Occupational Therapy Assistant
Faculty
Ms. Jan Kress, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director
Ms. Tasha Champagne, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Description
Trinity offers an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Associate of Applied Science degree. This degree educates students to work under the supervision and in cooperation with an occupational therapist (OT) to help people across the lifespan engage in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities called occupations.
This major prepares you to work in various settings that include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, sub-acute facilities, psychiatric and community based programs, schools, nursing homes, private practice and other emerging practice areas.
Degree Requirements
Students complete 26 credits of pre-requisite courses before applying to the OTA program. These can be taken at Trinity in either the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Professional Studies, or credits can be transferred. Students then complete 44 credits of OTA-specific courses, which blend online and on-campus learning.
Prerequisite Courses (26 credits)
BIOL 121 Human Anatomy and Physiology IA systematic approach to the study of the human body. The first part of this year-long course emphasizes the tissues, the integumentary system, the bones and skeletal tissue, muscles and muscle tissue, and the nervous system. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
Prerequisite/Co-requisite: MATH 102, MATH 108 or MATH 109 or test score placement (CAS Only)
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
BIOL 122 Human Anatomy and Physiology IIA systematic aproach to the study of the human body. The second part of this year-long course emphasizes the endocrine, lymphatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. Prerequisite BIOL 121. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
ENGL 107 College CompositionDevelops skills necessary for effective writing of thesis-centered essays at the college level, including analytical, critical, and argumentative essays. Research and documentation techniques included. Students in the School of Professional Studies may not take this course pass/fail. Formerly ENG 107 College Composition.
3 credits
Prerequisites for College of Arts and Sciences: ENGL 105 with grade of "C" or better or placement test proficiency
Prerequisites for School of Professional Studies: ENGL 105 with a grade of C or better OR score of 9 or higher on Writing portion of Accuplacer test.
General Education: Foundational Skills Area
FLC Area I Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
HPNU 110 Professional and Career Success in the Health ProfessionsThis course is intended as an introductory professional genesis course for students entering the health professions and introduces the concepts of knowledge, skills, values, meanings, and experiences as the basis for professional practice. This course is designed to strengthen the student's critical reading skills through close readings of texts on contemporary health care issues. Students will explore the evolution of the various disciplines in the health professions and models of professional socialization. Current issues and trends influencing the health care delivery system, such as increased use of technology, rising health care costs, and maintaining quality in health care agencies are among the topics of discussion. Students will be exposed to the use of select electronic data bases as information sources, as well as techniques of professional writing.
3 credits (SPS students) or CRS 101 Critical Reading SeminarStrengthens critical reading skills through close readings of disciplinary texts. The course focuses on foundational critical reading objectives, among which are identifying the text's thesis or themes, main points, and types and quality of evidence, paraphrasing or summarizing the content and meaning of the text, identifying the text's purpose and audience, identifying the author's organizational and rhetorical strategies, and recognizing strengths, weaknesses, and inconsistencies in the text.
3 credits
Prerequisite: CRS 100S with a grade of C or better, or placement test proficiency (CAS students–Health Professionals designated section)
MATH 108 Finite MathematicsThis course is intended to provide a broad-based general overview of college mathematics, especially for those majoring in the social sciences, business, nursing, and allied health fields. Topics include a continuation of the algebra topics of Math 101S, such as critical thinking skills, sets, logic and the real number system. Also covered are graphs, functions, modeling and data analysis, use of matrices to solve systems of equations, systems of linear inequalities and understanding of dimensional analysis, and conversions to and from the metric system. Formerly MATH 108 and MAT 108 Elementary Mathematical Modeling.
3 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 101S or placement test proficiency
General Education: Foundation Skills Area
FLC Area IV Quantitative Analysis Cluster
PSYC 101 Introductory PsychologyIntroduces the student to the scientific study of the mind and behavior. All major sub-areas of psychology (social, developmental, clinical, physiological, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception) are explored, as well as the major theoretical perspectives (behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and humanistic). Formerly PSY 121 Introductory Psychology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core: Area II
PSYC 231 Child PsychologyReviews theories of development and contemporary research and how they relate to current social issues concerning children. The developmental period from conception through middle childhood is the focus, with topics including cognitive changes, language acquisition, sensory-motor, moral, and socioemotional development. Formerly PSY 257 Child Psychology.
