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Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology

The Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum is a two-year program of study that prepares an individual to work as a co-participant in the entire occupational therapy process, at the discretion of the supervising licensed occupational therapist. The occupational therapy assistant provides intervention pertinent to creating and promoting healthy lifestyles, restoring or habilitating a skill or ability, maintaining the current level of function, modifying activity to ensure success, and addressing disability prevention.  The Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology Program is located in Ridgeland with a Fall/August start date. 


OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT TECHNOLOGY

Program Curriculum

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE

FIRST YEAR:
First Semester
  • Foundations of Occupational Therapy OTA 1113
    OTA 1113 - Foundations of Occupational Therapy. This intake course is an introduction to the field of occupational therapy including history, role orientation, professional organizational structure, legal and ethical implications, legislation, specific practice arenas, and the process of service delivery. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
  • Pathology of Psychiatric Conditions OTA 1213
    OTA 1213 - Pathology of Psychiatric Conditions. This intake course provides a basic knowledge of psychiatric disorders encountered in occupational therapy practice. Emphasis is on etiology, prognosis, and management of various psychiatric conditions. The role and function of the OTA in the treatment process is also emphasized. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
  • Therapeutic Anatomy OTA 1132
    OTA 1132 - Therapeutic Anatomy. This intake course will focus upon the structures of the human body and their respective functions. Emphasis will be placed upon the muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems. Two hours lecture. Two hours credit.
  • Group Process OTA 1513
    OTA 1513 - Group Process. This manipulative course introduces theory and research findings explaining group dynamics. The course teaches the student how to facilitate group effectiveness and the skills to apply that knowledge in practical situations. Methods and skills necessary to plan, write, and lead an occupational therapy group will be taught. The course focuses on the importance of group activity intervention primarily with the psychiatric population. Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Three hours credit.
  • Occupational Therapy Skills I OTA 1423
    OTA 1423 - Occupational Therapy Skills I. This manipulative course provides fundamental knowledge of practice skills used with patients/clients across the life span and with various diagnoses. Observation and documentation techniques will be introduced. Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Three hours credit.
  • Occupational Therapy Skills I OTA 1423
    OTA 1423 - Occupational Therapy Skills I. This manipulative course provides fundamental knowledge of practice skills used with patients/clients across the life span and with various diagnoses. Observation and documentation techniques will be introduced. Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Three hours credit.
  • Occupational Therapy Skills I OTA 1423
    OTA 1423 - Occupational Therapy Skills I. This manipulative course provides fundamental knowledge of practice skills used with patients/clients across the life span and with various diagnoses. Observation and documentation techniques will be introduced. Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Three hours credit.
Total 18 Hours
Second Semester
  • Pathology of Physical Disability Conditions OTA 1223
    OTA 1223 - Pathology of Physical Disability Conditions. This intake course provides a basic knowledge of selected diseases and conditions encountered in occupational therapy practice. Emphasis is on etiology, prognosis, and management of various pathological physical conditions. The role and function of the OTA in the treatment process is also emphasized. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
  • Kinesiology OTA 1314
    OTA 1314 - Kinesiology (Prerequisite: OTA 1132). This intake course studies individual muscles and muscle functions, biomechanical principles of joint motion, gait patterns, normal movement patterns, and goniometry. Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Four hours credit.
  • Pathology of Orthopedic Conditions OTA 1243
    OTA 1243 - Pathology of Orthopedic Conditions (Prerequisites: OTA 1132 & OTA 1314). This intake course provides a basic knowledge of selected orthopedic conditions encountered in occupational therapy practice. Emphasis is placed upon mechanisms of pathology and basic treatment approaches. The role and function of the OTA in the treatment process is also emphasized. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
  • Pathology of Developmental Conditions OTA 1233
    OTA 1233 - Pathology of Developmental Conditions. This intake course provides a basic knowledge of selected diseases and conditions encountered in occupational therapy practice. Emphasis is on etiology, prognosis, and management of various pathological developmental conditions. The student will compare and contrast normal and abnormal developmental patterns. The role and function of the OTA in treatment process is also emphasized. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
