Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between occupational and
physical therapy?
Occupational therapy personnel often work closely with
the physical therapist in the delivery of services to the
patient/client. Specifically occupational
therapists and occupational therapy assistants are focused on skills
the patient needs to learn or regain in order to resume his life roles
and activities. The goal is not how far a patient can ambulate or how
much he can lift but whether he can ambulate sufficiently to get
across campus to his classes (if he is returning
to college) and if he has sufficient strength in the arms to use a
backpack effectively. Our focus is on all those life activities that
we take for granted and makeup our daily lives.
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2. Can I enroll in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program,
complete all courses and then transfer to Towson entering the
professional level program as a junior?
NO! The CCBC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is
a two year technical level program. It is designed to prepare students
to function as certified occupational therapy assistants under the
supervision of the registered occupational therapist. Courses DO NOT
automatically transfer to the professional level occupational therapy
program. However, most of the general education courses will transfer.
Students desiring to pursue a professional level degree in
occupational therapy are advised to contact those programs directly.
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3. What is the job market like for occupational therapy assistant?
Currently all of the OTA graduates from the past several years hold
jobs. Many reported having a choice of employment opportunities. The
OTA Program frequently receives flyers and phone calls from area
recruiters looking to hire graduates. We have graduates who are
employed in area hospitals and rehabilitation centers, long-term
care/skilled nursing facilities, community based programs for the
elderly and in the school system. With the exception of the school
system, graduates tell us that they are being offered between $35,000
and $40,000 to start. Many are making between $40,000 and $45,000
within a year or two of graduation.
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4. Can I complete this program part-time while working full time?
Students must understand that the Occupational Therapy Assistant
Program is a small program only offering courses one time per year. In
addition, the courses are all pre-requisites to one another and must
be completed in a specific sequence. Thus moving through the program
on a part-time basis is difficult and time consuming.
Students must also be aware that most of the OTA courses have not only
a lecture and lab, but also a Level I Fieldwork component. Level I
Fieldwork is a chance for students to begin to observe and apply what
is learned in lecture and lab in a clinical situation. Students are
often assigned to health care facilities anywhere from two half days
to five full days. This fieldwork is in addition to the lecture and
lab times spent on campus. Level II Fieldwork is full time with few
exceptions.
5. What is Level II Fieldwork?
The two (2) Level II Fieldwork courses are OCTA 266: General Fieldwork
and OCTA 269: Psychosocial Fieldwork. These two (2) courses are
scheduled only after all other academic coursework (general education
and OTA courses) are successfully completed. Assignment to these
courses occurs through the OTA Program's Academic Fieldwork Educator.
This person conducts several mandatory meetings to prepare students
for entrance into Level II fieldwork. These meeting are outside of
class time and are often scheduled during the final semester on campus.
Students must be aware of time commitments and assignment limitations
surrounding this Level II Fieldwork. With few exceptions the Level II
Fieldwork is full time for a total of four (4) months, two (2) months
in general fieldwork and two (2) months in psychosocial fieldwork. The
term "full-time" generally refers to Monday through Friday either 7
a.m. to 4 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, since this is a learning
experience, students should be prepared to spend additional time at
the Level II Fieldwork site, as they complete their progress notes and
prepare for patient treatment sessions for the upcoming day.
Therefore, students are strongly discouraged from attempting to work
during the Level II Fieldwork. In addition, students should make sure
their childcare situation can accommodate the hours expected on Level
II Fieldwork, as well as, have back up plans for "snow days" or when a
child becomes ill and can not attend the regular daycare/school
program. With few exceptions, students are not allowed to miss days
from the Level II field work assignment. Please refer to the Level II
Fieldwork Manual for additional information. Students should also be
aware that the Academic Fieldwork Educator will determine the
assignment taking into consideration the student's learning style,
interests and personal commitments. However, the ultimate goal is to
provide the student with the best well rounded experience to
adequately support successful completion of the national certification
examination.
Students will be requested to comply with several health requirements
imposed by the Level II Fieldwork sites. These may include recent
physical, updated immunizations, recent PPD, CPR certification, and
hepatitis vaccination. The student is required to comply with these
requests and is responsible for the costs associated.
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6. Where can I find more information about the profession of
occupational therapy?
American Occupational Therapy Association -- www.aota.org
Maryland Occupatinal Therapy Association -- www.mdota.org
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy -- www.nbcot.org
Maryland State Board of Occupational Therapy practice -- www.MDOTBoard.org
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