An occupational therapy assistant treats patients using purposeful and meaningful activities. The treatment is holistic including focus on the patients’ physical, cognitive and psychological abilities. Occupational therapists (OT) and occupational therapy assistants (OTA) aid individuals of any age to regain skills needed to participate in productive, satisfactory and meaningful living. Under the supervision of an occupational therapist, an assistant can treat clients with cognitive, physical, emotional and/or developmental disabilities in a variety of healthcare and other settings. After successfully completing an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, the graduate is eligible to take 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 exam, the individual will be a COTA. In addition, most states including Ohio require licensure to practice; however, Ohio and most other state licenses are based on passing of the NBCOT exam. After achieving licensure, the individual will be a COTA/L.

OTA Student Outcomes (NBCOT pass rates and Job Placement rates for 2009-2011 Graduates)

Map of Employers of OTA Graduates

The OTA Program exists to provide excellent and innovative classroom and clinical education to members of our community who pursue the career of an occupational therapy assistant. We will equip these individuals with the tools necessary to practice passionately and successfully. In turn, we will provide the community with superior and compassionate members of their health care teams who can drastically improve the quality of life for the recipients of this care. Ultimately, our graduates will be fulfilled as they touch the lives of people with physical, emotion and/or mental needs in helping them toward independent and productive living.

Occupational Therapy is the art and science of helping others to participate in life with meaning and joy! Practitioners of this profession are occupational therapists (OT) and occupational therapy assistants (OTA). OTs and OTAs work with individuals of any age to develop, recover or maintain the skills needed to participate in occupation (everyday activities) with meaning, satisfaction and productivity. Under the supervision of an occupational therapist, an assistant will develop and provide therapeutic activities and strategies that will help their clients gain the cognitive, physical, emotional and/or developmental skills necessary for everyday life. This may include providing adaptive equipment or techniques necessary to carry out life tasks, providing education and consultation to individuals, families and society, and addressing prevention. The OTA will work with the health care team which may include physicians, nurses, physical therapists, psychologists, social workers, and speech and language pathologists in a variety of settings including: hospitals, school systems, community mental health centers, nursing homes, home health agencies and private practice.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of occupational therapy assistants is expected to grow due to the increased demand for rehabilitation and long-term care services. Average starting salaries for OTAs in the United States are $38,430 (2004). According to the 2007 Rhodes State College Graduate Survey of OTA graduates (who returned the survey) had an average starting salary of $40,691.

Advancing my Career

The University of Findlay, in Findlay, Ohio, has a "2+3" Master's degree program specifically designed ONLY for individuals who have earned their associate degree in OTA and have practiced for over one year. There are other programs in Occupational Therapy throughout the United States which award bachelor's and master's degrees. Contact the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (301-652-AOTA) for current information.

After graduation you must become certified and licensed:

CERTIFICATION

In order to practice, the graduates must take and pass the National Certificate Examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT):

800 South Frederick Avenue
Suite 200
Gaithersburg, MD, 20877-4150
(301) 990-7979
www.nbcot.org

After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). NOTE: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for this exam and attain state licensure.

LICENSING

The State of Ohio requires that a COTA be licensed to practice. It is the assistant’s responsibility to obtain and maintain all appropriate licenses in order to actively practice occupational therapy. The State of Ohio does require applicants to pass a written exam upon initial licensure.

In the State of Ohio, the credential agency’s address is as follows:

OHIO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY, & ATHLETIC TRAINERS BOARD
Occupational Therapy Section
77 South High Street, 16th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6108
614-466-3774
http://www.otptat.ohio.gov

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) at:
4720 Montgomery Lane
PO Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220

http://www.acoteonline.org/

ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA

1. A composite ACT score of 21 or above with individual scores of 18 in English and social science and 20 in math and science or appropriate test scores/ developmental coursework. (See 1a under “Acceptance into an Allied Health Major” in the college catalog).

2. Must have basic computer skills prior to admission to the program. This can be satisfied through high school experiences, life experiences, or completion of CPT-104 or equivalent.

3. A 2.5 grade point average in all previously completed college work based on a 4.0 scale.

Requirement 4 must be met by the time of enrollment in the first Occupational Therapy Assistant course.

4. Twenty hours (20) of documented work/volunteer experience in an Occupational Therapy department/office.

Requirements 5, 6, and 7 must be met by the beginning of the second quarter of the program (prior to the beginning of supervised clinical practice.)

5. Satisfactory physical examination results from a physician to include specified laboratory tests and immunizations. Validation of this requirement must be received by the Occupational Therapy Assistant Chairperson.

6. Current basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation qualifications from the American Heart Association (BLS, Health Care Provider, CPR), American Red Cross (infant, child, and adult CPR; choking victim; AED), or American Safety & Health Institute (Professional level/AED). Must be maintained through graduation.

7. Completion of criminal background check to meet the specifications of some clinical sites. It is each student’s individual responsibility to have this report available to present to the clinical site when requested.

Applicants who do not meet academic requirements may plan a program of study under the guidance of the Academic Advisor for Allied Health to prepare for possible admission to the program.

Admission to this program is limited; therefore, it is advisable to submit application materials as soon as possible.

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE OR CURRENT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STUDENTS

You are at risk if you have been convicted of a prior felony and/or some misdemeanors. You may not be able to participate in clinical education experiences at some hospitals or other clinical sites; therefore preventing you from completing the program. A felony conviction may affect your ability to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (NBCOT exam) or attain state licensure.

Additional Resources

• www.aota.org
• www.nbcot.org>
• www.otptat.ohio.gov
• www.oota.org
• www.stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos166.htm