Occupational Therapy Assistant

 

A Career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant

 

Occupational therapy assistants help people of all ages develop, regain or master everyday skills in order to live life to its fullest. By focusing on the physical, psychological and social needs of its clients, occupational therapy helps people function at the highest possible level by concentrating on what is important to them to rebuild their health, independence and self-esteem.

 

An occupational therapy assistant is a skilled licensed/certified health care worker who carries out treatment plans under the guidance and supervision of an occupational therapist. These specially trained and credentialed professionals rely on evidence-based best practices and science-driven data to constantly improve patient outcomes.

 

Occupational therapy assistants provide treatment interventions to infants, children, adults and geriatric patients in settings such as public schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, mental health centers, nursing homes and other community settings.

 

 

 

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Description

 

Through Pima's Occupational Therapy Assistant program, you'll acquire the necessary skills for a solid entry-level position as an occupational therapy assistant. Our coursework focuses on medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, growth and development, kinesiology and occupational therapy for mental and physical health.

 

 

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Outline:

 

Course #	Course				Theory	Lab	Extern	Credits
CMT 101	Medical Terminology				16			1.0
CSK 101	Study Skills				16			1.0
BIO 105	Anatomy & Physiology I				48	32		4.0
OTA 102	Introduction to Occupational Therapy				48			3.0
MTH 125	Math and Statistics				16			1.0
CCM 105	Communications for the Health Professions				16			1.0
CCB 105	Computer Basics				16			1.0
PSY 130	Psychology				48			3.0
Semester I Total					224	32		15.0
Course #	Course				Theory	Lab	Extern	Credits
BIO 106	Anatomy & Physiology II				48	32		4.0
OTA 105	Activity Analysis				16			1.0
OTA 106	Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy				32	16		2.5
OTA 108	Growth & Development				48			3.0
OTA 115	Principles of OT in Mental Health				48	16		3.5
Semester II Total					192	64		14.0
Course #	Course				Theory	Lab	Extern	Credits
OTA 125	Kinesiology				32	16		2.5
OTA 201	Documentation for the OTA				32			2.0
OTA 206	Human Occupations I				48	32		4.0
OTA 215	Principles of OT in Physical Health				48	16		3.5
OTA 220	Fieldwork I						80	1.5
Semester III Total					160	64	80	13.5
Course #	Course				Theory	Lab	Extern	Credits
OTA 204	Therapeutic Modalities				32	16		2.5
OTA 208	Human Occupations II				48	32		4.0
OTA 214	Administrative Procedures				16			1.0
OTA 216	Specific Populations for the OTA				48	32		4.0
OTA 225	OTA Seminar				32			2.0
Semester IV Total					176	80		13.5
Course #	Course				Theory	Lab	Extern	Credits
OTA 221	Fieldwork II A						320	7.0
OTA 222	Fieldwork II B						320	7.0
Semester V Total							640	14.0
PROGRAM TOTALS					752	240	720	70.0

 

 

Job Outlook for Occupational Therapy Assistants

 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects demand for occupational therapist assistants and aids will grow 30 percent through 2018, thanks to an aging population who is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitation conditions that require therapeutic services.

 

 

Occupational Therapy Assistant Licensure and Certification

 

Graduates of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program will be eligible to take the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant. This exam is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

 

* Current accreditation status: Tucson, Denver and Renton

* Current accreditation status: Mesa

 

 

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Length

 

Day Classes: Approximately 1 year, 2 months

 

 

For more detailed information on Pima's Occupational Therapy Assistant program specifics, financial aid and lifetime job placement assistance for graduates, please visit your local campus below.

 

Denver, Colorado
Mesa, Arizona
Renton, Washington
Tucson, Arizona