Occupational Therapy Assistant

How do I apply to the OTA program?

If you are not already admitted to the college, you must apply to the college first. The first step is attending an OT Information Session held at the College each month. The goal of these sessions is to review the application process, learn about the program curriculum and expectations. (Dates/rooms are subject to change.) Please call 845-574-4436 for more information or e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

How many students are accepted each year?

We accept 22 students each fall and 22 students each spring. Deadline for Fall admission is May 15 and Spring admission is November 15th. Applications are accepted up to these dates. See Application Process for more information.

How long will the program take me?

The program is 64 credits and requires a commitment of 5 semesters. However, many students complete the program at a slower pace due to the demanding nature of the coursework and their personal lives. We require students to complete the program in no longer than 8 semesters to ensure their knowledge is current in order to succeed in the national certification examination.

Can I complete the program by only attending at night or day?

All of the program’s courses are given one time during a semester. Some are day and some are evening classes. You need to have flexibility in your schedule. The program tries to meet the needs of those who need a day or evening class. The OTA program is not full-time study, but when taking your Liberal Arts concurrently with OTA courses, you may have a full-time caseload.

Do I need to take the English and Math Assessments?

Yes, you must take the English and Math Assessments. If you need any remedial English, it must be completed prior to beginning occupational therapy courses. Even if you are transferring Eng 101/102 credits, you must still take the English Placement Assessment. If you do not place at the Eng 101 level, it may delay your admittance into the program. If you need remedial math, you can begin occupational therapy; however you must successfully complete the remedial math before you begin level II fieldwork.

I already have college credits. Can they be applied to the program?

Yes, once admitted to the college, the Records department will review your transcript and notify you regarding which courses will transfer to the program. An official college transcript should be sent to the Records Office for evaluation.

I already have my bachelor’s degree, what do I do?

If you want to become a professional therapist (OTR) then select an appropriate master’s program. You may choose to complete some prerequisites at Rockland Community College. Visit www.aota.org. They have a listing of all associate, master and doctorate programs according to state.

What other expectations are there for students beyond the academic ones?

The program seeks to build professional responsibilities in its students. We expect our graduates to be empathetic people, and to be caring and show concern for others. Above average interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to interact appropriately with patients, staff and families is essential to the profession. If a student demonstrates a significant lack in these areas, they may be dismissed from the program.

Is it true no grade lower than C+ is accepted by the program?

Yes, all courses in the OT curriculum require a passing grade of C+. The reason for this policy change is to insure that graduates of the program are competent practitioners and are sufficiently prepared to pass the national certification examination.

How many times can I repeat a course?

If you get below a C+ you may repeat an OCC course once more. The program reviews each course that a student wishes to re-take, and admission into a course is based on availability. A higher final grade (B-) is expected for any course re-taken. A second failure in any OCC course results in being dismissed from the program. If you get below a C in a non-OCC course it can be repeated until you do get a C or higher (with the exception of BIO 110/BIO 111) However, if failures persist and it appears college academic work is too challenging, you may be dismissed from the program.

What is fieldwork?

All education programs for health professionals require clinical or fieldwork experiences. These experiences tie what is taught in class to actual experiences students have with clients (patients) in treatment settings. Students get to practice their skills and apply the knowledge they have gained through these clinical fieldwork experiences. These experiences are completed during the daytime hours. Level I fieldwork is part of many of the core OTA courses in the curriculum and these clinical experiences are completed in addition to the semester coursework.

What is Level II Fieldwork?

Level II Fieldwork is experienced at the end of the program when all the academic courses are completed. The student spends the minimum of 16 weeks (full time) in two different sites supervised directly by an OTR or COTA, and treating patients/clients in an occupational therapy treatment program. This level II fieldwork experience are courses OCC 171 and OCC 172 for which the student earns a grade, receives credits and pays tuition. Fieldwork sites are selected to provide the student with strong clinical experiences and are an extremely important part of the occupational therapy education. Students are given 18 months to complete these two experiences.

Are there additional costs or fees associated with the program?

Yes, there is a malpractice insurance fee, the cost of a name tag, and materials fees in several courses.

Can I take courses in the summer and winter sessions?

You can take the liberal arts and sciences courses that are offered in the summer and winter sessions. If appropriate, Level II Fieldwork may be offered during these times.

CAREER IN OT

What Does An Occupational Therapy Practitioner Do?

Occupational therapy uses everyday activities as the means of helping people to achieve independence.

For the person with a physical disability, the first focus is on performing critical daily activities, such as dressing, grooming, bathing, and eating. Once these skills are mastered, the occupational therapy program is built around the skills needed to perform a person’s daily responsibilities, such as caring for a home and family, participating in education, seeking and holding employment and participating in the social structure of the community.

The goals for a client with mental illness are also based on the ability to function independently. In treating mental or emotional problems, the occupational therapy program often includes practice in managing time, working productively with others, and enjoying leisure.

What Tasks Would I Be Performing During a Work Day?

Depending on your employer or the setting in which you work, your occupational therapy career may include:

• aiding the growth and development of premature babies,
• enhancing learning environments for physically challenged school children,
• adapting home environments for people dealing with the effects of stroke,
• analyzing job task requirements for an injured worker, or
• participating in research to measure the effectiveness of treatment activities.

Where Do Occupational Therapy Practitioners Work?

Opportunities for change and variety characterize the outstanding range of career options in occupational therapy. You will be welcomed by employers, including public schools, rehabilitation hospitals, mental health centers, nursing homes, physician practices, and home health agencies. As your career progresses, you will want to consider advancement opportunities in management, specialization, teaching, research, or private practice.

Does Occupational Therapy Offer Opportunities For Individuals Of Culturally Diverse Backgrounds?

The Occupational Therapy profession is actively seeking to expand the number of practitioners representing the many aspects of cultural diversity in our society. Currently, target populations include African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, people with disabilities, and men – all of whom are underrepresented in the field.

For information on financial aid contact:

• The National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education for their publications on financial aid resources for individuals from culturally/ethnically diverse backgrounds (1-800-641-7824).
• The HEALTH Resource Center for a publication on financial aid for students with disabilities (1-800-544-3284)

How Do I Prepare For An Occupational Therapy Career?

To become an occupational therapist, you may choose one of two routes: a post baccalaureate master’s program, or a professional master’s degree program. All Occupational Therapy educational programs include a period of supervised fieldwork experience.

To become an occupational therapy assistant, you must complete either a two-year associate degree or one of a limited number of certificate programs. These programs also include supervised fieldwork experience.

Because entrance requirements, prerequisites, and program components differ from school to school, it is important to get specific information from those programs to which you are interested in applying.

What Prerequisites Will I Need When Applying To An Occupational Therapy Program?

Schools typically require course work concentrating on the biological and behavioral sciences, including biology, psychology, and sociology. Most programs also require volunteer or paid work experience with person with disabilities.

How Can I Learn Which Colleges And Universities Offer Occupational Therapy Education Programs?

A nationwide listing of the more than 200 occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant education programs offered by colleges and universities is available from the American Occupational Therapy Association. The education programs are available on AOTA’s website at www.aota.org; click onto Student Resources for complete listing of schools nationwide.

Source: American Occupational Therapy Association