Occupational Therapy Assistant

This course is a foundation course offered in the first semester of the first year. It provides the students with an introduction to patient care, foundational intervention, and an introductory understanding to the practice as an OTA and PTA. The course builds upon concepts presented in AHLT 104R Introduction to OT/PT and OCTA 110R Fundamentals of OT. This course provides an opportunity for both OTA and PTA students to begin integrating team collaboration

This combined occupational and physical therapy course introduces foundational concepts related to patient/practitioner interaction and safety.  Students will learn safe practices related to patient mobility, handling, and positioning; body mechanics, therapeutic relationships, effects of disability, management of daily living, and equipment needs.  Data collection and documentation will also be introduced.  An understanding of how utilization of these skills in a variety of clinical settings and from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds is addressed. These skills provide a strong foundation for future competence in treatment planning and implementation.