Occupational Therapy Assistant

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a health care profession designed to help people regain and build skills that are important for performance of every-day activities. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work with people of all ages who, because of physical, developmental, social, or emotional issues, need specialized assistance in learning skills that enable them to lead independent, productive and satisfying lives.

What is an occupational therapy assistant?

A licensed occupational therapy assistant provides services to individuals whose abilities to cope with the tasks of living are threatened or impaired by developmental delays, the aging process, poverty, cultural differences, physical injury or illness, or psychological and social issues. Under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistants will administer intervention pertinent to restorative, preventative and maintenance programs.  Interventions approaches include, but are not limited to, activities of daily living training, therapeutic activities, orthotics (splints and braces) fabrication, specialized technique implementation, therapeutic (physical or psychological) group activities, adaptation of equipment, compensatory and intervention techniques and adaptive equipment, and environment adaptation.

Becoming a certified occupational therapy assistant

Following successful completion of an accredited occupational therapy assistant program, the occupational therapy assistant must pass the certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy. Having passed the national exam, the COTA will be governed by licensure laws of the state in which he or she practices. Arkansas requires licensure to practice occupational therapy.

Our occupational therapy assistant program

Prerequisites for acceptance are English Composition I and II, College Algebra, General Psychology, Computer Science, Introduction to Sociology, Abnormal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Kinesiology and Introduction to Occupational Therapy. Applicants must make a C grade or better in all courses for consideration. For a complete list of courses, see the college catalog.  The AAS in OTA is part of an Articulation Agreement with the University of Louisiana-Monroe toward transfer and additional degree completion of a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (Healthcare Management/Marketing [DLHS]). Please contact the SouthArk Transfer Advisor for more information.

The AAS in OTA is part of an Articulation Agreement with the University of Louisiana-Monroe toward transfer and additional degree completion of a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (Healthcare Management/Marketing [DLHS]). Please contact the SouthArk Transfer Advisor for more information.

Knowledge of pharmacology is also taken into account, since it is very important to understand how generic Cialis work properly.

Program Mission

We are committed to excellence in teaching and learning; individual differences;
applying knowledge in any professional environment; a lifelong professional career of service; and preparing the student for a lifelong pursuit of best clinical practice.

South Arkansas Community College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Graduation Rates

Graduation Rates for Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree
(does not indicate pass rate for national certification examination)

Reporting periods as follows:
Graduating Year 2018: Cohort start Program in Summer 2017 and finish in Fall 2018.
Graduating Year 2019: Cohort start Program in Summer 2018 and finish in Fall 2019.
Graduating Year 2020: Cohort start Program in Summer 2019 and finish in Fall 2020*.

*One student finished by 4/2021

National Examination Pass Rates

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.

National Certification examination pass rates for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program can be found on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy: School Performance Data website at https://www.nbcot.org/en/Educators/Home#SchoolPerformance.

Graduation Rates and National Examination Pass Rate information provided as required by accrediting agency.

Accreditation

The Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). ACOTE is located at: 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. (Phone 301-652-6611), www.acoteonline.org, www.aota.org.

ACOTE has granted a 7-year accreditation of the South Arkansas Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant program.  The next on-site evaluation is tentatively scheduled for the 2022/2023 academic year.

Compliance with USDE Final Rule §668.43(a)(5)(v)

The occupational therapy assistant program currently meets the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) requirements, and as such, fulfills the educational requirements for professional license or certification for employment as an occupational therapy assistant in all the 50 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Further information is available from ACOTE at: https://acoteonline.org/about/

 
Visit the Pinterest page for the OT Community of South Arkansas!

Admissions for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program have been suspended for the 2021-2022 program year.  

Future updates will be provided as they become available.

Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association


American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Omega Theta Alpha (OTA) is the student club for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.  This club offers students an opportunity to work together to assist pre-program students and provide service to community members.  Members also participate in developing a scrapbook of memories during their time in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.