Occupational Therapy Assistant

Course Descriptions

OTA 200 Foundations of Occupational Therapy 3-3-4
This course presents an introduction to occupational therapy; including history, philosophical base, values, ethics, practice framework and clinical reasoning. Students will learn selected theories and frames of reference as they pertain to interventions in mental health, physical disabilities, pediatrics, and community practice areas. An overview of the occupational therapy process, including assessment, treatment planning, treatment implementation and discontinuation of intervention will be presented. The role of occupational therapy in health care, community-based, and educational systems will be explored. Role delineation and collaboration of the occupational therapy assistant with other occupational therapy and health care personnel are discussed. This course includes visits to a variety of occupational therapy settings. Prerequisite: Admission to the MHPC OTA Program through MACC. Corequisites: OTA 205, OTA 210, OTA 215, and OTA 220. (FA)

OTA 205 Medical Conditions in Occupational Therapy 3-0-3
This course presents the etiology and symptoms of medical and psychological clinical conditions across the lifespan that are commonly referred to occupational therapy services. Course content emphasizes the effects of trauma, disease, and congenital conditions on the biological, psychological, and social domains of occupational behavior. An exploration of cultural perspectives on disease and wellness will be included. Prerequisite: Admission to the MHPC OTA Program through MACC. Corequisites: OTA 200, OTA 210, OTA 215, and OTA 220. (FA)

OTA 210 Analysis of Occupations 1-3-2
In this course, observation, analysis, and performance of human occupation in work, self-care, and play/leisure activities throughout the lifespan are emphasized. Students will select, analyze, adapt, grade and use goal-directed, client-centered therapeutic activities and techniques to promote engagement in occupations. Skills in using the teaching-learning process with clients, families and others will be incorporated. The development of observation and data collection skills will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Admission to the MHPC OTA Program through MACC. Corequisites: OTA 200, OTA 205, OTA 215, and OTA 220. (FA)

OTA 215 Mental Health and Psychosocial Practice 2-6-4
This course presents the role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant in the psychosocial area of Occupational Therapy practice. Students will learn selected frames of reference, and explore the effects of psychosocial dysfunction on areas of occupation. Students will learn skills necessary to assess, implement and document intervention in a variety of mental health settings. Client factors, including culture and diversity, therapeutic interactions and methods are studied. Students will develop skills in administering individual and group interventions, professional communication, conflict negotiation, and advocacy. Lab activities, site visits and Level I fieldwork opportunities will enable students to participate in and apply psychosocial principles to practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the MHPC OTA Program through MACC. Corequisites: OTA 200, OTA 205, OTA 210, and OTA 220. (FA)

OTA 220 Pediatric and Adolescent Practice 1-9-4
Treatment of pediatric and adolescent conditions. Normal and delayed development of the infant, child and adolescent are explored. The lab component incorporates theoretical principles and provides opportunities for students to develop assessment, intervention planning and implementation, and documentation skills to address a range of childhood sensory-motor, cognitive, and psychosocial performance deficits. Students will learn to adapt the environment, tools, materials, and occupations to meet the self-care, work/play, and leisure needs of the pediatric and adolescent population. Lab activities, site visits and Level I fieldwork opportunities will enable students to participate in and apply pediatric and adolescent treatment principles to practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the MHPC OTA Program through MACC. Corequisites: OTA 200, OTA 205, OTA 210, and OTA 215. (FA)

OTA 250 Functional Kinesiology 1-3-2
In this course, students use and apply their knowledge of anatomy and physiology to study muscle groups and their function relative to performing various activities. Analysis of functional movement patterns required for work, self-care, play, and leisure activities is emphasized. Manual muscle testing, range of motion, goniometry and basic transfer skills are practiced. Principles of energy conservation, joint protection and work simplification are presented. Prevention, health maintenance and safety procedures relevant to functional mobility are reviewed. Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or higher in all previous OTA required courses. Corequisites: OTA 255, OTA 260, OTA 265, and OTA 270. (SP)

OTA 255 Physical Disabilities Practice 1-9-4
The course provides in-depth opportunities for students to develop assessment, intervention planning, intervention, and documentation skills to address a wide range of adult and geriatric physical disabilities and conditions typically treated by occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistants. Topics include but are not limited to stroke, spinal cord injury, fractures and joint replacements, head injury, dementias. The use of splinting, orthotics, modalities, and assistive technology in treatment will also be presented. Students will learn to adapt the environment, tools, materials, and occupations to meet the self-care, work/play, and leisure needs of the adult and geriatric population. Lab activities, site visits and Level I fieldwork opportunities will enable students to participate in and apply physical disabilities treatment principles to practice. Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or higher in all previous OTA required courses. Corequisites: OTA 250, OTA 260, OTA 265, and OTA 270 (SP)

OTA 260 Community Practice 1-6-3
Lab activities, site visits and Level I fieldwork opportunities will enable students to participate in and apply occupational therapy assessment and intervention principles to a wide range of community settings including vocational, vocational rehabilitation, home health, and emerging community practice areas. Emphasis will be on community settings in the students’ state and geographic region. The course also provides a broad exposure to the social, political, legislative, economic and cultural factors that influence service delivery. Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or higher in all previous OTA required courses. Corequisites: OTA 250, OTA 255, OTA 265, OTA 270 (SP)

OTA 265 Ethics, Management and Leadership 2-3-3
This course focuses on the OTA role in managing and directing occupational therapy services. It covers ethical provision of services, departmental operations, program development, supervisory requirements, personnel development and supervision, professional team building, quality assurance, compliance with regulations, reimbursement, and national and state credentialing requirements. Techniques for developing a resume and job interview skills are practiced. The importance and responsibility for on-going OTA professional development, ethical practice, contributing to research and evidence based practice, attention to emerging practice issues and areas, and international perspectives are explored. Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or higher in all previous OTA required courses. Corequisites: OTA 250, OTA 255, OTA 260, and OTA 270. (SP)

OTA 270 Professional Skills 1.5-4.5-3
This course is designed to foster practical professional skills in critical thinking, using literature to make evidence based practice decisions and recommendations, and using theory to guide practice. Practical skills needed for assessment, goal planning, intervention planning, documentation, discharge planning, other professional written and verbal communication skills, therapeutic use of self, consumer and professional advocacy, and ethics in daily practice will be emphasized. Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or higher in all previous OTA required courses. Corequisites: OTA 250, OTA 255, OTA 260, and OTA 265. (SP)

OTA 290 Level II Fieldwork A 0-40-8
Full-time clinical fieldwork experience in mental health, physical disabilities, geriatric, pediatric and/or community based practice working under the supervision of an OTR and/or COTA. Focus is on achieving entry-level competence in planning and implementing interventions. Requires 40 hours per week for 8 weeks for Level II Fieldwork A must be completed within 18 months following completion of academic coursework. All academic and fieldwork courses must be completed prior to graduation. Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or higher in all previous OTA required courses. Corequisite: OTA 295. (SU)

OTA 295 Level II Fieldwork B 0-40-8
Full-time clinical fieldwork experience in mental health, physical disabilities, geriatric, pediatric and/or community based practice working under the supervision of an OTR and/or COTA. Focus is on achieving entry-level competence in planning and implementing interventions. Requires 40 hours per week for 8 weeks in an area of clinical practice that is different from Level II Fieldwork A. Level II Fieldwork B must be completed within 18 months following completion of academic coursework. All academic and fieldwork courses must be completed prior to graduation. Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or higher in all previous OTA required courses. Corequisite: OTA 290. (SU)