Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

OTA 100 Introduction to Occupational Therapy
(3 Credits, Fall)

Introduction to the occupational therapy (OT) profession, the role of the occupational therapy assistant (OTA), and the importance of everyday activities (or occupations) across the lifespan. Topics include the history, development, philosophy, scope of practice, and standards of practice of the profession. Occupational therapy within the healthcare system is explored with an emphasis on trends and current practice settings. Principles of ethics, role delineation, and professionalism are discussed. Students are introduced to the OT process and domain, as well as foundational concepts such as activity analysis and occupational profile. PREREQ: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. COREQ: BIOL 228, BIOL 228L, OTA 170, and OTA 206. (3 lecture hours, 0 lab hours, 3 credits)

OTA 130 Professional Issues I
(2 Credits, Spring)

In this course, students will begin to build a framework of knowledge of management, scholarship, leadership, and professionalism. Students will explore appropriate professional behaviors that will benefit them in fieldwork placements and in future professional practice. Students will learn the importance of successful work skills and integrate them into academic and professional practice. Students will learn the importance of advocating for the occupational therapy profession at the state and national levels, as well as the importance of participating in professional organizations. The scholarship component of this course will address locating, interpreting, and understanding scholarly activities. The leadership and professionalism components will increase students' understanding, appreciation, and application of ethics and values to the profession of occupational therapy. PREREQ: BIOL 228, BIOL 228L, OTA 100, OTA 170, and OTA 206 with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 155, OTA 175, OTA 210, and OTA 210L. (2 lecture hours, 0 lab hours, 2 credits)

OTA 155 Movement in Human Occupation
(3 Credits, Spring)

This lecture/lab course provides the student with many of the foundational skills encountered in the field of OT. Topics will be introduced or advanced from previous courses that help to provide the student with solid skills for hands-on client care. Rather than a course that is focused on practical applications in determining treatment activities that contribute to the overall plan of care, this skills lab will focus on the necessary building blocks that target deficits in client factors and performance skills impacting occupational performance. Among other things, topics include principles of kinesiology, motor control, and therapeutic exercise; range of motion and manual muscle testing measurement; and functional transfers and mobility. In keeping with the curricular design of the program, this course is developmental in nature, in that it serves to support content learned and applied in other courses. PREREQ: BIOL 228, BIOL 228L, OTA 100, OTA 170, and OTA 206 with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 130, OTA 175, OTA 210, and OTA 210L. (1 lecture hours, 4 lab hours, 3 credits)

OTA 170 Fieldwork Level I: Placement I
(1 Credit, Fall)

This is the first of three Fieldwork Level I experiences and begins to establish the knowledge and skills necessary for successful completion of all subsequent Level I and Level II Fieldwork experiences. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 45 lab hours incorporating simulated pediatric clients, faculty-led site visits, standardized assessments, and service-learning projects. Students are provided with opportunities to apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills to pediatric clients as well as to current issues found within the community. Students will work individually and in groups to ensure a valuable learning experience that combines both life experience and the knowledge and skills gained in didactic classes. PREREQ: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. COREQ: BIOL 228, BIOL 228L, OTA 100, and OTA 206. (0 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, 1 credits)

OTA 175 Fieldwork Level I: Placement II
(1 Credit, Spring)

This is the second of three Fieldwork Level I experiences and builds upon the knowledge gained in all previous and concurrent courses and fieldwork. This course is the students' first formal exposure to actual clients and focuses on mental and behavioral health, specifically those social and psychological factors that influence engagement in occupation. Students are assigned to a local placement for a minimum of 45 hours. Students experience opportunities to apply the thinking processes and skills learned during the first two semesters of the OTA program. Students are expected to observe information relevant to clientele and services provided in that setting in order to complete written assignments and projects as outlined by the academic fieldwork coordinator and in conjunction with the clinical instructor/site supervisor. PREREQ: BIOL 228, BIOL 228L, OTA 100, OTA 170, and OTA 206 with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 130, OTA 155, OTA 210, and OTA 210L. (0 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, 1 credits)

OTA 180 Fieldwork Level I: Placement III
(1 Credit, Fall)

