/Institutions/Laredo-Community-College/json/2022-2023/Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Laredo-Community-College/json/2022-2023/Catalog.json

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTHA)

Description

The Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum (OTHA) is a two-year integrated program taught over five semesters. The student is provided with the opportunity to master the theories and principles of treatment which permit him/her to work with patients to relieve impairments, overcome disability, and restore movement, skills, and function. Classes include lecture and laboratory sessions to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of an entry-level occupational therapy assistant. The Occupational Therapy Assistant is a health care professional working directly under the supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist. Activities may include training in basic tasks of bathing, dressing, and cooking, or may be as complex as the use of computer assisted communication, driver rehab, animal assisted therapy, or work simulator devices. Graduates from Laredo College are awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Therapy.

Accreditation and Licensure

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by:

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

c/o Accreditation Department American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 200

Bethesda, MD 20852-4929

(301)652-AOTA (2682)

(301) 652-7711 Fax

(800) 337-8555(TDD)

E-mail: accred@aota.org

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 graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure.

Contact can be made at www.ecptote.state.tx.us for questions regarding eligibility for licensure or www.nbcot.org for certification questions.

Clinical Education

The student is assigned to hospitals or other health care facilities to develop clinical skills under the supervision of assigned facility staff. Three part-time and two full-time clinical experiences are scheduled at appropriate times within the curriculum. The student must master technical standards that represent the essential non-academic requirements of a successful Occupational Therapy Assistant. The clinical experiences may include assignments at facilities in Laredo or in surrounding geographical areas. Applicants should be aware that they will be required to work with clientele who may speak only Spanish; thus, the ability to speak the Spanish language is a definite asset.

Application/Admission Process

1. Follow the application process for the Health Sciences Programs. Please contact the Health Sciences Department at the College of Health Sciences rooms B304, B306 and B307 or call 956-721-5261 for the application deadline.
2. In addition, to the Health Sciences Programs Application, the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program requires written, notarized evidence of 40 hours or more of completed volunteer work. The volunteer hours must be completed within the following guidelines:
   • Site Visit will be no less than a total of 40 hours of observation at one clinic.
   • Student may elect to divide their observation into two clinics with a total of 20 hours completed at each clinic.
   • The student is responsible to have the OTA applicant recommendation form(s) completed by the clinician(s) at the end of the observation period. The form(s) must be sealed and signed across the seal by the clinician(s) and mailed or hand delivered to the OTA Program.
   • Documents are due on the 2nd Friday in June.

     **Application deadline is due on the 2nd Friday in June.**

   • Observation hours must be completed within a year prior to submission of application.
   • One year of work experience in the area of occupational therapy on facility letterhead may be substituted in lieu of the volunteer hours. Your immediate OT/OTA supervisor must fill out the required recommendation form located in the Clinical Site Visit/Observation Packet.
3. OTHA applicant must have completed pre-requisites BIOL 2301, BIOL 2101, PSYC 2314, ENGL 1301, and OTHA 1305.
4. Admission into the OTA Program is based on achieving a minimum of 60%. Candidates will be ranked based on total percentage points awarded from 100% to 60% on the following criteria:
   1. Degree-Specific grade point average GPA (40%): Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and a minimum grade of "C" or better in required academic and degree-specific pre-requisite courses. Student must follow OTA program curriculum plan valid for the cohort entrance year.
   2. Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) (30%). Students will be ranked according to scores arranged from highest to lowest. Additional information regarding this test can be found at http:/www.insightassessment.com/Products/Critical-Thinking-Skills-Test/Healths-Science-Reasoning-Test-HSRT
   3. Panel Interview (20%)
   4. Narrative Essay (10%)
5. The top finalists who meet the required GPA, pre-entrance exam scores, and the OTA Applicant Recommendation Form will be considered for the panel interview. Up to 18 finalists who score the highest on the four admission criteria (GPA, Pre-Entrance Exam, Panel Interview, Evaluation Forms) will be accepted for the spring semester.
6. The applicant who is selected will be notified by the email address provided on the application regarding the program admission status. The applicant who is not selected for admission into the program may re-apply the next application period and complete all admission requirements described in the Admission Process. The applicant who is accepted for admission into the OTA program, but who does not enroll, forfeits his/her space and will need to re-apply for admission. Applicants desiring to re-apply must submit a letter of intent and must update their application.
7. Students will be ranked based on the highest percentage points awarded, and a maximum of 18 students will be accepted. Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program admissions requirements may not be admitted to the program.

