Indexed Adobe PDF (Spring 2011-Full Version) - SUNY Orange

Occupational Therapy AssistantDegree Awarded: Associate in Applied ScienceAccredited by the Accreditaton Council for Occupational Therapy Education, 4720 Montgomery Lane, PO Box31220,Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. (301) 652-AOTARecommended Course SequenceFirst SemesterCreditsENG 101 Freshman English 1 3ENG 160 Technical Writing Module 1.5PSY 101 General Psychology 1 3BIO 111 Anatomy & Physiology 1 4OTA 101 Fund. of Occupational Therapy 1 3OTA 103 Occupational Performance 1 1OTA 107 Principles of OT in Geriatrics &Gerontology 2PES 100 Concepts of Physical Wellness 1Second SemesterENG 102 Freshman English 2 3PSY 220 Developmental Psychology 3BIO 112 Anatomy & Physiology 2 4OTA 102 Fund. of Occupational Therapy 2 3OTA 104 Occupational Performance 2 1OTA 106 Medical Conditions 3PES ____ Physical Education 1Third SemesterCreditsCOM 101 Foundations of Communication 3ENG 161 Technical Writing Module 1.5PSY 230 Abnormal Psychology 3SOC____ Sociology Elective 3OTA 201 Principles of OT in Pediatrics& Developmental Disabilities 3OTA 203 Clinical Reasoning Skills 1OTA 205 Principles of OccupationalTherapy in Mental Health 3OTA 207 Principles of OccupationalTherapy in Physical Disabilities 3Fourth SemesterOTA 217 Clinical Practice 1 7.5OTA 218 Clinical Practice 2 7.5Total Credits: 72Program DescriptionThe Associate in Applied Science degree program inOccupational Therapy Assistant prepares graduates toobtain New York State certification and to take theNational Certification Board for Occupational Therapyexam* to become Certified Occupational TherapyAssistants (COTA). Certified Occupational TherapyAssistants work under the supervision of, and incollaboration with, Registered Occupational Therapists(OTR). Occupational therapy practitioners provide serviceto children, adults and seniors whose abilities to engage intheir occupations (tasks) of living are impaired by physicalinjury or illness, developmental delays, the aging process orpsychological and social disability.The COTA’s responsibilities include providing purposefuland meaningful activity to restore lost or impaired physical,cognitive and psychological skills; development and use ofassistive technology; adapting home, play and workenvironments and activities to ensure successful and safeperformance. The COTA may design adapted toys andgames for a child with physical limitations; providehandwriting adaptations for students within a schoolsetting to enhance their learning process; evaluate anddesign home adaptations to enhance independence in selfcareactivities such as feeding, bathing, shaving, cookingand dressing; encourage the elderly client to participate inleisure activities and to maintain personal independence.The primary focus of the curriculum is on thedevelopment of critical thinking and clinical problemsolvingskills, and on essential elements in designing andapplying therapeutic interventions for the clients served byCOTAs. The program includes classroom instruction,laboratory and community-based fieldwork rotations.Occupational therapy assistant courses are offered onceeach year. Courses must be taken in the sequence in whichthey are offered. A minimum grade of C is required in alloccupational therapy assistant courses. The course of studymay be pursued on a part-time basis. All programrequirements must be completed within six consecutivesemesters from the time of enrollment in the first OTAcourse. Individualized part-time schedules can bedeveloped between the student and the OTA facultyadvisor.* Note: Graduates of the OTA program are required toapply for NBCOT® certification. Candidates applying forthe Certification Examination must notify the NBCOT’sQualifications Review Committee (QRC) if they have everbeen charged with or convicted of a felony. A felonyconviction may prevent the candidate from taking theexamination. Please consult the department chair if thismay be an issue in successfully pursuing a career inoccupational therapy.140 www.sunyorange.edu Spring 2011