Occupational Therapy Assistant

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Statewide Program
Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program

This is a selective admissions program. Click here before continuing for more information.

Program Description:

This program is designed to prepare students to work as occupational therapy assistants. Occupational therapy assistants work with patients of all ages whose lives have been affected by impairment or disease. Occupational therapy assistants under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist assist people in overcoming, adapting to, and/or preventing physical and psychosocial problems caused by disease, substance abuse, mental illness, amputation, spinal cord injury, stroke, arthritis and birth defects, to name a few. Occupational therapy assistants help people obtain or regain skills in the areas of self-care, school, work, play and leisure. Jobs may be found in a variety of places such as hospitals, schools, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, home health, and community based centers.

Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program should demonstrate entry-level skills of an occupational therapy assistant; critical thinking skills; practice skills within the standards and ethics established by this profession; are responsible for lifelong learning, and will obtain a general education background sufficient to transfer to a four-year college.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. The ACOTE telephone number is 301-652-2682 (AOTA).

Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the occupational therapy examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Most states such as Maryland require licensure in order to practice. This licensure is based upon the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Students enrolled in the OTA program should be aware that a prior felony conviction may affect the graduate’s ability to sit for the National Certification Examination and/or attain state licensure. For further clarification, contact NBCOT at 301-990-7979 or the Maryland State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice at 410-402-8560.

Admission:
Admission to this program is a separate process from admission to the college. Admission to the School of Health Professions programs is competitive and selective and is based on published criteria. Information about admissions processes for the programs in the School of Health Professions and the Selective Admissions Application form are available in the Office of Selective Admissions in Room J-101 on the Essex Campus or by calling 410-780-6112. This information is also available in the Admissions or Records and Registration office on each campus.

Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, which culminates in an A.A.S. degree, is separate from admission to the college. Admission to CCBC must be completed prior to being considered for admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Only students admitted to the OTA program are eligible to enroll in OTA courses. The admission criteria are:

• Completion of ENGL 101, ENGL 102 (ENGL 239), PSYC 101, BIOL 220, and BIOL 221 with a minimum grade point average of 2.4
• Completion of BIOL 220 and BIOL 221 with a grade of “C” or better
• Completion of BIOL 220 and BIOL 221 within five years of application to the OTA program
• Proof of health insurance coverage which must be maintained during enrollment in program

In order for the OTA selection committee to identify eligible OTA students, all candidates must complete an application and forward official college transcripts for review. For specific information regarding admission into the OTA program, please call 410-455-4482 or visit www.ccbcmd.edu/allied_health/octa_program.html.

This program is designed to prepare students to work as occupational therapy assistants upon graduation and certification. Students wishing to transfer to the professional level occupational therapy program may not receive credit for OTA courses.

The OTA courses are offered in a specific sequence and must be completed as such. There is a readmission policy for students who interrupt this sequence. There is a policy regarding transfer students from other OTA programs. Please call 410-455-4482.

NOTE: All students must complete Level II fieldwork within eighteen (18) months of completion of the academic portion of this program.

Students who successfully complete the requirements for the Occupational Therapy Assistant A.A.S. Degree will be able to:

PROFESSIONALISM:

• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with AOTA Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics and Maryland licensure;
• Know functions of local, state and national professional organizations;
• Demonstrate respect for client and right to self determination;
• Have an awareness of issues/trends affecting the profession;
• Be responsible for own learning and accepting feedback;
• Advocate client rights; and
• Demonstrate a commitment to the profession via participation in AOTA, MOTA, etc.

TERMINOLOGY:

• Demonstrate working knowledge of psychiatric and physical dysfunction diagnoses and medications;
• Demonstrate ability to use medical terms and abbreviations appropriately;
• Demonstrate working knowledge of Practice Framework; and
• Demonstrate working knowledge of terminology found in health promotion and wellness programs.

COMMUNICATION:

• Document accurate treatment information in oral or written format;
• Document adequately to comply with various reimbursement mechanisms;
• Communicate effectively to client, family and healthcare team rationale for therapy and progress;
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity with client/family; and
• Be sensitive to non-verbal communication cues.

ASSESSMENTS:

• Administer selected assessments within the practice guidelines established by AOTA and the Maryland Practice Board;
• Assist with data collection for screening/evaluation;
• Adapt assessments to client's level of function; and
• Recognize need for reassessment of client.

TREATMENT:

• Contribute to development of treatment program;
• Demonstrate strong observational skills;
• Be able to prioritize treatment goals;
• Be able to articulate to client/others reasoning behind treatment program;
• Demonstrate use of the activity analysis for development of treatment program;
• Anchor treatment program on evidence based practice;
• Select, adapt, and sequence treatment activities to maximize participation and independence in client;
• Implement a planned treatment program which promotes independence in performance areas of occupation;
• Use modalities and assistive technology when indicated to promote functional independence in living skills;
• Use self therapeutically in the treatment process;
• Collaborate with other team members/caregivers when implementing treatment program;
• Be knowledgeable about local resources to refer client and/or family members;
• Demonstrate group leadership/group dynamic skills;
• Adhere consistently to safety regulations; and
• Provide emerging skills to contribute to the research of evidence based practice.

School of Health Professions Policies:
Students in the School of Health Professions are expected to conduct themselves according to an honor code, exhibit professional behavior, communicate effectively in English, provide proof of health insurance and immunizations, and must submit to a criminal background check and random urine drug testing. Students are expected to incur costs associated with these requirements.

Program Coordinator:

Judy Blum
410-455-4482 or jblum@ccbcmd.edu