3 credits
FLC Area V
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor
SOCY 100 Introduction to SociologyIntroduces students to the science of sociology and prepares students for upper-level social science course work. Formerly SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society
OTA Courses (44 credits)
Semester 1
OTA 100 Introduction to Occupational TherapyThis course will introduce the occupational therapy assistant student (OTA) to the role of occupational therapy in promoting the health and participation of people, organizations and populations through engagement in occupation. Topics include history, the professions philosophical base, the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, AOTA official documents, and the delineation of roles between registered occupational therapist and certified occupational therapy assistant. The Occupational Adaption model will be introduced as a theoretical framework for the OTA program.
2 credits
Prerequisites: None
OTA 110 Occupational Therapy Assistant Skills Lab IThis course will engage the OTA student in basic principles of ADL/ IADL and techniques of patient care in various virtual or real-time occupational therapy settings. Topics include management of the patient/client throughout the OT process, infection control, safety issues and medical emergencies and or incidents, legal and professional obligations to promote safety for self, the client, family and others. The role of the OTA as a team member in healthcare and community settings is explored.
2 credits
Prerequisites: None
OTA 120 Movement in Everyday ActivitiesThis course will focus on kinesiology concepts and basic principles of biomechanics to understand how movement affects occupational performance. Topics include formal and informal assessment of movement as well as analysis of movement in areas of occupation.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
OTA 124 Pathology for the OT PractitionerThis course examines specific conditions or diagnosis seen in occupational therapy practice. Musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and general topics in clinical medicine will be investigated with emphasis on etiology, basic pathogenesis, commonly observed signs and symptoms, course, prognosis, and precautions. Concepts of health, illness and disability will be addressed in relationship to theories used in occupational therapy practice as well as the effects of a condition on occupational performance and occupational well-being.
2 credits
Prerequisites: None
OTA 130 Analysis of Occupations Across the LifespanThis course will examine the concepts of occupation in relation to the self and through observation of others engaging in occupations. Students learn how to apply occupation to the profession of occupational therapy through activity analysis and activity synthesis. Topics include basic conceptual foundations of occupational science, evolution of occupation across the lifecourse and use of purposeful activities as therapeutic tools to enhance occupational engagement.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
Semester 2
OTA 114 Occupations and Activities in GroupsThis course will focus on the environment, performance, and cultural contexts of groups. Topics include the OTA role in therapeutic groups, OT and professional teams. Group process is highlighted.
2 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 110, OTA 120, OTA 124, and OTA 130
OTA 104 Professional Issues in OT/ Critical Thinking IThis course will examine standards of practice for the occupational therapy assistant delivering occupational therapy services. Topics include professional standing and responsibilities, fieldwork, licensure requirements, scope of practice, and role of the OT and OTA in screening, evaluation / re-evaluation, intervention, documentation and advocacy. Critical thinking and professional reasoning skills of communication and collaboration, as well as understanding the relationship between theory and practice will be emphasized through case studies, discussions and role playing. Students will begin to develop a professional portfolio to assess understanding, performance and accomplishments as an OTA student.
2 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 110, OTA 120, OTA 124, and OTA 130
OTA 134 Intervention and Tools in Mental HealthThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in mental health practice. Topics include historical events in the development of psychosocial and mental health care throughout the life course, introduction of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM), including co morbidities with severe and persistent mental illness, psychotropic drugs, use of theory, evaluation and data collection, evidence and occupation-based intervention, and issues that impact psychological and social factors of mental health and occupational performance.
3 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 110, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130, and PSYC 231
OTA 128 Rehabilitative/Universal/ Assistive TechnologiesThis course will introduce the OTA student to technology used to increase, maintain or improve occupational performance in persons with disabilities. Topics include: low and high technology devices, communication and mobility aids, orthotics/prosthetics, positioning devices, computer programs, physical agent modalities (PAMS), and universal design.
2 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 110, OTA 120, OTA 124, and OTA 130
OTA 138 Intervention and Tools in GeriatricsThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in geriatrics. Topics include trends and concepts of aging, health and well-being, health equity and determinants of health that interfere with participation in daily occupations. Use of theory, evidence and occupation-based interventions and review of current geriatric literature will define this expanding OTA practice area. The Life Style ReDesign® model will be used as an example to create programs for older adults with and without disabilities.
3 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, 110, 120, 124, and 130
Semester 3
OTA 204 Professional Issues in OT/ Critical Thinking IIThis course will focus on professional communication across disciplines and the OTA role as a manager, consultant, and researcher. Management and systems provision of OT services in various practice settings will be discussed. The OTA student will have the chance to participate in roundtable discussion with OT practitioners in the Washington DC area who practice in specialty and or emerging practice areas. Topics include but are not limited to NDT, SI, dysphasia, home safety, NICU, ergonomics, prevention, private practice, obesity, mobility, low vision and autism.
