Occupational Therapy Assistant

Mrs. Rachel Gooch, Program Director
256.352.8333
rachel.gooch@wallacestate.edu

Associate in Applied Science Degree (5 semesters)

At a Glance

Employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is expected to grow by 40 percent through 2024, much faster than average for all occupations. Occupational Therapy is best described by the American Occupational Therapy Association as follows: Occupational therapy focuses on enabling people to do the activities of daily life. The very word “occupation” means an activity that “occupies” our time. Young or old, we all have a job to do - the job of living. Learning, growing, playing, working, managing our homes, and caring for our families are among the “occupations” of life. Unfortunately, physical, emotional, or other challenges often prevent people from fully participating in the job of living. Disease, injury, depression, or developmental problems can make it difficult for people to do everyday tasks and be active and independent.

Occupational therapy-a vibrant, growing profession makes it possible for people to achieve independence and to enjoy life to its fullest. By choosing a career as an occupational therapy assistant, you will make a difference! You will be able to improve the lives of people, from newborns to the very old. Students today can look forward to dynamic careers working in multiple settings with people of all ages. Recent information published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that the job outlook for occupational therapy assistants will continue to improve steadily for the foreseeable future.

Program Description

Under the direction of an Occupational Therapist, the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) assists in providing occupational therapy services through collaboration in developing a plan of selected tasks to restore, influence, or enhance performance of individuals whose abilities to cope with daily-living tasks are impaired or threatened by developmental deficits, the aging process, physical injury or illness, learning disabilities, or psychological and social disabilities. Occupational Therapy Assistants are employed in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, schools, home healthcare agencies, outpatient clinics, private practices, and other specialized healthcare settings. A student who has completed all OTA required general education courses may complete the OTA program courses in three semesters.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Wallace State Community College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA is 301-652-6611. ACOTE’s website address is www.acoteonline.org.

Graduates of the Wallace State Community College OTA program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Exam. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT examination or attain state licensure. As students typically sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Exam for the OTA after graduation and completion of all program requirements, the WSCC OTA program makes no guarantee that students will successfully complete the exam.

To view the official NBCOT exam score results for the WSCC OTA program, visit the NBCOT program data results homepage at https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx.

Admission Requirements

1. Unconditional admission to the college – College application must be submitted by the program application deadline.
2. Students must be in good standing with the college.
3. Receipt of complete program applications accepted between March 1 and June 1 for Fall entry. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
4. The OTA program online application is located on the program’s webpage at www.wallacestate.edu. Online application instructions are under the Application to Program tab. All applicants are required to upload all necessary documentation for consideration.
5. Official transcripts from each college attended must be provided to the Admissions Office and unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to the online program application.
6. Student must meet the essential functions and technical standards required for the program as documented on the required WSCC physical form at www.wallacestate.edu see - Physical Form Essential Functions.
7. A minimum of 18 ACT composite score (National, Residual, or Superscore) is required for admission consideration. Proof of score must be uploaded to the online program application.
8. Meet all the general admission requirements of WSCC.
   1. Complete general education required courses for OTA ( 1^st and 2^nd-semester courses) by the program application deadline of June 1^st.
9. Attain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale with a grade of “C” or better on all general required pre-OTA courses. GPA calculated for program selection will be on the general required pre-OTA courses only.
10.  Documented evidence of twenty-four (24) hours of observation divided between two different Occupational Therapy department settings.  Hours of observation must  be performed under an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant.  Completed form must be uploaded to the online program application. 

Students are encouraged to meet with OTA Program Advisor prior to the spring semester (before application) to verify completed and needed coursework, for successful application to the program.

Program application submission, which includes the OTA program application, documentation of observation hours, copies of unofficial transcripts, and appropriate test scores must be submitted to the OTA Program as a complete packet through the online submission according to the instructions above. Incomplete applications will not be accepted for consideration. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all application materials are submitted to the appropriate offices by the application deadline.

Selection and Notification

1. The OTA program admits annually in the fall semester.
2. Candidates are ranked for admission on the basis of ACT scores, weighted GPA (GPA x 9), and completion of admission requirements.  Attendance at an OTA program information session is recommended. 
3. Program applications will be reviewed for completion of program admission requirements.  Email notification of program acceptance status will be sent to each applicant via information supplied on the program application. 
4. Following acceptance into the program, students must respond confirming their intent to enroll by using the internet link provided on their letter, by the deadline indicated on the letter. A student who fails to respond will forfeit his/her place in the class.
5. In the event of a tie, the following procedure will be followed in the order listed below to determine student acceptance into the program: 1) highest GPA for general education requirements, 2) ACT composite score, 3) date of application submission.

