Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
Type: Career, Degree (AS)
Special admissions requirement
Division: Health
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program provides active classroom instruction and extensive field experience in the (technical level) theory and practice of occupational therapy with individuals and populations across the life span within various service delivery models. The prescribed curriculum affords students the opportunity to develop the necessary skills needed to seek employment as an entry-level occupational therapy assistant in a variety of institutional and community-based settings. Job opportunities are available in rehabilitation facilities, general hospitals, outpatient clinics, long term care facilities, home health agencies, public school systems, and various community programs servicing those with or at risk for health related problems and dysfunction.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program is offered in 3 options of study (variations in curriculum sequence) to meet the needs of students. These variations include: 1) a traditional full-time option, 2) a part-time curriculum sequence, and 3) due to the pandemic, the accelerated option of study is scheduled to return beginning of Fall 2024. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the accelerated option of study is scheduled to return beginning Fall 2024. The traditional full-time (2-year) and part-time (3-year) options of study combine general education courses with OTA courses in sequencing of the curriculum. The accelerated option of study is designed for students who have completed the 6 general education requirements of the traditional OTA program [BIO211, BIO212, CMP101, CMP102-150, PSY102, PSY204] and can commit to a full-time day program for an extended 3-semester time frame, typically 13-14 months pending fulfillment of Level 2 fieldwork requirements. OTA courses constitute all of the full-time credit hours within the extended 3 semesters [fall, spring, and summer that extends into the next fall]. Program requirements are the same for each option of study. Further description and outline of the course sequencing for each option of study can be found in the Student Handbook section OTA Program Options of Study.
On an individual basis, graduates of the program have been able to receive transfer credits to professional schools and continue their studies to become occupational therapists. Acceptance of the transfer credits depends on the receiving institution. Students planning to transfer should consult directly with the institution of their choice. NSCC's OTA Program has an official transfer agreement with Salem State University combined BS/MS Program in Occupational Therapy as well as with New England Institute of Technology and Bay Path University OT Bridge Programs where OTA graduates can earn a master's degree in occupational therapy.
The OTA Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA). Graduates of the program receive an Associate in Science degree and are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT). After successful completion of this examination, the individual will be a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice. Licensure in many states, including Massachusetts is based on the results of the NBCOT certification exam. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. In order to practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Massachusetts, individuals must be licensed and work under the supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist.
Students interested in participating in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly, or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship, or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider, may be required to undergo criminal background checks, including a national as well as local check (i.e. Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI)). Depending on the contents of these criminal background check(s), a student's participation in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider may not be allowed, and therefore may impact a student's ability to complete program requirements. Furthermore, please note that eligibility to participate in the program and/or clinical affiliation, internship or field placement as a result of screening requirements, such as criminal background checks, is not a guarantee of eligibility to sit for professional credentialing examination(s) or employment upon graduation.
Information regarding academic accreditation, professional certification and Massachusetts' licensure may be obtained from the following organizations respectively:
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
c/o American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
(301) 652-2682
www.acoteonline.org
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
One Bank Street, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(301) 990-7979
www.nbcot.org
Board of Registration in Allied Health Professionals
Division of Professional Licensure
1000 Washington Street, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118-6100
(617) 727-0054
www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-allied-health-professional
First Year - Traditional Option of Study
Fall
| BIO211 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| OTA101 | Orientation to Occupational Therapy | 4 |
| OTA103 | Occupational Therapy Interventions 1 | 4 |
| OTA105 | Introduction to Group Process | 1 |
| PSY102 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Spring
| BIO212 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
CMP102-150
| Composition 2 Elective | 3 |
| OTA104 | Occupational Therapy Interventions 2 | 4 |
| OTA109 | Medical Conditions in Occupational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| OTA110 | Planning & Implementation of Programs for Health & Wellbeing | 4 |
| OTA111 | Leadership and Management in Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| PSY204 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
Second Year
Fall
| OTA201 | Occupational Therapy Interventions 3 | 3 |
| OTA202 | Advanced Group Process | 1 |
| OTA203 | Mental Health Concepts in Occupational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| OTA207 | Occupational Therapy for Pediatric Populations | 4 |
| OTA220 | Special Topics in Occupational Therapy | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Spring
| OTA204 | Level 2 Fieldwork Practice 1 | 6 |
| OTA206 | Seminar in Occupational Therapy | 2 |
| OTA208 | Level 2 Fieldwork Practice 2 | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Total Credit Hours: 70
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Acquire the theoretical knowledge and application skills needed for competent entry level practice as an occupational therapy assistant within the roles of direct service provider, advocate, and educator.
- Demonstrate commitment to the occupational therapy profession’s core values and ethical standards.
- Engage in continued professional development for best practice in the field of occupational therapy.
- Acquire the minimum requirements necessary to qualify for the national certification examination and licensure to practice as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA).