  • Healthcare Systems OTA 2812
    OTA 2812 - Healthcare Systems. This intake course is designed to examine the context of service delivery for occupational therapy. Various models of health care, education, community, and social systems will be examined. Two hours lecture. Two hours credit.
Total 15 Hours
Third Semester
  • Fieldwork IA OTA 1913
    OTA 1913 - Fieldwork IA (Prerequisite: OTA 1423). This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to observe and participate in clinical fieldwork. The student will also begin to develop professional work habits. Students are expected to function as participant observers in the assigned clinical setting. One hour lecture. Six hours clinical. Three hours credit.
  • Occupational Therapy Skills II OTA 1433
    OTA 1433 - Occupational Therapy Skills II (Prerequisite: OTA 1423). This manipulative course provides intermediate practice skills used with patients/clients across the life-span and with various diagnosis. Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Three hours credit.
  • Therapeutic Media OTA 1413
    OTA 1413 - Therapeutic Media (Prerequisite: OTA 1113). This manipulation course provides knowledge and use of tools, equipment, and basic techniques of woodworking and craft activities as therapeutic media. Emphasis is given to analyzation and instruction of activities frequently used as occupational therapy media. Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Three hours credit.
Total 9 Hours
SECOND YEAR:
First Semester
  • Fieldwork IB OTA 2935
    OTA 2935 - Fieldwork IB (Prerequisite: OTA 1423). This application course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to apply their knowledge of the occupational therapy process in clinical fieldwork. The student will also begin to develop professional work habits. Students are expected to function as participant observers in the clinical setting. One hour lecture. Twelve hours clinical. Five hours credit.
  • Occupational Therapy SkillsIII OTA 2443
    OTA 2443 - Occupational Therapy Skills III (Prerequisite: OTA 1433). This manipulation course provides advanced practice skills used with patients/clients across the life-span and with various diagnoses. Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Three hours credit.
  • Concepts in Occupational Therapy OTA 2714
    OTA 2714 - Concepts in Occupational Therapy (Prerequisite: OTA 1223, 1423, 1242 or 1243). This manipulative course studies the occupational therapy treatment techniques for a variety of diagnoses while incorporating theoretical concepts. Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Four hours credit.
  • Occupational Therapy Transitions I OTA 2961
    OTA 2961 - Occupational Therapy Transitions I. This course provides information and guidance to the student for their transitional process of becoming an Occupational Therapy Practitioner. This course will encompass a variety of professional skills and concepts. In addition, vital life skills will be discussed. One hour lecture. One hour credit.
Total 13 Hours
Second Semester
  • Fieldwork IIA OTA 2946
    OTA 2946 - Fieldwork IIA (Prerequisites: OTA 1113, 1121, 1132, 1213, 1223, 1233, 1242, 1314, 1413, 1423, 1433, 1513, 1913, 2443, 2714, 2812, 2935, 2961). This application course synthesizes previous didactic instruction and clinical experiences obtained in Fieldwork I. In Level IIA the student may encounter a variety of populations in a traditional or nontraditional based setting. Students will assume increasing responsibilities under supervision as appropriate for the setting. Eighteen hours clinical. Six hours credit.
  • Fieldwork IIB OTA 2956
    OTA 2956 - Fieldwork IIB (Prerequisites: OTA 1113, 1121, 1132, 1213, 1223, 1233, 1242, 1314, 1413, 1423, 1433, 1513, 1913, 2443, 2714, 2812, 2935, 2961). This application course synthesizes previous didactic instruction and clinical experiences obtained in Fieldwork I. In Level IIB, the student may encounter a variety of populations in a traditional or nontraditional based setting. Students will assume increasing responsibilities under supervision as appropriate for the setting. Eighteen hours clinical. Six hours credit.
  • Occupational Therapy Transitions II OTA 2971
    OTA 2971 - Occupational Therapy Transitions II (Prerequisite: OTA 2961). This course provides final preparation to the student for the transitional process of becoming an Occupational Therapy Practitioner. Three day seminar. One hour credit.
  • Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (3)
Total 16 Hours


An AAS Degree may be earned after successfully completing required career technical and academic coursework.


The student must have successfully completed BIO 2514 Anatomy & Physiology I and BIO 2524 Anatomy & Physiology II with a C or better before program start date. 


*MAT 1233 & a natural science with lab (7 hrs. total) may be substituted for College Algebra.

**May substitute a previous medical terminology course (example: BOT 1613, BOT 1623 or BIO 1813.)

Enrollment in a minimum of 15 hours each semester is recommended for eligibility for state aid, institutional scholarships, and the tuition break.

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