What is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Program Description
Program Sequence
Program Cost
Class Size
Prerequisites
Core Courses
Program Hours
Working Sites
Potential Salary
Accreditation Status
Certification Exam
Florida Licensure
Program Director
What is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) works under the supervision of an occupational therapist. The OTA teaches individuals with emotional, developmental, and/or physical disabilities new methods or techniques to perform daily activities, and adapts the environment, and/or tasks to maximize independent functioning. "Occupation" (purposeful activity) is used as a means of preventing, reducing, and/or overcoming physical, social, and emotional disabilities in people of all ages.
Program Description
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is a 70 credit-hour AS or AAS degree program, which trains and qualifies graduates to work in the occupational therapy field.
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Program Sequence
The OTA program is a 70 credit-hour program. Additional information on program progression and graduation requirements available by clicking on this link: Program Progression and Graduation requirements.
|
First Year |
|
Prerequisites: These courses must be completed prior to beginning the professional core (OTA) courses.
|
ENC 1101 |
English Composition I |
|
BSC 2085C |
Anatomy & Physiology |
|
PSY 2012 |
General Psychology | |
|
Spring Semester |
Credits |
|
OTH 1001 |
Introduction to OT/Lab |
5 |
|
OTH 2300C |
Psychosocial OT/Lab |
3 |
|
OTH 1520C |
Pediatric OT/Lab |
5 |
|
Humanities |
Any approved for general education |
3 |
|
Summer Semester |
|
|
OTH 1800 |
Level I Psychosocial Fieldwork |
1 |
|
OTH 1802 |
Level I Physical Dysfunction/Lab |
1 |
|
BSC 2086C |
Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
5 |
|
Fall Semester |
|
|
OTH 2420C |
Physical Dysfunction/Lab |
5 |
|
OTH 1014C |
Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology/Lab I |
4 |
|
HSC 2554 |
Principles of Human Diseases |
3 |
|
*MGF 1106 |
Mathematics for Liberal Arts I (*AS degree students |
3 |
|
-or- |
|
|
*MTB 1103 |
Business Mathematics (*AAS degree students) |
3 |
|
Second Year |
|
Spring Semester |
Credits |
|
OTH 2131C |
Activity Analysis/Lab |
4 |
|
OTH 2125C |
Therapeutic Modalities/Lab |
3 |
|
OTH 1019C |
Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology/Lab I |
4 |
|
Summer Semester |
|
|
*OTH 2841 |
Level II Psychosocial Fieldwork |
6 |
|
*OTH 2840 |
Level II Physical Dysfunction Fieldwork |
6 |
|
*All academic courses must be completed successfully before attempting Level II clinical fieldworks.
Note: All OTA students are required to complete Level II Fieldwork within 18 months, following completion of academic preparation. |
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Program Cost
Approximately $10,000 in tuition, books, lab fees, uniforms, medical exams/tests, national certification exam fee, licensure fees.
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Class Size
As of January 2011, twenty four (24) applicants are admitted each year to begin course work in the spring semester.
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Prerequisites
A total of 11 credits need to be completed before starting course work in the OTA Program. CPR and AIDS certifications need to be completed before Level I Fieldwork in summer.
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Core Courses
Core courses consist of a total of 59 credit hours, 14 of which are in clinical fieldwork.
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Program Hours
OTA courses are offered from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., typically 2 to 3 days a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays; or Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, depending on the term). Class schedules
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Working Sites
Typical work sites for the OTA are found in rehabilitation units/centers, general hospitals, out-patient clinics, school system, private clinics, nursing homes, psychiatric units, mental health agencies, forensic facilities, developmental disabilities agencies, pediatric agencies, education, etc.
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Potential Salary
The OTA position may be salaried or hourly; usually 40 hours a week. In Polk County, a COTA may earn an average of $22/hr. if employed full time with benefits.
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Accreditation Status
The OTA Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, PO Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. AOTA's phone number is (301) 652-AOTA.
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Certification Examination
Following completion of academic and clinical work, graduates of the program will be able to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant, administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), 800 S. Frederick Ave., Suite 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150, Phone: (301)-990-7979. The computer-delivered examination is offered on-demand, year-long. After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be credentialed as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
A felony conviction may affect graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification exam.
If you Have a Felony in Your Background:
See information on Good Moral Character Review or email character.review@nbcot.org or call
301-990-7979.
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Florida Licensure
Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Graduates need to apply for Florida licensure upon successful completion of the Certification Exam. Graduates are responsible for requesting information from the state licensing agency and completing requirements for licensure.
A felony conviction may affect graduate's ability to attain state licensure.
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Program Director
Saritza Guzmán-Sardina, M.Ed.,OTR/L
Polk State College
WRH 103
999 Avenue H, NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: (863) 669-2905
Email: sguzman-sardina@polk.edu
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(Revised 12/16/11)