Occupational Skills required
- Medium work strength to lift, carry and maneuver heavy equipment, to partially or fully support weight of client during transfers to and from various surfaces (bed, chair, wheelchair, mat, toilet, tub, car, etc) and when engaging client in functional ambulation
- Bend and stoop to adjust body parts, clothing and/or equipment when engaging clients in functional daily life activities in all areas of occupation (ADL, IADL, Work, Education, Play/Leisure and Social Participation) and for developmental activities
- Kneel to assist clients who may fall or faint; to perform CPR; to assist clients with mat activities, developmental activities and functional daily life activities in all areas of occupation (ADL, IADL, Work, Education, Play/Leisure and Social Participation)
- Crouch to manage wheelchair parts and hospital beds, equipment adjustment, storing materials; to assist with lower body ADL training; to assist client in seated activities from bed, chair, wheelchair and/or mat
- Crawl for developmental interventions and to engage in mat activities
- Reach for retrieval of items in closets/cabinets, to adjust equipment and to guard client
- Ability to maintain a sustained grasp and handle/manipulate body parts during intervention; grasp and manipulate tools/equipment and modalities used in OT service delivery, including but not limited to pens/pencils, craft supplies, educational supplies, personal care items, positioning devices, functional mobility equipment physical agent modalities, blood pressure cuffs, protective gloves, gowns and masks, computers and assistive technology, adaptive equipment, suspension equipment, etc
- Dexterity to use fine motor skills while performing standardized tests (dynamometer, goniometer, etc); constructing orthotic devices/splints; writing/documenting; adjusting knobs, dials, blood pressure cuffs; donning and doffing protective gloves, masks and gowns
- Stand for extended periods of time and for majority of working shift
- Walk within facility environment (internal) for assigned shift; with facility environment (external grounds, even and uneven surfaces) for functional mobility training
- Push and pull wheelchairs, hospital beds, scooters, Hoyer lifts and other equipment including but not limited to IV poles, oxygen tanks and portable devices
- Balance to assist clients with functional activities, including mobility (even and uneven surfaces)
- Endurance to manage full-time equivalent Level 2 fieldwork experiences and assigned work shifts
- Feel to palpate muscle contractions, circulatory pulses, bony landmarks and identify joint articulation; exert the necessary pressure to form splints; to discern skin texture and temperature to discriminate hot and cold modalities
- Hear verbal directions and requests from health care team and clients/families; heart sounds through a stethoscope, breath sounds, client distress sounds and calls for assistance up to 10 feet away; environmental safety alarms; hear for effective communication between clients, families and co-workers
- See in detail to observe and detect client's movements, facial expressions, changes in skin integrity, sweating, skin color, swelling, muscle atrophy, and gestures of nonverbal communication and performance during individual and group intervention; to observe and attend to the behaviors and needs of up to 10 individuals in a group session; from a distance to observe client behaviors and performance; to detect safety hazards in the environment (water on floor, cords, and other small items) that could pose danger to a client’s mobility/functional performance; in detail to detect/assess BP (manometer dial) and ROM (goniometer)
- Read numbers, letters, printed, typed and cursive writing in fine print, paper and computerized files/records, dials on modality equipment, manuals and forms for administering and scoring standardized tests, client records, directions accompanying equipment, to collect information, screen data and research subject matter in English
- Speak in English language in a clear and concise manner; to communicate in person and by phone with clients, families, significant others, the health care team, and community (report factual data orally; interview clients/family; explain role of occupational therapy and purpose of interventions)
- Respond to clients with communication disorders (aphasia, hearing loss), or those who use ELL
- Comprehend oral and written language, including health care terminology in order to communicate with clients, families, significant others, healthcare providers and community
- Write in English, clearly and legibly for recording client specific data and general service delivery information in handwritten charts and computerized systems of documentation; In proper English using various electronic communication systems (email, etc.) to communicate with educational and professional community
- Think critically for sound clinical judgment in the delivery of occupational therapy services (plan and implement appropriate client-centered interventions; problem solve to make adjustments in therapeutic interventions based on appropriate and inappropriate physiological and psychological responses by clients; determine need for consultation with occupational therapist and other health care providers/team members)
- Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations
- Remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies, and respond to patient situations, i.e. falls, pain, or changes in physical or mental status
- Prioritize multiple tasks and maintain composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Sustain concentration to attend to demanding and continuous tasks throughout work shift (direct client care and service management tasks)
- Exhibit social skills necessary to interact effectively with clients, families, supervisors, co-workers and community members of the same or different cultures with respect, compassion, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork, and discretion
- Maintain personal hygiene consistent with the close, personal contact associated with client care
- Display attitudes and actions consistent with the core values ethical standards of the occupational therapy profession
- Display attitudes/actions to effectively engage in the supervisory process including acceptance of feedback, modifying behavior in response to feedback, and providing feedback
- Display attitudes/actions to approach workplace problems in a mature and responsible manner; seek and utilize effective strategies to resolve problems
- Abide by established policies and procedures of educational and health care institutions
Experiential Learning Required in Program
- OTA101 Orientation to Occupational Therapy
- OTA110 Planning & Implementation of Programs for Health & Wellbeing
- OTA203 Mental Health Concepts in Occupational Therapy Practice
- OTA204 Level 2 Fieldwork Practice 1
- OTA207 Occupational Therapy for Pediatric Populations
- OTA208 Level 2 Fieldwork Practice 2
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
Top Transfer Institutions
OTA-OT Bridge Programs where OTA graduates can continue their education to become occupational therapists.
- Salem State University
- New England Institute of Technology
- Bay Path University