2 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, 104, 110, 114, 120, 124, 128, 130, 134, and 138
OTA 210 OT Skills Lab IIThis course will prepare the OTA student to select and implement methods and techniques that prepare the client for occupational performance. Topics include manual therapy for the child/adult orthopedic client, motor control techniques and handling for the child/adult neurological client, orthotic/ splint fabrication/ modification, prosthetics, physical agent modalities (PAMS), directed exercise, home-exercise programs and application of the teaching-learning process.
1 credit
Prerequisites: OTA 100, 104, 110, 114, 120, 124, 128, 130, 134, and 138.
OTA 234 Intervention and Tools in Adult RehabilitationThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in physical dysfunction practice. Topics include history, trends and OT management of acute and chronic neurological, orthopedic, cardiac, oncology and infectious conditions; use of theory, evaluation and data collection, evidence and occupation-based intervention, as well as clinical pharmacology. Emphasis will be placed on client factors and its affect on occupational performance.
3 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, 104, 110, 114, 120, 124, 128, 130, 134, and 138
OTA 238 Intervention & Tools in PediatricsThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in pediatrics. Topics include review of human development and the study of occupations for the infant, child through adolescence from a reflexive, sensory, motor, behavior, social and activity standpoint. Use of theory, evaluation and data collection, evidence and occupation-based interventions with the typical and atypical child are emphasized.
3 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 104, OTA 110, OTA 114, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 128, OTA 130, OTA 134, and OTA 138.
INT 109 Information LiteracyTechnology has brought a vast new world of information resources into the classroom and the University. We are accessing, analyzing and communicating information faster than every before. A measure of success today is how well one can discover, retrieve, evaluate, manage and communicate all forms of data, information and knowledge within a technological environment both ethically and legally. This course introduces Trinity students to the information and technology tools that support the information discovery, analysis and integration that are part of critical thinking and communicating. This includes having a fundamental understanding of the ethical and legal issues.
3 credits
Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life (SPS students) or COM 110 Communication for Academic SuccessThis course is designed to help students develop the skills that are necessary for effective interpersonal and small group communication. Students will learn to participate in varied communication contexts that involve both formal and more interactive formats. The course provides them with the opportunity to communicate more effectively with an audience in small group and public contexts.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Foundational Skills (CAS students)
Semester 4
OTA 291 Fieldwork IA minimum of 8 weeks of supervised experience applying occupational therapy skills and concepts. Students will actively engage in the OT process while developing and practicing skills of an entry-level OTA. Students will be assigned to practice setting working with individuals with developmental, physical or emotional challenges. Fieldwork is off campus and students are responsible for transportation and room and board.
4 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 101, OTA 110, OTA 114, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 128, OTA 130, OTA 134, OTA 138, OTA 204, OTA 210, OTA 234, and OTA 238.
OTA 292 Fieldwork IIA minimum of 8 weeks of supervised experience applying occupational therapy skills and concepts. Students will actively engage in the OT process while developing and practicing skills of an entry-level OTA. Students will be assigned to practice setting working with individuals that differs that offered in Fieldwork I. Fieldwork is off campus and students are responsible for transportation and room and board.
4 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 104, OTA 110, OTA 114, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 128, OTA 130, OTA 134, OTA 138, OTA 204, OTA 210, OTA 234, and OTA 238.
Program Policies
Questions from non-Trinity students regarding the application process and acceptance criteria should be directed to the Admissions Office. Questions from a current Trinity student regarding the application process and acceptance criteria should be directed to the student’s undergraduate advisor in either the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Professional Studies or to the Nursing Program Office (202.885.9670).
Students must meet four general requirements to graduate and receive an Associate of Applied Science degree with an Occupational Therapy Assistant major:
1. Successful completion of all program pre-requisite courses
2. Completion of the major program’s course of study (70 credits) including fieldwork experiences
3. All OTA designated courses completed at Trinity
4. Completion of all credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree
The requirements to graduate from Trinity with an Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.) in health professional programs include the successful completion of the following:
- A minimum of 70 credits.
- For students matriculating in after Fall 2002, 45 of the final 60 credits, excluding credits for experiential learning, and all OTA designated credits must be completed at Trinity.
- All specific course work required for a major program of study in the respective health care program.
- Completion of all fieldwork requirements
Program Accreditation
The occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (A.C.O.T.E.) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (A.O.T.A.), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. A.C.O.T.E.’s telephone number, c/o A.O.T.A., is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (N.B.C.O.T.). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (C.O.T.A.). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the N.B.C.O.T. Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the N.B.C.O.T. certification examination or attain state licensure.