Program Expectations

Students admitted into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program are expected to comply with the Health Science Program Regulations and Expectations as published in the Programs of Study section of the Wallace State College Catalog.

Upon Acceptance:

1. OTA students are required to submit an annual physical examination form, including proof of Hepatitis B and other lab results as indicated on the form. Students are expected to retain copies of all paperwork submitted to the program.
2. Students are required to submit proof of current CPR certification. Only CPR courses that provide certification for American Heart Association BLS/ health care providers will be accepted. Online CPR courses WILL NOT be accepted. Students who are accepted into the program will submit proof of CPR certification at the mandatory OTA program orientation, typically held in July. The specific date will be included with the OTA program acceptance letters.
3. Malpractice and liability insurance, available through the College, is required of all OTA students. Health insurance is also required but is not available through the college.
4. OTA students are required to undergo Background Screening and Drug Testing according to Health Science Division policy.
5. Students must be able to demonstrate the ability to perform WSCC Health Division and OTA Program Essential Functions (see Health Science Programs of Study in WSCC catalog).

Progression

OTA students must attain a minimum grade of “C” in all general education and major required courses. Failure to do so in major required courses will result in dismissal from the program. A student in good academic standing will be allowed to apply for readmission only once to the program.

OTA students are required to exhibit professional behavior at all times. A professional behavior assessment is completed on each OTA student. A minimal acceptable score of 87 is required each semester by OTA students. Failure to obtain the minimal acceptable score will result in the probation of the OTA student with supplemental counseling by an OTA advisor. If the OTA student is unable to obtain the minimum required score after counseling, they will be dismissed from the OTA program.

Level II Fieldwork must be completed within 20 months of completion of academic requirements. Students are required to complete two full-time eight-week clinical fieldwork rotations. These are scheduled by the program during the spring and summer semesters. Students are responsible for costs associated with these placements, including any site-specific uniforms, parking, travel, and meals. Students should expect up to a two-hour drive time to and from these sites.

Readmission to Program

Students whose progression through the OTA program is interrupted and who desire to re-enter the program must schedule an appointment with an OTA faculty advisor to discuss re-entry. The student must apply for readmission to the OTA program within one year from the term of withdrawal or failure. Students who are accepted for readmission may be required to repeat certain classes previously completed.

Readmission may be denied due to, but not limited to, any of the following circumstances:

1. Failure to possess a GPA of at least 2.0 for all OTA major and OTA general education courses.
2. Refusal by fieldwork sites to accept the student for fieldwork experiences.
3. Over 12 months have elapsed since the student was enrolled in an OTA course.
4. Student has been dismissed from the program.
5. Documented ethical, safety, and professionalism concerns on campus and/or clinical fieldwork.
6. Student has been dismissed from a clinical fieldwork site.

Career Path 

Occupational Therapy Assistants are employed in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare agencies, private practices, outpatient clinics, schools, and other specialized healthcare settings. Depending on your employer or the setting in which you work, your tasks may include:

• Aiding growth and development of premature babies
• Adapting and modifying tasks and/or environments to enhance performance of daily living skills
• Maximizing functional independence with occupations of daily life
• Educating families, caregivers, and other individuals on the role of occupational therapy, as well as techniques for maximizing functional performance of occupation
• Improving learning environments for physically or mentally challenged school children
• Adapting home environments for people dealing with the effects of physical, mental, and cognitive conditions
• Assisting an individual or group in regaining the most independence possible in performance of desired activities or occupations
• Working in collaboration with the registered occupational therapist to deliver quality intervention to improve a client’s ability to engage in occupations of value
• Analyzing job tasks and equipment to prevent future injuries for an injured worker
• Measuring the effectiveness of treatment activities

Median annual earnings of occupational therapy assistants was $67,010 in May 2023.  The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,670, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $89,230. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The WSCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program courses will be accepted for transfer to Athens State, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and University of South Alabama for certain baccalaureate degree programs. Please contact those schools directly for that information. Since January 1, 2007 all students interested in furthering their careers to become occupational therapists are required to obtain a post baccalaureate degree (i.e. professional master’s degree or entry-level doctoral degree). By 2027, all graduate-level occupational therapist preparation programs must be transitioned to the entry-level doctoral degree. Please consult Alabama transfers guide for the latest information.

Students seeking to apply to the OTA program must complete the general education requirements listed under the 1^st and 2^nd semester headings, then submit an application to the program by the June 1^st deadline of the year in which they wish to apply to the program. Upon acceptance into the program, students will complete the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th semester courses. OTA courses in semesters 3-5 are offered on the WSCC-Hanceville campus. The OTA program is offered only on a full-time basis.