Occupational Therapy Assistant
Program Number:
105141
Associate Degree in Applied Arts
Program Courses offered at the following Campuses:
About
Occupational therapy assistants serve individuals across the life span whose ability to participate in everyday occupations is complicated by developmental disability, physical and/or emotional illness, injury or aging. Occupations are the activities of daily life that have value to individuals and help them be contributing members of their communities. Occupational therapy assistants 1) use purposeful activities to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills needed to function; 2) offer alternative approaches and adaptations to compensate when needed and 3) promote the balance of self-care, work and leisure activities that results in the quality of life and level of independence valued by the individual.
This program prepares occupational therapy assistants who collaborate with occupational therapists. OT assistants are employed in community settings providing mental health, residential care and home health and work-related services as well as in nursing homes, hospitals and schools.
Accreditation/Credentialing: This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220, (301) 652-AOTA. Credentialing as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is separate from Madison Area Technical College graduation. Certification with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) requires passing a nationally administered OTA competency examination. Licensure by the State of Wisconsin or other states requires passing this certification exam and complying with any other state credentialing requirements. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Admissions
Requirements for Program Application
The following is required to process your application:
- Official High School transcripts OR official HSED/GED transcripts (this requirement is waived for applicants who have transcripts on file documenting the achievement of an Associate Degree or higher from an institution other than Madison College)
- COMPASS, ASSET, ACT or SAT test scores
For program waitlist information, refer to the Admission Information and Next Steps below.
Admission Processing Deadlines:
Fall 2012
Madison College begins collecting applications for the following year's fall semester on September 1, 2011. For this program applications and credentials must be received by July 1, 2012, to be considered for the fall semester.
Review the Essential Functions (PDF 18.04KB)
Admission information and Next Steps:
Program Outcomes
Program Outcomes:
- Adhere to the ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession
- Practice within the distinct role and responsibility of the occupational therapy assistant
- Advocate for the profession, services, and consumers
- Value life-long learning and the need to keep current with best practice
- Apply occupational therapy principles and intervention tools to achieve expected outcomes
- Serve a diverse population in a variety of systems that are consistent with entry level practice
Employment
Career Potential:
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
- Adult Day Care Coordinator
- Activities Coordinator
- Community Support Worker
- Life Skills Trainer
- Durable Medical Equipment Coordinator
- Job Coach
- Family Support Worker
- Supported Employment Specialist
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Assisted Living Program Coordinator/ Manager
- Case Manager
- Community-Based Residential Facility Manager
- Assistive Technology Provider
Additional Info
Program Requirements
- Caregiver Background Check (CBC);
- Physical exam and a completed Health History Form (pdf) on file prior to beginning fieldwork experiences involving direct client care; and
Essential functions for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program (PDF 21.98 KB).
Estimated Fees for Occupational Therapy Assistant (PDF 19.18KB)
Last Modified: September 23, 2011