Professional Standards reflect basic skill sets expected of an entry level Occupational Therapy Assistant. Students enter this program with an understanding that they will be expected to perform these skill prior to graduation. The specific skill sets are as follows:
I. Communication
Need to write concisely and fluently for readability in English
Must be able to read fluently in English
Needs to speak in fluent English to report patient information and oral presentations
Needs to communicate clearly with patient, family and others in English
Needs to use medical terminology and abbreviations appropriately
Needs to understand, follow and give directions in English
Written reports must be legible
Must be able to accurately hear information verbally communicated by the patient, family members and other health care staff
II. Physical Demands
Needs to be able to transfer/lift a patient and/or verbally direct a 3rd person to transfer/lift a patient
Needs to perform passive range of motion on a patient
Needs to be functionally mobile to address the clinical space and equipment and/or patient rooms
III. Clinical Performance
Must be able to visually observe patient performance
Must be able to observe patient performance to progress patient in treatment regime
Need to be able to construct and/or modify a splint
Need to interpret patient performance
Need to perform adaptations
Need to perform gradation
Need to implement the activity analysis
Must be able to work with groups of patients at one time
Needs to be able to observe patient's physical, physiological and psychological response to treatment and make adequate changes as necessary
Must be able to read and accurately understand the occupational therapy evaluation
Must be able to instruct and assist a patient in the performances areas of occupation
Must be able to feel muscle movement, pulse, change in temperature and assess other health needs via the tactile sense
Must be proficient in taking patient's vital signs
IV. Interpersonal Skills/professional behaviors
Must be able to work with patients across the lifespan
Must be able to establish rapport with the patient, family and others
Use therapeutic self to engage patient in therapy process
Must acknowledge and be sensitive of the multi-cultural issues in health care
Needs to accept and understand supervision/direction
Needs to work as member of the health care team and be aware of the chain of command
Must be able to get self to the health care sites on time on a regular basis
Must be able to work with a culturally diverse group of patients and health care professions
Must be willing to contribute and participate in the education of other occupational therapy practitioners
Observe, interpret, and respond appropriately to verbal and non-verbal communication from patient
Uphold the AOTA's Code of Ethics at all times
V. Safety
Needs to adhere to the written/oral safety precautions
Able to follow routine precautions at the health care facility
Must be able to respond independently to an emergency situation
Needs to be aware of potential safety issues with a variety of materials