The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program is offered through a consortia agreement between Baptist Health College Little Rock and UA - Pulaski Technical College. Upon completion of the OTA program, graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program is designed to prepare students in the theory and application skills required for an occupational therapy assistant career. In addition to theory and laboratory instruction, students participate in fieldwork experiences and instruction. The AAS degree program combines general education courses with technical skills courses to prepare graduates to serve in expanded roles required for allied health workers. Application to the program is through Baptist Health College Little Rock. Please contact Baptist Health College at (501) 202-6200 or (501) 202-7740 for more information on application procedures.
The Baptist Health College Little Rock-School of Occupational Therapy Assistant (BHCLR-SOTA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE’s telephone number, care of AOTA, is (301) 652- AOTA. The web address is www.acoteonline.org. BHCLR-SOTA 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 (including Arkansas) require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Licensure of the occupational therapy assistant in Arkansas is awarded by the Arkansas State Medical Board based on the results of the NBCOT examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT examination or attain state licensure. For additional information regarding the certification examination, contact NBCOT at 800 South Frederick Ave., Suite 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150. Enrollment in Occupational Therapy Assistant courses is limited. Students are selected through a formal competitive admission process. Students must be 18 years old, with a high school diploma or GED, and have completed all required prerequisite courses in order to apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. This program of study includes special program fees beyond current tuition and college fees.
In addition to satisfying the Institutional Learning Outcomes, program graduates are expected to successfully address the following program learning outcomes:
An entry-level occupational therapy assistant shall:
- Have acquired an educational foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, including a focus on issues related to diversity;
- Be educated as a generalist, with a broad exposure to the delivery models and systems utilized in settings where occupational therapy is currently practiced and where it is emerging as a service;
- Have achieved entry-level competence through a combination of academic and fieldwork education;
- Be prepared to work under the supervision of and in cooperation with the occupational therapist;
- Be prepared to articulate and apply occupational therapy principles, intervention approaches and rationales, and expected outcomes as these relate to occupation;
- Be prepared to be a lifelong learner and keep current with best practice;
- Uphold the ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession;
- Be prepared to comply with regulations related to state and federal statutes/laws;
- Exemplify the Baptist Health Code of Ethical Conduct;
- Be prepared to approach individualized treatment and intervention of disabled and age-specific patients or clients from a developmental and occupational therapy perspective.
The Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (2015) as published by the American Occupational Therapy Association:
Principle 1. Beneficence: occupational therapy personnel shall demonstrate a concern for the well-being and safety of the recipients of their services.
Principle 2. Non-maleficence: occupational therapy personnel shall refrain from actions that cause harm.
Principle 3. Autonomy: occupational therapy personnel shall respect the right of the Individual to self- determination, privacy, confidentiality, and consent.
Principle 4. Justice: occupational therapy personnel shall promote fairness and objectivity in the provision of occupational therapy services.
Principle 5. Veracity: occupational therapy personnel shall provide comprehensive, accurate, and objective information when representing the profession.
Principle 6. Fidelity: occupational therapy personnel shall treat clients, colleagues and other professionals with respect, fairness, discretion, and integrity.
BHCLR-SOTA 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).
Occupational Therapy Assistants work with clients from newborn to older adults in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and nursing homes. Please visit the US Department of Labor website (https://www.bls.gov/home.htm) to find out earning information.
Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and a minimum of 77% in all OTA educational components. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including Academic Suspension or Academic Withdrawal.
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