The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (OTA) is designed to provide a quality educational experience that will train prospective professionals in the art and science of promoting and maintaining the holistic health and wellness of people, organizations, and populations through engagement in occupation. Graduates will be able to perform/engage as entry level professionals under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist (OT). Graduates will develop skills necessary for employment as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, thereby meeting the students' individual needs and the expressed health-care needs of the local and extended communities served by the Colleges. The program strives to fill a growing need for professionals able to contribute to all facets of occupational therapy, from community-based programs to client-centered intervention. The program promotes the value and professional importance of life-long learning. A basic background in natural sciences, mathematics, communication, and behavioral sciences undergirds the specialized course work. Specialized course work prepares students for the certification examination they will take to become Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA). Employment may be in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, clinics, and other health care facilities, as well as within pediatric, community, or educational settings. Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (OTA) Curriculm Guide
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (OTA) is designed to provide a quality educational experience that will train prospective professionals in the art and science of promoting and maintaining the holistic health and wellness of people, organizations, and populations through engagement in occupation. Graduates will be able to perform/engage as entry level professionals under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist (OT). Graduates will develop skills necessary for employment as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, thereby meeting the students' individual needs and the expressed health-care needs of the local and extended communities served by the Colleges. The program strives to fill a growing need for professionals able to contribute to all facets of occupational therapy, from community-based programs to client-centered intervention. The program promotes the value and professional importance of life-long learning.
A basic background in natural sciences, mathematics, communication, and behavioral sciences undergirds the specialized course work. Specialized course work prepares students for the certification examination they will take to become Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA). Employment may be in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, clinics, and other health care facilities, as well as within pediatric, community, or educational settings.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (OTA) Curriculm Guide
The mission of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at JCTC is to provide a quality educational and training experience that will teach students the entry level skills necessary for employment as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, thereby meeting the students' individual needs and the expressed health-care needs of the local and extended communities served by the College. Graduates of JCTC's OTA Program will be caring, competent, and ethical professionals prepared to collaborate with OTRs in providing occupational therapy services; to participate in managing occupational therapy service; to direct activity programs; and to display values and attitudes that reflects the AOTA's professional standards and ethics.
We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, science-driven and evidence-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society’s occupational needs.
The U.S Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the job outlook for occupational therapy assistants will continue to grow. Specifically, it states that: Employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for occupational therapist assistants and aides will continue to rise because of the increasing number of individuals with disabilities or limited function. Where do occupational therapy practitioners work? Occupational therapy practitioners work in a variety of job settings. Public schools, hospitals, mental health centers, nursing homes, physician practices, and home health agencies are all job settings that may employ occupational therapy practitioners. With career advancement, occupational therapy practitioners may move into management, specialization, teaching, research, or private practice positions. One of the greatest advantages of a career as an occupational therapy assistant is the wide variety of opportunities available to graduates. Many occupational therapy assistants choose to work in community-based settings. Some jobs a COTA can do include... Activity Program Manager Vision Intervention Specialist Job Coach for Clients with Disabilities Group Home Manager Assistive Technology Consultant Orthotics Fabrication Specialist Inclusive Apparel Seamstress Case Manager for Clients in Supportive Living Wheelchair Vendor Independent Living Skills Trainer Director of Day Care for Special Needs Children Office/Factory Ergonomics Consultant Web Sight Designer for Consumers with Disabilities Specialist in Lifestyle Redesign Daily Living Skills Counselor for Eating Disorder Clients Corporate Wellness Director Community Integration Specialist Inclusion Specialist for Recreation Programs Home Modification Consultant Rehab Equipment Salesperson Teacher Aid for Special Needs Student Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist What is the salary for occupational therapy assistants? Median annual wages of occupational therapist assistants were $48,230 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,240 and $57,810. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,160. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of occupational therapist assistants in May 2008 were: Home health care services $53,090 Offices of other health practitioners 50,810 Nursing care facilities 50,790 General medical and surgical hospitals 45,760 Elementary and secondary schools 41,850 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos166.htm. Does occupational therapy offer opportunities for individuals of culturally diverse backgrounds? Yes, the occupational therapy profession is actively seeking to increase the number of practitioners representing culturally diverse backgrounds. Target populations include African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders. Other underrepresented groups include people with disabilities and men.
