Occupational Therapy Assistant

Associate in Science Degree Program
Contact Hours:
1915
Semester Credits:
81.5
Instructional Weeks – Full Time:
80
Average Time to Complete – Full Time:
20 Months

 

Concorde Career Institute, Miramar, is no longer enrolling students into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. 

Program Overview

Occupational Therapy Practitioners work with clients of all ages and diagnoses. The goal of occupational therapy intervention is to increase the ability of the client to participate in everyday activities, including feeding, dressing, bathing, leisure, work, education, and social participation. The Occupational Therapy Practitioner interacts with a client to assess existing performance, set therapeutic goals, develop a plan, and implement intervention to enable the client to function better in his or her world. Occupational Therapy Assistants provide quality occupational therapy services to assigned individuals under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist. Occupational Therapy Practitioners work in hospitals, clinics, schools, client homes, community settings, even prisons. Acute-care settings provide care immediately after trauma and typically involve short hospital stays. Rehabilitation settings provide longer-term care and intensive therapy from a variety of professionals. Occupational Therapy Practitioners consult with other team members, who may include physicians, physical or speech therapists, social workers, nutritionists, case managers, nurses, educators, and family members. Some practitioners consult or work in the workplace or in specialty settings, such as assistive technology centers. Occupational Therapy Assistant graduates from an educational program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) OTA Certification Examination. After successful completion of the NBCOT examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant, the graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Licensure is required within the state where the COTA will practice. In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT (OTA) Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT (OTA) Certification Examination or to attain state licensure.

Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing this examination are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take this exam, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

Program Mission

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment. At Concorde, the student can acquire theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and professional behaviors that provide graduates with the expertise needed to practice in settings where occupational therapy is currently established and where it is emerging as a service. The program is committed to quality performance, continuous improvement, and student-centered support. In working with professional organizations, regulatory agencies, and the community, information is gathered to maintain the highest practical and clinical standards.

The faculty, equipment, facilities, and fieldwork sites reflect the quality of education that will be provided, along with the organization’s commitment to the profession. Program and student outcomes have been established that reflect the mission and vision of both Concorde Career Institute and the Occupational Therapy Assistant program as outlined by ACOTE of AOTA. Upon completion of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, graduates will have met the established student outcomes and demonstrated competency and proficiency in appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for entry-level practice.

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE): 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929; ACOTE c/o AOTA: 301-652-AOTA; www.acoteonline.org; email: accred@aota.org.

Program Delivery

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is delivered in a blended format. Courses will be delivered entirely online, entirely on-ground or with an appropriate blend of both online and on-ground hours in the same course. Of the 1,915 program hours, a maximum of 440 course hours (23%) may be offered online (including general education courses). Campuses may have the option to deliver general education courses either online or on-ground depending on local need and availability.

Program Objectives

The purpose of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is to graduate knowledgeable, competent, self-assured, adaptable, and service-oriented patient/client care providers. Occupational Therapy Assistant education prepares the graduate to perform holistic therapeutic interventions to address the physical and mental rehabilitation of the whole person. Students will be trained to work under the direction, supervision, and collaboration of the Occupational Therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. Students are trained to complete selected components of data collection and assessment of the patients’/clients’ daily occupations as well as their safety and response to the intervention. Students will be prepared to provide complete therapeutic interventions to address numerous conditions and disabilities for various populations. Graduates are prepared to work not only with the patient/client but also interact with members of the patient’s/client’s family and caregivers to provide the most comprehensive therapeutic experience possible. Graduates are prepared to participate with the Occupational Therapist in providing physical and psychosocial support for patients/clients and their families and caregivers with recognition of individual, cultural, and economic differences. Graduates will be equipped to work as productive members of the healthcare delivery team, by communicating, educating and interacting cooperatively with other healthcare providers.

Course #
Course Title
Pre-Requisites
Co-Requisites
Theory Hours
(Ground/Online)
Lab Hours
(Ground/Online)
Clinical Hours
(Ground/Online)
Semester Credit Hours
Total Subtotal
795
(360/435)
360
(355/5)
760
(760/0)
81.5

* These courses may be offered entirely online or entirely on-ground at the campus.

Students who have successfully completed a degree in Kinesiology, Athletic Training, or other Health Sciences area (Associates or higher) may receive a block transfer of seven General Education courses totaling 21 semester credits, upon evaluation of transcript.  The block transfer includes the courses: BIOL1310, BIOL1320, ENGL1310, COMM1310, PSYC1310, PSYC1320, MATH1310 (or MATH1320).  The remaining credits required to complete the program is 57.  Additional courses may be available for transfer based on review of course descriptions from the granting institution.

Block Transfer Courses

Course #
Course Title
Pre-Requisites
Co-Requisites
Theory Hours
(Ground/Online)
Lab Hours
(Ground/Online)
Clinical Hours
(Ground/Online)
Semester Credit Hours
MATH Elective (Transfer Course)

MATH1310 Contemporary Mathematics or MATH1320 College Algebra

45
(
0
/
45
)
0
0
3
Total Subtotal
315
(0/315)
0
0
21