Occupational Therapist Assistant
Program Director: Helen Grotham
Clinical Coordinator: Mike Melton
Important: Any student wishing to apply for admission to the OTA program in Fall 2008 must attend one of the pre-admission conferences listed above. All meetings will be held in the OTA classroom, Rm. 102 in the Academic building on the Health Campus. The meeting will last approximately one hour.
Program Description
Occupational Therapy Assistants provide service to those individuals whose abilities to cope with tasks of living are threatened or impaired by developmental deficits, the aging process, physical injury or illness, and/or psychological or emotional disorders. Occupational Therapy Assistants collaborate with Occupational Therapists in planning and carrying out treatment programs. The OTA program provides students the opportunity to develop entry level skills, attitudes, and knowledge necessary to perform in a variety of professional settings under the supervision of a Certified Occupational Therapist. OTA’s may work in a variety of areas from hospitals to nursing homes or rehabilitation centers.
Available Credentials
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
| Area | Hours to Complete |
Curriculum Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | 71-76 | Download (RTF) |
Licensure and Accreditation
The OTA Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) a division of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824. Phone number: (301) 652-(AOTA). Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Most states require licensure in order to practice, however, state licensure are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
Employment Opportunities
Employment is available in rehabilitation units, schools outpatient clinics, long term care facilities, home health agencies and a variety of community based programs. Entry level wages in Kentucky is $25,000 to $35,000.
Admission Requirements:
The following should be submitted to the Office of Admissions for admission to this program:
- Application for admission
(154 K) - High School transcript or GED
- ACT, COMPASS, or ASSET scores
- Transcripts of all previous college work
- Age verification (must be 18 years of age)
The following must be completed before being accepted into the program:
- Attend pre-admission conference
- Submit request for program admission
- Complete all prerequisite courses or be able to complete prior to start of Fall term
- Document 10 observation / volunteer hours in an occupational therapy setting using the Clinical Evaluation form (14 K) and the Clinical Verification form (15 K)
- Schedule an appointment with an advisor
- Schedule and complete an interview with the admissions committee
Projected Program Cost
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition (3+ semesters) | $3,528.00 |
| Books | $1200.00 |
| Hepatitis Vaccines | $120.00 |
| Liability Insurance | $20.00 |
| Lab Coat | $50.00 |
| AOTA, KOTA, WSOTA Dues | $100.00 |
| NBCOT Certification Fees | $450.00 |
| Cap, Gown, Diploma Cover for Graduation | $40.00 |
| Watch with Second Hand | $30.00 |
|
Miscellaneous Items (transfer belt, goniometer, craft materials etc.) |
$250.00 |
| Total | $5,642.00 |
Length of Program
The program is 18 months. Courses are offered during three 16-week semesters (August – December and January – May) with a clinical experience scheduled during the summer between semesters.
Classes Needed
Prerequisites
- ENG 101 Writing I
- ENG 102 Writing II
- MT 110 Applied Mathematics
or - MT 150 College Algebra
- COM 181 Basic Public Speaking
or - COM 252 Interpersonal Communication
- BIO 137 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIO 139 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- CIS 100 Introduction to Computers
or - CPU 150 Introduction to Computers
or - GE 150 Computer Literacy
- PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
or - PY 110 General Psychology
- PSY 223 Developmental Psychology
- SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
- OTAI 100 – Introduction to Occupational Therapy
- Heritage / Humanities Course
- Elective Course(s) (1-3 hours)
Program Classes
- OTAI 105 Level IA Fieldwork
- OTAI 110 Group Dynamics in Occupational Therapy
- OTAI 120 Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology
- OTAI 198 Analysis of Human Occupation
- OTAI 199 Positioning Transfers and Mobility
- OTAI 200 Adaptive Equipment, Techniques, and Splinting
- OTAI 201 Adaptations and Assessment
- OTAI 205 Level IB Fieldwork
- OTAI 210 Pediatric Issues in Occupational Therapy
- OTAI 220 Adult Issues in Occupational Therapy
- OTAI 230 Mental Health
- OTAI 240 Physical Dysfunction
- OTAI 250 Community Needs
- OTAI 260 Clinical Transition and Management
- OTAI 275 Level IIA Fieldwork
- OTAI 285 Level IIB Fieldwork
This curriculum guide is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. Students should always choose classes in cooperation with the academic advisor to ensure that all degree requirements are being met.