April 5th Information Session Set for Those Interested in the Next Semester
ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. (March 30, 2021) – Rockland Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program had a 100 percent pass rate for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam in 2020. In comparison, the national pass rate was 78 percent. The OTA program is a health science curriculum that prepares students to work in a variety of educational and health-related settings. Upon completion of their academics, students must take the national certification exam in order to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. What makes this accomplishment even more significant is that despite the disruption during their clinical internships, and the immense challenges these students endured due to the pandemic, the sixteen RCC students who took the exam all successfully passed on the first attempt.
“We have always been very proud of our OTA Program,” says RCC President Dr. Michael Baston. “The recent 100% pass rate underscores the quality of the program, the commitment to quality teaching standards by our faculty, and the dedication and hard work of the students we serve.”
“We commend Donna Knoebel, Program Director for the OTA Program, and the faculty for this remarkable success,” says Dr. Kathy Hopkins, Dean for the School of Nursing, Health & Wellness. “This also reflects positively on the hard work and perseverance on the students’ part, especially during this challenging year.”
“Despite the disruptions of this past year during their clinical internships, and the immense challenges these students endured,” Knoebel says, “all students who took the exam successfully passed on the first attempt. One of them noted: ‘The program helped us develop the clinical judgement for us all to pass the NBCOT exam,’ and another student told me ‘I feel the program prepared us to tackle both the preparation and the execution of the exam with increased ease. It felt like a natural extension of our studies and testing.’ I am so proud of their success.”
The OTA Program offers entry into one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, a highly rewarding career whose professionals are in great demand. A virtual OTA information session is scheduled for Monday, April 5th at 4 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet OT faculty, learn about the OTA curriculum, program requirements and the application process. Registration must be done in advance.
For those unable to attend the session but interested in pursuing an Occupational Therapy Assistant major at Rockland Community College, email [email protected] for further information and assistance.
About The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
NBCOT is a national not-for-profit organization that provides certification for occupational therapy professionals. It develops, administers and continually reviews its certification process based on current and valid standards that provide reliable indicators of competence of occupational therapy practice. Initial certification from NBCOT is a requirement to receive a license in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. NBCOT also works with state regulators and employers to provide information on credentials, professional conduct and regulatory issues. NBCOT’s certification programs have received and maintained accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
About Rockland Community College, State University of New York
Rockland Community College, State University of New York, offers a safe, supportive learning environment for thousands of students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Thanks to the school’s affordable tuition, students who begin their career journey at RCC and then transfer to a four-year college can save up to $100,000 on their education. RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through its new Career Skills Academy. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.
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