Occupational Therapy Assistant

An overview of the profession of occupational therapy. Includes the history of the profession, professional standards and organizations, ethics standards, working definitions and role deleneations between OT and OTA, and between OT and other allied health professions. Emphasizes presentation skills, APA guidelines and learning styles for program success. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the program.

Supervised self-study of terminology and abbreviations used to describe the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the body systems used in relationship to the practice of physical and occupational therapy. Terms associated with diagnostics, surgery, laboratory tests, pharmacology, and patient care will be included. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the OTA program.

Course offering includes instruction in human anatomy with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, external palpation and identification of structures and relationship to function. Introduction to kinesiology. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 in OTA courses.

Basic overview of disease processes including general pathological responses and the physiology of healing and repair. Description of specific diseases and conditions and the medical and surgical forms of treatment as they relate to rehabilitation. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or better in OTA courses or permission of instructor.

Introduction to the structures and basic functions of the nervous system in relationship to occupational therapy treatment of patients with neurological lesions and disease processes. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or better in previous OTA courses or permission of instructor.

Study of human body structure and function with emphasis on muscles, and circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, and nervous systems. This course is specially designed to meet the needs of students becoming an OTA. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or better in previous OTA courses or permission of instructor.

A survey of human development focusing on the physical, cognitive, psychological and emotional/social processes from infancy through older adulthood. Topics include: Overview of major development theories; common research designs in developmental research; developmental milestones; typical and atypical development, culture and spectrum of “normal”; application of concepts of human development to the practice of occupational therapy. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

This course is designed to give occupational therapy assistant students basic knowledge in patient care, clinical procedures, managing infections, transfer, client handling techniques, assistive mobility equipment in preparation for the patient care and treatment environment. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the OTA program.

Class provides opportunities to develop a foundation of knowledge and skills for the assessment and treatment of occupational performance through activity analysis. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Course explores the role of the occupational therapy assistant in physical disabilities settings. Instruction in occupational performance, restoration techniques for daily living skills, use of assistive devices, and selected occupational performance activities, use of the OT Process. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 in OTA courses.

Course applies occupational therapy principles, frames of reference, and theories integrating Occupational Therapy Practice Framework with occupational performance. Student gains knowledge in clinical reasoning as related to the therapy process, and a more in -depth study of the Occupational Therapy Process. Course also includes evidenced-based practice and the application to clinical decisions as an OTA. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

This course provides occupational therapy assistant students basic knowledge of assessments used in therapeutic environments, introduction to emerging practice areas and activity modification for infant through older populations. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the OTA program.

This course provides occupational therapy assistant students basic knowledge and skills in patient care, clinical procedures, managing infections, transfer, client handling techniques, assistive mobility equipment, and basic physical modalities in preparation for the patient care and treatment environment. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the OTA program.

Lab course explores through functional application, the role of the occupational therapy assistant in physical disabilities settings. Instruction in occupational performance, restoration techniques for daily living skills, use of assistive devices, and selected occupational performance activities. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 in OTA courses.

Lab course provides functional application and practice in human anatomy with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, external palpation, manual muscle testing, range of motion testing and identification of structures and relationship to function. Introduction to kinesiology. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 in OTA courses.

This course provides occupational therapy assistant students basic knowledge and hands-on skills in assessment administration, emerging practice areas and activity modification/fabrication across the lifespan. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the OTA program.

Human development lab applying physical, cognitive, psychological and socio-emotional concepts from infancy through older adulthood to the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. Topics include application of variety of human developmental theories to support optimal development throughout the lifespan; analysis of effect of features of typical and atypical development on occupation and roles; exploration of range of “normal” including role of culture in defining “normal”; analysis of developmental considerations of many aspects of the OT practice framework; identification of everyday examples of developmental concepts in the media and daily life. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

One credit fieldwork course consisting of observation and application of knowledge and skills learned thus far in OTA curriculum to actual OT practice in a physical disabilities setting under direct supervision of a licensed practitioner. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Instruction and application of clinical documentation as needed by the occupational therapy assistant. Course focuses on SOAP notes, goal-writing and articulating observation skills in a wide variety of clinical settings. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Survey of medical, ethical, legal, and psychosocial and relational issues relating to the role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant in the delivery of health care services. Course also includes professional growth, ethics, reimbursement and documentation, patient motivation/communication, assertiveness; adjustment to disability, resume and interview skills, and preparation for continuing education and professional development. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Course provides instruction for effective interpersonal communication in clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on basic listening skills, providing meaningful feedback, and cultivating group skills. This course utilizes both peer feedback and engagement of therapeutic use of self. Prerequisite: 2.0 or higher in OTA courses.