The U.S Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the job outlook for occupational therapy assistants will continue to grow. Specifically, it states that: Employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for occupational therapist assistants and aides will continue to rise because of the increasing number of individuals with disabilities or limited function.
Where do occupational therapy practitioners work?
Occupational therapy practitioners work in a variety of job settings. Public schools, hospitals, mental health centers, nursing homes, physician practices, and home health agencies are all job settings that may employ occupational therapy practitioners. With career advancement, occupational therapy practitioners may move into management, specialization, teaching, research, or private practice positions. One of the greatest advantages of a career as an occupational therapy assistant is the wide variety of opportunities available to graduates. Many occupational therapy assistants choose to work in community-based settings. Some jobs a COTA can do include... Activity Program Manager Vision Intervention Specialist Job Coach for Clients with Disabilities Group Home Manager Assistive Technology Consultant Orthotics Fabrication Specialist Inclusive Apparel Seamstress Case Manager for Clients in Supportive Living Wheelchair Vendor Independent Living Skills Trainer Director of Day Care for Special Needs Children Office/Factory Ergonomics Consultant Web Sight Designer for Consumers with Disabilities Specialist in Lifestyle Redesign Daily Living Skills Counselor for Eating Disorder Clients Corporate Wellness Director Community Integration Specialist Inclusion Specialist for Recreation Programs Home Modification Consultant Rehab Equipment Salesperson Teacher Aid for Special Needs Student Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist
Occupational therapy practitioners work in a variety of job settings. Public schools, hospitals, mental health centers, nursing homes, physician practices, and home health agencies are all job settings that may employ occupational therapy practitioners. With career advancement, occupational therapy practitioners may move into management, specialization, teaching, research, or private practice positions. One of the greatest advantages of a career as an occupational therapy assistant is the wide variety of opportunities available to graduates. Many occupational therapy assistants choose to work in community-based settings. Some jobs a COTA can do include...
What is the salary for occupational therapy assistants?
Median annual wages of occupational therapist assistants were $48,230 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,240 and $57,810. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,160. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of occupational therapist assistants in May 2008 were: Home health care services $53,090 Offices of other health practitioners 50,810 Nursing care facilities 50,790 General medical and surgical hospitals 45,760 Elementary and secondary schools 41,850 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos166.htm.
Median annual wages of occupational therapist assistants were $48,230 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,240 and $57,810. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,160. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of occupational therapist assistants in May 2008 were:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos166.htm.
Does occupational therapy offer opportunities for individuals of culturally diverse backgrounds?
Yes, the occupational therapy profession is actively seeking to increase the number of practitioners representing culturally diverse backgrounds. Target populations include African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders. Other underrepresented groups include people with disabilities and men.
Because faculty spend the majority of their time teaching, the preferred method of contact is via email. Pam Smithy, MS, OTR/LProgram CoordinatorPhone: 502-213-2342Office: HSB 459 Lindsey Lawrence, BGS, COTA/L, ROHAcademic Fieldwork CoordinatorPhone: 502-213-2214Office: HSB 458 Mary WarfordAllied Health Secretary502-213-4296 Phyllis Diedrich Allied Health Master Advisor502- 213-2277 Allied Health and Nursing Direct Line: 502-213-4050 Allied Health Advising Office: 502-213-2245 Allied Health Division Office: 502-213-4200 or 502-213-4296
Because faculty spend the majority of their time teaching, the preferred method of contact is via email.
Pam Smithy, MS, OTR/LProgram CoordinatorPhone: 502-213-2342Office: HSB 459
Lindsey Lawrence, BGS, COTA/L, ROHAcademic Fieldwork CoordinatorPhone: 502-213-2214Office: HSB 458
Mary WarfordAllied Health Secretary502-213-4296
Phyllis Diedrich Allied Health Master Advisor502- 213-2277
Allied Health and Nursing Direct Line: 502-213-4050
Allied Health Advising Office: 502-213-2245
Allied Health Division Office: 502-213-4200 or 502-213-4296
Curriculum Guide
JCTC results of National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
If you are interested in becoming a Level I or Level II fieldwork educator for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Jefferson Community and Technical College please contact Lindsey Lawrence at 502-213-2342 or Lindsey.Lawrence@KCTCS.edu