Occupational therapy is the art and science of directing the human response with a focus on using selected client-centered occupations to promote and maintain health, prevent disability, assess behavior, and treat or train patients with physical or psychological dysfunction.
to function within the standards of the College, the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology program are technically qualified members of the health team who function under the supervision or consultation of a registered occupational therapist. Assistants accept clinical responsibilities in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, rehabilitation centers, or other organizations directed to maintain health and socialization.
relating occupational therapy to the total health care system.
The OTA program at Cincinnati State provides unique learning opportunities for students through the Eileen Berke Occupational Therapy Center. This training laboratory is a home adjacent to the Clifton campus that has been modified with cabinetry, architectural installations, equipment, and furnishings designed to make daily life easier for individuals with disabilities or for those who simply wish to “age in place” in their own homes.
Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, and are eligible 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 graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
All OTA students must complete Level II fieldwork within 20 months after completing academic coursework preparation.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. Phone: (301) 652-AOTA. Website: www.acoteonline.org.
According to US News and World Report, occupational therapy assistant was the #1 best job in health care support jobs for 2016 (http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-health-care-support-jobs) and was one of the 10 best jobs in healthcare. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is projected to grow 41 percent through 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities.
Learn about the Health Program Progression process.