Occupational Therapy Assistant

www.laguardia.edu/ota/

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is coordinated by the Health Sciences Department, and offers a course of study leading to the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. Graduates work with occupational therapists providing services to persons with needs caused by physical conditions and injuries, developmental delay, aging, mental health concerns, cognitive limitations, or other impairments.

Such services include: using developmental and play activities to help the child who has growth problems and learning disabilities develop the skills to manage school and social learning; assisting the elderly and others with diminished physical endurance to perform essential activities of daily living and achieve maximum independence; working with patients who have lost a limb to use a new prosthesis and master normal skills; designing and fabricating hand splints and instructing the client in their use; helping depressed clients feel more positively toward their environment through the use of productive activity; and making it easier for the socially withdrawn person to interact with others through the use of planned group experiences.

Special progression standards exist for occupational therapy assistant majors. Students begin with taking courses in the “preclinical” phase of the major. To progress to the “clinical” phase, students must meet specific criteria described in the program’s admissions handbook. These handbooks are available in the Program office, E300. Admission requirements can also be found on the program website. Achievement of the progression standards does not guarantee advancement to the clinical phase. Currently, approximately 20 students are admitted to the clinical phase of the program each semester (Fall I and Spring I).

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program offers day, evening, and part-time options. All Occupational Therapy Assistant students must pursue fieldwork within 18 months of completing the respective academic theory course. The entire program must be completed in a timely fashion as content changes with current practice. After completion of the introductory occupational therapy course, all remaining occupational therapy courses, including fieldwork should be completed within four years.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam for the occupational therapy assistant, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Credentialing requirements for New York State licensure include graduation from a program and passing the NBCOT examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by ACOTE, The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, 4720 Montgomery Ln Ste 200 Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. AOTA’s telephone number is (301) 652-6611 or (800) SAY-AOTA (729-2682).