2006-2008 Catalog - Roane State Community College

7111-RoaneStCommColl 6/16/06 2:58 PM Page 152
Career Preparation Programs
152 ROANE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
A.A.S. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT
The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is a health professional who
uses purposeful activity with individuals who are limited by physical injury or illness,
psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, poverty and cultural
differences or the aging process. The COTA works under the supervision of a registered
occupational therapist (OTR) and collaborates with others to maximize independence,
prevent disability and maintain the health of individuals requiring services. Students
are trained in the skills and techniques necessary to participate in the treatment and testing
of patients. The educational program includes lecture and laboratory experiences as
well as practice in clinical settings.
ADMISSION TO THE OTA PROGRAM IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO TAKING
ANY OTA COURSES, with the exception of OTA 104 which has an open admissions
policy. Sixteen (16) hours of volunteer work experience with an occupational therapist
or an occupational therapy assistant is required prior to admission to the program. A
form evaluating and verifying 16 volunteer hours must be submitted to the OTA department
prior to the application deadline. An interview will be offered to the top 40
candidates. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Those not
accepted can apply for the following year or seek advisement on other possible career
options. The program is designed to be taken in sequence. All OTA courses are
taught on the Oak Ridge Campus with the exception of fieldwork assignments. All admissions
material must be submitted by the third Friday of January for the following
fall semester.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation
Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational
Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220,
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. Graduates of
the program will be able to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational
therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification of
Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual
will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Most states require
licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results
of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
NOTE: All OTA students must complete Level II Fieldwork within 18 months following
completion of academic preparation.
NOTE: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT
certification examination or attain state licensure. For more information contact
NBCOT at (301) 990-7979 or www.nbcot.org and the state licensure board at 1-888-
310-4650, ext. 2-5163 or www.state.tn.us/health.