BSC 2085C - Anatomy and Physiology I  *
   BSC 2085L - Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory  *
   Mathematics Any Area II, A.S.  *
   PSY 2012 - General Psychology  *
   ENC 1101 - Written Communication I *
4. A minimum grade of “C” is required on all courses applied to the Occupational Therapy Assistant degree.
5. A completed application for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program and the nonrefundable application fee of $20. (A separate application is required for admission to the College.)
6. Degree Works “What if Analysis submitted directly to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.

Upon acceptance, the following are required:

1. A statement of satisfactory physical and mental health and a record of current serum titers verifying immunity from communicable diseases from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner. (Form to be provided after admission to the program.)
2. A criminal background check (form to be provided after admission to the program) and drug screen.
3. Successful completion of Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider course offered through the American Heart Association.
4. Mandatory attendance at the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program orientation. (Date to be announced.)
5. To submit to a drug screening as a condition for remaining in the program.

Students are admitted to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program ONCE a year in the Fall term. This is a limited enrollment program. Completion of all or part of the general academic courses required in the degree does not guarantee acceptance into the program. However, priority is given to applicants who, at the time of application, have completed the most hours toward the degree and who submit their applications during the priority period. GPA (grade point average) on the general education courses required by the program will be the determining criteria. After the priority period, applications will be accepted on a space-available basis.

For additional program information including admissions requirements and application instructions check the program website at: http://www.scf.edu/OTA