Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational therapy assistants work under the direction of occupational therapists to provide services to persons whose lives have been challenged due to injury, illness, developmental deficits or aging. Occupational therapy assistants view individuals in a holistic manner and help people prevent, lessen or overcome disabilities so they are able to function more independently in every aspect of daily living. Occupational therapy assistants use therapeutic activities and exercises to improve a client’s skills for performing a variety of important everyday tasks safely and independently in their role at work, home, school, and in the community. Students in this program receive fundamental skills in occupational therapy and extensive clinical training. Successful completion of the program prepares students for careers as occupational therapy assistants in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, mental health centers, assisted living and nursing care facilities, and school systems.

For program costs and fees refer to the catalog TUITION AND FEES PAGE.

Program Learning Outcomes
  • Apply practice models, knowledge and skills through the use of clinical reasoning and thinking to a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, client homes, long term care facilities, retirement communities etc.
  • Demonstrate skill, knowledge and attitudes to successfully pass the national certification examination for occupational therapy assistants and to gain employment and cope successfully with ever-changing workforce requirements
  • Provide skilled treatment that is reflective of evidenced-based practice through the ability to locate current research information, evaluate and apply the information to the populations they serve
  • Describe the role of the occupational therapy assistant and the occupational therapist, the differences in the scope of practice, and the supervision guidelines, both legal and professional
  • Provide occupation-based/medically-based centered care that is reflective both of the environment the client is in, and also of the individuality and unique roles of that client
  • Establish therapeutic relationships with clients, families and caregivers that are representative of an understanding of their self and their impact on the therapeutic process
  • Demonstrate respect and professionalism in all patient interactions despite the differences in culture, beliefs about health and wellness, and lifestyle choices
  • Demonstrate professional behaviors with clients, families, and other healthcare personnel, including communication skills, good work habits and sound judgment
CIP Code
51.0803

Degrees