Academic Program Code: 328
Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of registered occupational therapists to help rehabilitate patients who are physically or mentally disabled. They help develop and implement programs of educational, vocational and recreational activities that strengthen patients’ muscle power, increase motion and coordination, and develop self sufficiency in overcoming disabilities. Students interested in the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program are advised to take preparatory courses in biological and behavioral sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, and psychology. All applicants will be asked to take English and Math placement tests, since good reading, writing, and math skills are essential for success as an occupational therapy assistant.
Occupational Therapy is a profession in which members are required to give care to others. The Occupational Therapy Assistant student will need to develop the skills necessary to relate to others verbally and in writing. The student will be required to use written documentation skills to communicate with other professionals. In the field of Occupational Therapy, therapists need to demonstrate the characteristics of self-awareness, self acceptance, awareness of others and the ability to communicate that awareness. Therapists need to cope effectively with the emotional demands of the environment and to interact effectively with a variety of people. A therapist must be capable of subordinating personal feelings and must possess sufficient emotional stamina to deal with patients who will depend on him/her for emotional and psychological support during therapy. The student must demonstrate fundamentals of practice by adhering to the Occupational Therapy code of ethics, safety regulations, use sound judgment in regards to safety of self and others.
The OTA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. The phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. www.acoteonline.org 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 in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or state registration. For further information on limitations, you can contact NBCOT at 800 S. Frederick Ave., Suite 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150; (301) 990-7979. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
The State of Michigan requires licensure for therapists to practice. There are several professional-level education programs directed toward providing specific career advancement for certified occupational therapy assistants. To become a registered occupational therapist, a post baccalaureate degree will be required. Assistants may apply to other professional programs, but their previous training does not automatically include a transfer of credits or eligibility. Students in the OTA program should be prepared to pay for their own textbooks, liability insurance, name tags, OTA examination fee, supplies, transportation and parking.
Program Admissions Requirements
Students are admitted to the program once a year, in the Fall semester. In order to be eligible for admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, a student must:
Be a high school graduate or have passed the high school equivalency GED (General Educational Development) Test.
Have a high school GPA of at least 2.5.
Score at least 40 on the algebra or 65 on the arithmetic portion of the Accuplacer placement test. Score at least 74 on the reading portion of the Accuplacer placement test.
Have completed a one-semester course of middle or high school computers, focusing on computer literacy, Internet skills, retrieval and management of information with a grade of at least a “C”.
Submit and release findings of criminal background check to the health admissions coordinator and OTA program director at GRCC.
Pre-Program Requirements
Successful completion of BI 121 and BI 122 within two attempts with a grade of C or better. Successful completion of OT 102 with a grade of C or better within 2 attempts.
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