Occupational Therapy Assistant

This course will focus on the observations, analysis, and performance of human occupation in work, self-care, and play/leisure throughout the lifespan. The major emphasis of this course is analysis of occupations and occupational performance through activity analysis. The process of teaching and learning and the language of occupational therapy will be incorporated.

This course will center on the occupational therapy process in relation to individuals with psychosocial conditions and/or challenges across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on historical and theoretical overview, clinical characteristics and medical management, assessments and intervention, evidence-based practice, and issues impacting holistic psychosocial OT practice.

Students will be placed on a Level I Fieldwork experience for 30 hours that offers students an opportunity to observe and assist practitioners and/or staff working with people who have psychosocial conditions. Students will observe client assessment and intervention, as appropriate, and learn about issues impacting holistic psychosocial occupational therapy practice. The Level I Fieldwork experience provides opportunities to apply academic course preparation in a psychosocial setting. This course is Pass/Fail (P/F).

This course provides training in professional documentation, record keeping for accountability and reimbursement. Focus is also on other verbal and nonverbal professional communication. Content includes structure and function of daily note writing, patient/client evaluation such as data gathering, reassessment, treatment recommendations, home programing and discharge planning. Students learn to write behavioral objectives and assist the occupational therapist with goal writing. Documentation for quality assurance, insurance systems, and various methods for documentation are explored. Legal and ethical implications for documentation are included.

A review of human development from birth through adolescence provides an understanding of behavior in children and adolescents. Emphasis is placed on occupational performance of typical and atypical individuals, theory and application, frames of reference, evidence-based practice, the occupational therapy process, and roles of the OT and OTA in the delivery of holistic pediatric services in various practice settings.

Students will be placed on a Level I Fieldwork experience for 30 hours that offers students an opportunity to observe and assist practitioners and/or staff working with typical and atypical children and adolescents. Student will observe client assessment and intervention, as appropriate, and learn about issues impacting holistic pediatric occupational therapy practice. The Level I Fieldwork experience provides opportunities to apply academic course preparation to practice settings working with children and adolescents. This course is Pass/Fail (P/F).

This course will emphasize occupational performance of typical and atypical individuals, theory and application, frames of reference, evidence-based practice, the occupational therapy process, and roles of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant in the holistic delivery of physical rehabilitation services in various practice settings.

Students will be placed on a Level I Fieldwork experience for 30 hours that offers an opportunity to observe and assist practitioners and/or staff working with typical and atypical adults and the elderly. Students will observe client assessment and intervention, as appropriate, and learn about issues impacting holistic adult and the elderly occupational therapy practice. The Level I Fieldwork experience provides opportunities to apply academic course preparation to practice settings of adult and the elderly populations. This course is Pass/Fail (P/F).

This course is designed to examine professional issues related to standards of practice and the code of ethics. Role delineation of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant will be discussed as well as supervision requirements in fieldwork and in the professional field. Students will investigate professional issues, the role of agencies and associations that support and regulate occupational practice and advocacy roles of the occupational therapy assistant. Students will analyze issues and make decisions to resolve personal and organizational conflict in support of clinical practice. Student will use evidence-based practice to support decisions made in collaboration with the OTR and other professionals.

Level II Fieldwork A is a full-time, eight-week fieldwork educational course for students to gain experience in an approved setting focused on helping individuals regain social, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual and physical wellness. Students apply academic knowledge and skills to gain entry level competencies under the graded supervision of a licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. 240 contact hours. Pass/Fail course.

Level II Fieldwork B is a full-time, eight-week fieldwork educational course for students to gain experience in an approved setting focused on helping individuals regain social, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual and physical wellness. Students are assigned to a setting offering diverse experiences from those gained in Level II Fieldwork A. Students apply academic knowledge and skills to gain entry level competencies under the graded supervision of a licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. 240 contact hours. Pass/Fail.