Occupational Therapy Assistant OTA.S.AAS
Associate of Applied Science - 65 Credit Hours
Division: Health Sciences
Department: Rehabilitation Services
Effective as of Fall 2023
Why study to become a Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Occupational therapy is a healthcare service which uses a variety of skills and techniques including daily life activities, exercises and/or adaptive equipment to help people gain the physical, cognitive, emotional and/or social skills they need to live as independently as possible. In our program, you will have to opportunity to combine biological and behavioral sciences with technical occupational therapy assistant courses. Additionally, you will participate in extensive clinical training, allowing you to have experiences working with people of all ages and abilities.
The employment outlook for occupational therapy assistants is bright, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment of occupational therapy assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2022, with employment expected to increase by 41% or more. OTAs work in settings such as rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, nursing facilities, private clinics, community agencies and private homes.
This area of study might be for you if:
- You would like to work in healthcare profession focused on life skills and rehabilitation.
- You are a person who enjoys meeting and helping other people.
- You enjoy working with a diverse population, performing a variety of tasks.
- You enjoy both problem-solving skills and being creative.
- You want to gain new skills that are in demand across the country.
- Still not sure? A successful OTA should not only have a desire to help people but should also the following attributes: flexibility, creativity, patience, empathy, compassion, problem-solving skills and a desire to work as part of a team.
Occupational therapy practitioners ask, what matters to you? -- not, what' the matter with you?" - Former AOTA President Ginny Stoffel
What is the program about?
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs), under the supervision of occupational therapists, provide services to individuals whose abilities to cope with daily tasks are threatened or impaired by developmental deficits, aging, injury or illness. OTAs help people prevent, lessen, or overcome physical, cognitive and/or psychosocial dysfunction so that they are able to function with maximum independence. The program includes extensive clinical training that must be finished within 12 months of completion of the academic course work. A grade of "C" or higher (77%) is required in all program courses to remain in the program. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is designed to be completed in five (5) semesters on a full-time basis, when the student begins the technical portion of the program. This degree program consists of open enrollment courses (general education and division specific) and program specific courses with limited enrollment. The open enrollment courses may be taken prior to entry into the limited enrollment courses (OTA specific courses). To qualify for entry to limited enrollment courses, please see the OTA Program Specific Applicant Information Packet (PDF) located on the webpage (http://www.sinclair.edu/program/params/programCode/OTA-S-AAS/). Note: For students under age 18 there may be restrictions on participating in certain Health Sciences programs. Any student under age 18 must contact the program director/department chair to discuss whether he or she may enroll.
Program Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate attitudes and behaviors congruent with the occupational therapy profession's philosophy, standards and the OT Code of Ethics.
- Students will earn an Associates of Applied Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant demonstrating readiness to successfully pass the National Certification Exam in order to obtain employment as an OTA.
- Students will select appropriate and meaningful activities and/or occupations as a means of addressing occupational performance, prevention, health and wellness, quality of life, occupational participation, role competence, well-being and/or occupational justice.
- Students will effectively use Occupational Therapy Practice Framework language, technology, professional literature and evidence-based research to make informed practice decisions and to communicate in a professional manner.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to deliver occupational therapy services at OTA entry-level competency under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist (OT) in a variety of settings.
- Students will participate in a minimum of 4 inter-professional education experiences throughout the program.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the role of an individual's sociocultural background on influencing choice of and participation in meaningful activities.
Career Opportunities
Occupational therapy is a health care field in which the demand for personnel continues to increase. There are not enough qualified personnel to fill the demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) the Job Outlook is 40% (much faster than average job growth 2014-2024). Occupational therapy assistants work in hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing facilities, group homes, home health agencies and rehabilitation centers.
Transferability
Formal articulation agreements with other colleges and universities indicate how Sinclair programs and courses will transfer to other institutions.
Prerequisites
- ALH 1101 and BIO 1141 and BIO 1147 and ENG 1101 and OTA 1111
- and Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- and Completion of Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Credentials
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this examination, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and be eligible for licensure in the state of Ohio. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Additional Information
- OTA Program Specific Information
- OTA Program Specific Information Packet (PDF)
- OTA Student Handbook (PDF)
- OTA Essential Functions
- OTA Cost of Attendance
- Health Sciences Applicant Information Packet (PDF)
- OTA Program Mission, Philosophy, and Outcomes
- OTA Faculty and Staff Listing
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE): www.acoteonline.org
Curriculum
Program Accreditation Information
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 ACOTE c/o AOTA, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. AOTA's telephone number is (301)652-2682. www.acoteonline.org/ The program received a 10-year reaccreditation term in 2021-2022. It is scheduled to be reaccredited in 2031-2032.
