It’s never been a better time to enter the growing health care field. And there are fewer health care careers as in-demand right now as occupational therapist assistants. Now you can become one in as little as two years through Mercyhurst North East’s occupational therapist assistant associate degree program.
Occupational therapy assistants help people of all ages regain, develop, or master everyday skills in order to live independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Whether it’s an infant with developmental problems, and elderly person facing health challenges, or a person who is living with disabilities, OTAs help patients with rehabilitative activities and exercises and monitor their progress.
At Mercyhurst North East, you’ll get both classroom instruction and fieldwork in actual OT settings, providing you with the knowledge and hands-on skills to succeed in this growing field. The integrated two-year curriculum consists of a balance of liberal studies, science and technical courses. Course topics include abnormal psychology, psychosocial disabilities, physical disabilities, pediatrics and aging populations.
After successful completion of this program, the individual will be eligible to sit for the OTA certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
What can I do with this degree?
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) work under the direction of occupational therapists to provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities. OTAs help clients with rehabilitative activities and exercises outlined in a treatment plan developed in collaboration with an occupational therapist. Activities can range from teaching the proper method of moving from a bed into a wheelchair to the best way to stretch muscles. Assistants monitor an individual’s activities to make sure that they are performed correctly, provide encouragement and record their client’s progress. OTAs also work with the therapists to assess progress and make appropriate treatment changes.
OTAs work in a variety of job settings, including:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Mental health centers
- Nursing homes
- Home health agencies
MNE alum may also go on to earn a master’s degree in occupational therapy to practice as an occupational therapist.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapist assistants is expected to grow an astounding 30 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than average for all occupations.
Of the 15 graduates of this program, 14 have taken the national certification examination. 11 individuals passed the test on the first attempt for a first time pass rate of 76%.
Note: 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 301-652-2682. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
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