The third and final Fieldwork Level I placement is a 45-hour experience that serves as the culmination of all previous fieldwork and includes simulated adult and geriatric clients, faculty-led site visits, standardized assessments, and service-learning projects. This class requires the student to design and carry out an original, evidence-based service-learning project that demonstrates competence and a firm grasp on the research process, and that offers a real benefit to the community. This Fieldwork Level I experience is designed to ensure that the student has developed the knowledge base, critical thinking skills, experience, and self-confidence to successfully embark upon Fieldwork Level II experiences. PREREQ: OTA 130, OTA 155, OTA 175, OTA 210, and OTA 210L with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 215, OTA 215L, OTA 231, and OTA 235. (0 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, 1 credits)

OTA 206 Pediatric Occupational Therapy
(5 Credits, Fall)

This lecture/lab course provides an introduction to the etiology, symptoms, prognosis, and treatment of pediatric and adolescent disorders and their impact on occupational performance areas and components. Frames of reference, intervention theories, and techniques are explored, as well as the disabilities commonly associated with childhood and techniques used for remediation. The course will focus on the disabilities that impair function in this population and introduce the student to occupational therapy as practiced with children and adolescents. The lab portion of the class provides a hands-on introduction to treatment planning and intervention implementation techniques commonly used with pediatric and adolescent disorders and their impact on occupational performance areas and components. Lab sessions emphasize the application of theory to treatment techniques for specific conditions and provide the opportunity for students to explore the role of occupational therapy (OT) while including and educating family and caregivers regarding the child's OT care. PREREQ: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. COREQ: BIOL 228, BIOL 228L, OTA 100, and OTA 170. (3 lecture hours, 4 lab hours, 5 credits)

OTA 210 Psychosocial Interventions
(3 Credits, Spring)

Introduction to the etiology, symptoms, prognosis, and treatment of psychosocial disorders and their impact on occupational performance areas and components. Frames of reference, intervention theories, and techniques are discussed. The course covers affective and personality disorders, as seen by the occupational therapy practitioner. Students are expected to identify and describe the course and progression of psychiatric conditions throughout the lifespan. Assignments require the student to identify concepts and techniques used in interventions. Students will demonstrate appropriate collaboration with the occupational therapist in providing services from assessment to discharge. PREREQ: BIOL 228, BIOL 228L, OTA 100, OTA 170, and OTA 206 with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 130, OTA 155, OTA 175, and OTA 210L. (3 lecture hours, 0 lab hours, 3 credits)

OTA 210L Therapeutic Activity Lab
(3 Credits, Spring)

This lab course examines the therapeutic use of purposeful and meaningful occupations in the occupational therapy process used in mental health and in general OT practice. Human occupation and its application to mental health intervention choice will be addressed based on occupational therapy systems, models, and frames of reference. Practical applications in determining treatment activities based on these theories for clients through therapeutic groups and individual interventions will be applied. Activity analysis will be studied thoroughly to assist with the development of therapeutic activities and media. Teamwork and group leadership, media selection throughout the lifespan, and establishment of therapeutic relationships are introduced. Students will learn how to select, design, and complete goal-directed activities for diverse client populations within a group or individual session. PREREQ: BIOL 228, BIOL 228L, OTA 100, OTA 170, and OTA 206 with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 130, OTA 155, OTA 175, and OTA 210. (1 lecture hours, 4 lab hours, 3 credits)

OTA 215 Adult Physical Dysfunction
(3 Credits, Fall)

Introduction to the etiology, symptoms, prognosis, and treatment of conditions commonly treated in neurological and physical rehabilitation as well as their impact upon occupational performance areas and components. Frames of reference, intervention theories, and techniques are discussed. The course is designed to provide the clinical knowledge of skills required to provide intervention to a variety of neurological and physical dysfunctions for diseases and disorders of the physical body systems. Health promotion and independence throughout the lifespan by way of remediation and adaptation are emphasized, and the basic skills in the management of the neurological and physical needs of the individual are also included. Students are required to demonstrate appropriate clinical reasoning in treatment planning, provision of treatment, and documentation skills. PREREQ: OTA 130, OTA 155, OTA 175, OTA 210, and OTA 210L with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 180, OTA 215L, OTA 231, and OTA 235. (3 lecture hours, 0 lab hours, 3 credits)

OTA 215L Adult Rehabilitation Lab
(3 Credits, Fall)

