Occupational Therapy Assistant

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.