Occupational Therapist Assistant Courses

This course presents an introduction to occupational therapy; including history, philosophical base, values, ethics, practice framework and clinical reasoning. Students will learn selected theories and frames of reference as they pertain to interventions in mental health, physical disabilities, pediatrics, and community practice areas. An overview of the occupational therapy process, including assessment, treatment planning, treatment implementation and discontinuation of intervention will be presented. Role delineation and collaboration of the occupational therapy assistant with other occupational therapy and health care personnel are discussed.

This course will provide a framework for students to learn about common medical conditions seen by occupational therapy practitioners and to facilitate learning of these conditions from an occupational therapy perspective.  It is not intended to emphasize treatment of a diagnosis, however, students will learn about specific factors unique to given conditions that may impact an individual's occupational roles and functions.  These factors must be understood and analyzed regarding the relative impact on the individual's occupational performance.  The knowledge gained from this course is a necessary prerequisite to Physical Disabilities Practice.

This course is designed to foster various occupations or activities used as therapeutic interventions in occupational therapy. Emphasis on awareness of activity demands, contexts, adapting, grading, and safe implementation of occupations or activities. This course also provides knowledge and use of tools, equipment, and basic techniques of therapeutic media. Emphasis is given to analysis and instruction of activities frequently used as occupational therapy media in multiple community and clinical settings.

This course presents the role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant in the psychosocial area as well as the Geriatric population of Occupational Therapy practice. Students will learn selected frames of reference, and explore the effects of psychosocial dysfunction on areas of occupation. Students will learn skills necessary to assess, implement and document intervention in a variety of mental health settings and Geriatric setting. Client factors, including culture and diversity, therapeutic interactions and methods are studied. Students will develop skills in administering individual and group interventions, professional communication conflict negotiation, and advocacy, This course integrates the Occupational Therapy process and collaboration with the Occupational Therapist though its review of advanced, appropriate select Occupational Therapy therapeutic interventions and techniques used to enhance functional ability and independence in daily life tasks and occupation for the Geriatric and Mental Health populations. The Student incorporates knowledge of the influences of environment, individual, family, cultures and access to Occupational Therapy services on occupational performance. Lab activities, in-class activities, and Level I Fieldwork opportunities will enable students to participate in and apply psychosocial and Geriatric principles to practice.

Treatment of pediatric and adolescent conditions. Normal and delayed development of the infant, child and adolescent are explored. The lab component incorporates theoretical principles and provides opportunities for students to develop assessment, intervention planning and implementation, and documentation skills to address a range of childhood sensory-motor, cognitive, and psychosocial performance deficits. Students will learn to adapt the environment, tools, materials, and occupations to meet the self-care, work/play, and leisure needs of the pediatric and adolescent population. Lab activities, site visits and Level I fieldwork opportunities will enable students to participate in and apply pediatric and adolescent treatment principles to practice.

In this course, students use and apply their knowledge of anatomy and physiology to study muscle groups and their functions relative to performing various activities. Analysis of functional movement patterns required to work, self-care, play, and leisure activities are emphasized. Principles and techniques of manual muscle testing and range of motion are practiced, specifically as they relate to the impact on daily activities.  Principles of energy conservation, joint protection, and work simplification are presented.  Prevention, health maintenance, and safety procedures relevant to functional activities are reviewed.

The course provides in-depth opportunities for students to develop assessment, intervention planning, intervention, and documentation skills to address a wide range of adult and geriatric physical disabilities and conditions typically treated by occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistants. Topics include but are not limited to stroke, spinal cord injury, fractures and joint replacements, head injury, and cardiopulmonary disorders. The use of splinting, orthotics, modalities, and assistive technology in treatment will also be presented. Students will learn to adapt the environment, tools, materials, and occupations to meet the self-care, work/play, and leisure needs of the adult and geriatric population. Lab activities, site visits, and Level I fieldwork opportunities will enable students to participate in and apply physical disabilities treatment principles to practice.

This course is designed to foster practical professional skills in critical thinking, using literature to make evidence based practice decisions and recommendations, and using theory to guide practice, all through the completion of a professional portfolio.

Students will learn the basic roles and functions of an occupational therapy practitioner and the role of occupational therapy in medical, educational, and community models, as well as emerging areas of practice that are predicted to grow in the future. Students explore a variety of work settings, and/or types of practice including OT role delineations in community based and non-traditional settings. The student will study specialty areas through case discussion, enhancement of treatment techniques, review of literature, and current trends. Site visits and volunteer opportunities will enable students to participate in and apply occupational therapy assessment and intervention principles to a wide rand of community settings including vocational, vocational rehabilitation, home  health, and emerging community practice areas. Emphasis will be on community settings in the students' state and geographic region.

This course focuses on the OTA role in managing and directing occupational therapy services. It covers the ethical provision of services, departmental operations, program development, supervisory requirements, personnel development and supervision, professional team building, quality assurance, compliance with regulations, reimbursement, and national and state credentialing requirements. Techniques for developing a resume and job interview skills are practiced. The importance and responsibility for ongoing OTA professional development, ethical practice, contributing to research and evidence-based practice, attention to emerging practice issues and areas, and international perspectives are explored.

Full-time clinical fieldwork experience in mental health, physical disabilities, geriatric, pediatric and/or community based practice working under the supervision of an OTR and/or COTA. Focus is on achieving entry-level competence in planning and implementing interventions.

Full-time clinical fieldwork experience in mental health, physical disabilities, geriatric, pediatric and/or community based practice working under the supervision of an OTR and/or COTA. Focus is on achieving entry-level competence in planning and implementing interventions. Requires 40 hours per week for 8 weeks in an area of clinical practice that is different from Level II A Fieldwork. Level II Fieldwork B must be completed within 18 months following completion of academic coursework. All academic and fieldwork courses must be completed prior to graduation.