This course is designed to introduce the OTA student to the concepts of management, administrative positions, change theories and financial issues associated with health care. In addition, it will familiarize the OTA with the traits associated with leadership and mentoring within the profession of occupational therapy. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Course addresses acute and chronic psychosocial dysfunction conditions and occupational therapy’s role in providing service. Topics include OTA’s role in interventions, theory, evaluation, and treatment planning. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Course examines child development and occupational therapy practice for individuals from birth through age 21, with a focus on physical and developmental disabilities, neurological dysfunctions and sensory processing concerns. Includes theory, assessment, treatment plan and intervention for this population. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Course addresses acute and chronic psychosocial dysfunction conditions and occupational therapy’s role in providing service. Topics include OTA’s role in interventions, theory, evaluation, and treatment planning. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Exploration of therapeutic approaches with aging population and individuals with chronic disabling conditions. Occupational Therapy Practice Framework as well as productive activities, daily living skills, social participation, medication management, use of orthotic devices and adaptive equipment, work, and leisure are explored. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Hands on exploration of therapeutic approaches with aging population and individuals with chronic disabling conditions. Occupational Therapy Practice Framework as well as productive activities, daily living skills, social participation, work, and leisure are explored. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Course is designed to develop effective interpersonal communication in clinical settings through lab instruction and practice. Emphasis is placed on basic listening skills, providing meaningful feedback, and cultivating group skills. This course utilizes both peer feedback and engagement of therapeutic use of self. Prerequisite: 2.0 or higher in OTA courses.

Lab course examines child development and occupational therapy practice for individuals from birth through 21, with a focus on physical and developmental disabilities, neurological dysfunctions and sensory processing concerns. Includes assessment, treatment plan and intervention, lab experiences related to treatment techniques and demonstration of knowledge of developmental stages in infants and children. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Fieldwork course consisting of observation and application of knowledge and skills learned thus far in OTA curriculum to actual OT practice in both a pediatric and mental health setting under direct supervision of a licensed practitioner. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

This course includes observation of community settings serving the unique needs of older adults who have experienced substantial change in independence due to age related changes. This course will explore how these settings inform the practice of occupational therapy. This is the final level I fieldwork in a setting focused on specific needs (acute and/or chronic) of the older adult. This course will also provide a clinical skills review and practice seminar to prepare for Fieldwork II.. Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

This course is the first half of the eight week Level II fieldwork in contracted community facility. Level II fieldwork is a full time clinical experience designed to develop the student’s skills from those of student to entry level OTA practitioner. The learning objectives for a Level II fieldwork are established by the American Occupational Therapy Association and are the items on the student fieldwork performance evaluation. Supervision is initially ”direct and then decreased to less direct supervision as is appropriate for the setting, the severity of the client’s condition and the ability of the student" (ACOTE C.1.16). Grading option: Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses and Concurrent Enrollment in OTA 263.

This course is the second half of the eight week Level II fieldwork experience. Level II fieldwork is a full time clinical experience designed to develop the student’s skills from those of student to entry level OTA practitioner. The learning objectives for a Level II fieldwork are established by the American Occupational Therapy Association and are the items on the student fieldwork performance evaluation. Supervision is initially” direct and then decreased to less direct supervision as is appropriate for the setting, the severity of the client’s condition and the ability of the student (C.1.16). Grading option: Pass/fail. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses and Concurrent Enrollment in OTA 263.

One of two full time, eight week Level II fieldwork experiences to attain ACOTE requirement of 16 weeks full time fieldwork, in a practice setting different from OTA 253 and OTA 254 Level II fieldwork. The purpose of this Level II fieldwork is for the student to develop skills from student to entry level OTA practitioner in a second practice area. Supervision is initially ”direct and then decreased to less direct supervision as is appropriate for the setting, the severity of the client’s condition and the ability of the student (C.1.16). This course is graded Pass/Fail.

Seminar course designed to augment OTA 251 Level I fieldwork and prepare student for Level II fieldwork. Seminar course focuses on professional behaviors, clinical expectations, therapeutic relationships, professional relationships, fieldwork process, ACOTE and school standards for fieldwork experience, future role as fieldwork supervisor. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Fieldwork seminar hybrid course designed to support the student in deepening critical thinking, understanding during Level II fieldwork, provide classroom support as a learning community during the Level II fieldwork experiences. Grading option: Pass/Fail Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in OTA courses.

Fieldwork seminar online course designed to support the student in deepening critical thinking, understanding during Level II fieldwork, provide online support as a learning community during the Level II fieldwork experiences. Prerequisite: 2.0 or better in previous OTA courses.