Allied Health

Occupational Therapy Assistant

 

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
4720 Montgomery Lane, PO Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
(301) 652-2682 www.aota.org

 

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DESCRIPTION

   This two-year program prepares students to become entry-level practitioners in the Occupational Therapy profession. The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA/COTA) provides comprehensive OT services under the supervision of an occupational therapist (OT/OTR). OTA's are valued members of the health care team. They assist people of all ages and walks of life to maximize engagement and participation in desired and expected daily life activities through the use of occupations. KVCC has the only OTA program in the State of Maine. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   Applicants to certain programs should be aware that a criminal background check may be required while they are enrolled in the program, or as a condition of employment in the field; that certain internship and/or practicum sites, such as health care facilities, may limit or deny clinical privileges to those who have a prior or current criminal record; and that certain licensing boards may refuse to issue a license to practice based upon prior or current criminal offense(s). To learn more about whether the program or profession you are interested in has such requirements or limitations, please see the Department Chair.

   For students to successfully complete the OTA program, they must be capable of performing the essential skills of the OTA student at KVCC, including professional and critical thinking skills with or without reasonable accommodations.

PROGRAM MISSION

   The mission of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is to prepare students to become competent Occupational Therapy Assistants who will provide Maine with a cadre of qualified and dedicated occupational therapy practitioners to assist its citizens in achieving independence and wellness while maintaining individual choice, human dignity, and personal satisfaction.

EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES

 

   Upon successful completion of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, a graduate is expected to:

1. Successfully pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
2. Demonstrate the use of professional values, consistent with the Occupational Therapy Core Values and Ethics, that allow them to function ethically and responsibly by demonstrating tolerance and respect for diversity of culture, age, gender, and ability.
3. Demonstrate effective communication with clients, families, supervisors, and other members of their work environment using cultural competence.
4. Employ logical thinking, critical analysis, problem solving, and creativity within their scope of professional practice.
   
5. Participate in lifelong learning and professional competency activities as they relate to occupational therapy practice and professional choices.
6. Demonstrate entry level competence as an Occupational Therapy Assistant

SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

   Students who have been accepted into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program must:

1. Agree to work with an outside agency to collect, document, and track required personal healthcare information (immunization status, BLS/CPR, healthcare background checks, etc.) as required by the OTA program. Each student is responsible for the cost of this service. Students are required to meet the OTA program’s deadlines for developing and maintaining a current personal healthcare information portfolio.
2. Have professional liability insurance and healthcare insurance.
3. Have internet access for online/blackboard enhanced coursework and/or discussion.
4. Purchase a KVCC/OTAS identification pin.
5. Be capable of performing the essential skills and functions of the OTA student at KVCC with or without reasonable accommodations.

   All OTA students must assume personal responsibility for transportation and/or other living costs to and from statewide fieldwork education sites.

GRADUATE INFORMATION

   Upon completing the OTA program, graduates:

• are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam (NBCOT• ®) {National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), 12 South Summit Avenue, Suite 100, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150 301-990-7979, FAX 301-869-8492 www.nbcot.org}
• are required to be licensed to work in the State of Maine. {Board of OT Practice, Office of Licensing and Registration, 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333; 207-624-8603; www.maine.gov} (A felony conviction may restrict an individual from obtaining certification and/or licensure.)
• Receive Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) certification based on the educational competencies developed in the OTA program.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

TRADITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

Hospitals	Inpatient & Outpatient Mental Health Facilities
Rehabilitation Centers	Schools
Adults with Developmental Disabilities	Child Development Programs
Skilled Nursing Facilities	Home & Community Health Agencies
Brain Injury Rehabilitation

NON-TRADITIONAL AND EMERGING PRACTICE ENVIRONMENTS INCLUDE:

• Accessibility & Home Modification Specialists
• Work-Related Support Services
• Ergonomics & Workplace Health
• Mental Health Partnerships
• Assistive Technology Development
• Consumer Advocacy
• Health & Wellness Enhancement
• Independent Living Skills/Community Reintegration Specialists

CRITERIA FOR GRADUATION

   Students must complete 70 credits in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, achieve a minimum grade of "C," or "PASS" criteria, in all courses, and attain a final GPA of 2.00 or higher.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

FIRST SEMESTER		CREDIT HOURS
BIO213	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
ENG101	College Composition	3
OTS101	Introduction to Occupational Therapy & Human Occupation	7
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology	3
SECOND SEMESTER		CREDIT HOURS
BIO214	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
OTS102	Occupational Therapy Across the Life Span I	5
OTS103	Functional Kinesiology	3
OTS104	Interpersonal Skills for the Practicing Allied Health Professional	1
PSY215	Developmental Psychology	3
SUMMER SESSION	(Five Weeks)	CREDIT HOURS
COM104	Introduction to Communication	3
OTS105	OTA Fieldwork Education I	2
OTS107	Assistive Technology and OT Practice	1
OTS109	Group Process	1
THIRD SEMESTER		CREDIT HOURS
OTS201	Practice Environments	2
OTS203	Occupational Therapy Across the Life Span II	10
SOC101	Introduction to Sociology	3
______	Humanities Elective	3
FOURTH SEMESTER		CREDIT HOURS
OTS206	OTA Fieldwork Education II-A	6
OTS208	OTA Fieldwork Education II-B	6
	Total Credits for AAS	70

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