Acceptance

A student accepted into the OTA program must submit the following prior to the first day of class (the student is responsible for all fees associated with these procedures):

Program Requirements

Prior to first day of class, the students who have met all of the program acceptance requirements and have been selected to the program must show documentation of a cleared criminal background check through https://www.sentryMD.com. A record of any criminal conduct while in the program must be disclosed to the Program Director immediately. The student will not be able to continue with the OTA program.

Student must be college ready as per Texas success Initiative (TSI) requirements.

Once a student has been accepted into the program, the following documents and immunizations:

1. Immunization records including:
   • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)- 2 doses or Positive Titer, Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of two doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
   • Varicella Titer documenting immunity, Parent/physician validated history of Varicella disease (chickenpox), or two doses of Varicella vaccine.
   • Complete the Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine series prior to direct patient contact. Serologic confirmation of immunity to the hepatitis B virus is acceptable.
   • One dose of Tetanus-Diphtheria and Pertussis (TDaP) every ten years
   • Bacterial Meningitis- Legislative Bill 1107 requires that all college students must receive the vaccine by 2012 (see Laredo College catalog for bacterial meningitis criteria).
   • Hepatitis A
   • Influenza vaccine (annually)
2. TB skin test (annual) or chest x-ray results (every 5 years)
   • Two Step TB test upon entering and one TB Test annually thereafter. Two Step TB consists of either the following:
   • Proof of one TB test within the past 12 months and one TB test administered upon entering, or
   • Two TB tests administered 1 week apart upon
3. Tetanus shot (every 10 years)
4. Negative (clear) criminal background check completed through https://www.castlebranch.com/online_submission/package_code.php (annual)
5. Negative 10 panel drug screen completed through https://www.castlebranch.com/online_submission/package_code.php (annual)
6. A complete physical examination.
7. Submit evidence of current basic CPR certification for health care professionals approved by the American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider. Certification must remain current for the duration of the program.
8. Purchase and maintain current student liability insurance (fees are paid with registration on an annual basis).

**The student is responsible to create a compliance tracker account with CastleBranch and can be accessed via the following link: https://www.castlebranch.com/online_submission/package_code.php. Package code LA22. The student will assume responsibility for the costs of the account, immunizations, criminal background check, drug test and medical services.

Computer Requirements for Distance Education Courses

A high-speed Internet connection is suggested for best results with your Canvas LMS online coursework. The Internet browser is an important factor in making sure that your online course works adequately during the semester. Canvas supports the last two versions of every browser release; however, we highly recommend that you update your browser's flash plug-ins and to update often your computer's browser to the latest version. To avoid technical issues, we would like to recommend that you use either Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari. The following links will help you determine if you have the appropriate Canvas browser and computer requirements.

Progression in the OTA Program

Complete all pre-requisite and degree plan courses with a grade of "C" or better. Additional program specific requirements may apply. Refer to the OTA Student Handbook.

Withdrawal

A student considering withdrawal from an OTA Program course should refer to the OTA Student Handbook and make an appointment with the instructor and Program Director.

Attendance

The OTA Program follows the LC attendance policy for academic/didactic courses. All clinical education courses require attendance in order to be in compliance with accrediting agencies. Please refer to the attendance policy in the OTA Student Handbook.

Dismissal

The student should refer to the dismissal policies listed in the OTA Student Handbook.

For further information about the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program contact the Interim Program Director, Lorinda Harris, COTA, MOT by email at lorinda.harris@laredo.edu.  The offices of the Allied Health Department are located on the third floor of the College of Health Sciences building, rooms B304, B306 and B307 and the offices  for the Program Director and faculty for the occupational Therapy Assistant Program are located on the third floor of the College of Health Sciences building, room B304 and B306 at Laredo College South Campus, 5500 Zapata Hwy, Laredo, Texas 78046.