This lab course combines, synthesizes, and builds upon learning gained in the didactic lecture courses of both Adult Physical Dysfunction (OTA 215) and Geriatric Occupational Therapy (OTA 235). Lab work will provide a hands-on introduction to treatment planning and intervention implementation techniques commonly used with neurological and physical dysfunction disorders across the adult continuum, as well as the impact they have on occupational performance areas and components. Lab sessions emphasize the application of theory to assessment and treatment techniques for specific conditions typical of adults. Students will determine adaptations in the areas of basic activities of daily living; instrumental activities of daily living, mobility, positioning, and adaptive equipment; and splinting for hand injuries. Fine and gross motor assessment procedures will be covered with the expectation that the student develops entry-level proficiency. This course provides students with an opportunity to practice increasingly complex treatment strategies in simulated conditions. PREREQ: OTA 130, OTA 155, OTA 175, OTA 210, and OTA 210L with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 180, OTA 215, OTA 231, and OTA 235. (0 lecture hours, 6 lab hours, 3 credits)

OTA 231 Professional Issues II
(2 Credits, Fall)

Thorough application of theory and process, this course will weave together concepts of management, scholarship, leadership, and professionalism that were acquired in Professional Issues I and throughout previous program courses. The bulk of the course is dedicated to professional development, lifelong learning, and preparation for professional engagement and participation. Students will identify and develop an advocacy project and finish the entrepreneurial project initiated in Professional Issues I. This course will further students' documentation skills, introduce important aspects of effective resume writing and interview skills, and prepare the student for the national certification exam. PREREQ: OTA 130, OTA 155, OTA 175, OTA 210, and OTA 210L with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 180, OTA 215, OTA 215L, and OTA 235. (2 lecture hours, 0 lab hours, 2 credits)

OTA 235 Geriatric Occupational Therapy
(2 Credits, Fall)

Introduction to the etiology, symptoms, prognosis, and treatment of common geriatric disorders and their impact on occupational performance areas and components. Frames of reference, intervention theories, and techniques are discussed. Applying concepts learned in previous clinical courses, in-class sessions emphasize the application of theory to treatment techniques for specific conditions. This course provides the student with a greater depth of understanding of the disabilities that affect the older adult and geriatric population, with emphasis upon assessment, treatment, and remediation of those disabilities and the effects of aging. The role of the occupational therapy assistant in treatment is included with a focus on the techniques used to modify daily functional activities through environmental assessments and modification, transfer training, and the use of assistive technology. PREREQ: OTA 130, OTA 155, OTA 175, OTA 210, and OTA 210L with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 180, OTA 215, OTA 215L, and OTA 231. (2 lecture hours, 0 lab hours, 2 credits)

OTA 270 Fieldwork Level II: Placement I
(6 Credits, Spring)

This is the first of two eight-week placements that comprise the Level II Fieldwork experience. The student will work full-time hours, as defined by the designated fieldwork site. The clinical instructor arranges for the student to begin delivering direct treatment to clients. Students carry out clinical interventions learned in the lecture and laboratory portion of the curriculum. The clinical instructor teaches and directly supervises any interventions. Client treatment, progression, rationale, and critical thinking are practiced in a supervised setting. This fieldwork must be completed according to the typical workday and as required by the supervising facility. The OTA student will be assessed at the end of each rotation with a grade as defined by the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE). If the student receives a passing grade, as defined by the FWPE, they may advance to the second Fieldwork Level II rotation. PREREQ: OTA 180, OTA 215, OTA 215L, OTA 231, and OTA 235 with a grade of C or higher. COREQ: OTA 275. (0 lecture hours, 18 lab hours, 6 credits)

OTA 275 Fieldwork Level II: Placement II
(6 Credits, Spring)

This placement is a continuation of the first Level II rotation and represents the second and final eight weeks for a total of 16 weeks of the Level II Fieldwork experience. The student will work full-time hours, as defined by the designated fieldwork site. The clinical instructor will assign the student direct treatment of clients. Students carry out evidence-based clinical interventions learned in the didactic portion of the program as well as their first fieldwork experience. Students will apply competent treatment intervention, effective oral and written communication skills, and the art of caring for diverse populations in an occupational therapy setting. Patient progression, rationale for treatment, and critical thinking skills are practiced in a supervised setting. The clinical instructor teaches and directly supervises any interventions. This fieldwork must be completed according to the typical workday and as required by the supervising facility. The OTA student will be assessed at the end of the rotation with a final grade, as defined by the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE). The student must receive a passing grade at the end of the rotation, as defined by the FWPE. PREREQ: OTA 180, OTA 215, OTA 215L, OTA 231, OTA 235, and OTA 270 with a grade of C or higher. (0 lecture hours, 18 lab hours, 6 credits)