Associate of Applied Science - Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational therapy is a health discipline that provides services to people whose lives have been disrupted by physical injury, illness, and developmental, psychosocial, or aging-related problems. “Occupational” in this sense does not necessarily refer to a person’s employment. Instead, it means therapy that enables a person to gain the function necessary to perform day-to-day work, self-care and leisure activities as related to one’s roles. Occupational therapy assistants are often part of a health team that not only includes an occupational therapist but may also include physicians, nurses, social workers, teachers, physical therapists and other specialists. Besides preparing to become occupational therapy assistants, students in this program learn many skills that will serve in other helping careers.

Occupational therapy assistants are employed at public schools, long-term care centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and geriatric day centers to name a few. Assistants work under the supervision and consultation of an occupational therapist to provide patient treatments. They also provide assistance with patient assessments.

Program Outcomes: • Demonstrate mastery of the occupational therapy foundational content requirements. • Discuss the basic tenets of occupational therapy. • Conduct and document a screening and evaluation process. • Intervene and implement occupational therapy processes. • Describe the context of occupational therapy services. • Assist in the management of occupational therapy services. • Read and use professional literature in the field of occupational therapy. • Discuss the importance of ethics, values and responsibilities in the field of occupational therapy.