Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
***IMPORTANT PROGRAM UPDATE***
The application requirements, course sequence and program length has been modified. This change will apply to the 2024 incoming students. Please note that the courses or credits required to complete the program have not changed. Please see the new curriculum outline here.
PLEASE NOTE: The application periods for the class beginning Fall 2024 are the months of February, May, July and August. Click here to view the admission guidelines for the program.
The OTA Profession
Occupational therapy uses everyday activities as the means to help people achieve independence. Under the supervision of registered occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants (OTA) help people of all ages to lead productive satisfying lives by providing client-centered therapy in a variety of settings. The OTA is instrumental in helping clients become more independent in self care, functional mobility, home management, participation in play/leisure/work activities, success with social participation, environmental modification, adaptive equipment design, splint fabrication and client/caregiver education.
The CCRI associate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at:
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
(301) 652-AOTA
Program Mission
The mission of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at the Community College of Rhode Island is to prepare students for successful completion of the NBCOT certification examination, to obtain state licensure, and for gainful employment as Occupational Therapist Assistants, in various health care settings, working with diverse patient populations.
Commitment to excellence in student preparation yields graduates who possess ethical practice standards, demonstrate outstanding clinical competence, and incorporate clinical reasoning and critical thinking into all aspects of patient care.
The OTA Program promotes a commitment to the profession of Occupational Therapy, the importance of life-long learning, and the value of community service.
For additional information about NBCOT certification, please go to:
https://www.nbcot.org/
https://www.nbcot.org/en/Educators/Home#SchoolPerformance
For additional information about RI state licensure, please go to:
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/archives/regdocs/released/pdf/DOH/7021.pdf http://www.health.ri.gov/applications/OccupationalTherapist.pdf
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of values, attitudes and behaviors congruent with the profession's standards and ethics; interdisciplinary and supervisory relationships; participation in professional associations and the responsibilities of Occupational Therapy Assistants in documentation of services
- Demonstrate knowledge of management of occupational therapy services including departmental operations; supervisory requirements; data collection for quality assurance; compliance with regulations and reimbursement policies and national and state credentialing requirements
- Demonstrate ability in effective oral and written communication as well as body language with patients, families, other health care professionals and the public; to utilize these skills in professional communications with patients, families/caregivers, colleagues and other professionals
- Demonstrate knowledge of multicultural and sociocultural factors and how they affect occupational therapy services and apply these factors to delivery of occupational therapy services
- Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and function of the normal human body, the sensorimotor, psychological and cognitive components and their development throughout the lifespan
- Demonstrate ability to analyze activities of daily living, work, play/leisure; how to perform and teach selected tasks: ability to grade and adapt activities for effective occupational therapeutic intervention
- Demonstrate ability in therapeutic interventions of environmental adaptations; basic orthotics, prosthetics and technologies and to assess their effectiveness
- Demonstrate ability to provide occupational therapy intervention in activities of daily living, work activities and play/leisure skills with individuals and groups
- Demonstrate ability to administer standardized and non-standardized tests appropriate to the role of a certified occupational therapy assistant under the supervision of a licensed/certified occupational therapist
OTA Program Statement of Philosophy
| Year | Student beginning program/graduates | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17/14 | 82% |
| 2022 | 18/9 | 50% |
| 2023 | 9/4 | 44% |
| Total | 44/27 | 61% |