Refer to Admission: Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program in Admission Information for special admission procedures and criteria.

This career major prepares the student to work as an Occupational Therapy Assistant with people who are limited by physical injury or illness, mental health problems, developmental or learning disabilities, or the aging process. Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) work under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist (OT) providing all levels of patient treatment. The student learns to utilize manual and creative arts, purposeful activities, exercises, adaptive devices, daily living tasks and leisure activities to assist patients to achieve their highest level of function.

Those working in occupational therapy would be expected to assist the OT in assessing patient needs, determining therapeutic goals, planning treatment activities, carrying out treatment procedures, communicating with patients and health care providers, documenting patient progress, and maintaining clinical environments. Assistants are employed in rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, schools, day treatment centers, outpatient clinics and other community agencies.

Students are admitted to the Occupational Therapy Program based on the date a complete application packet is submitted to include the following: OTA application, completed immunizations and/or tests, official transcripts of all science prerequisites and courses completed in the major if taken outside of GCCCD. Program applications are accepted year round and is a separate process from an application to Grossmont College.

For all information on admission criteria, see the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program website at https://www.grossmont.edu/academics/programs/health-professions/occupational-therapy-assistant/.

Grossmont College prepares the student for an Associate Degree in Science as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. In addition to the occupational therapy assistant courses, the major requires selected general education courses to be successfully completed for the degree. Upon completion of all degree requirements, the graduate is eligible to apply to take the national certification exam for Occupational Therapy Assistants administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). All states require licensure to practice as an OTA however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Exam.

The Associate Degree Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852, 301-652-6611, https://www.acoteonline.org/.

Graduates of the OTA program are also eligible to transfer into a higher degree program upon completion of the Associates Degree program. Appropriate courses are fully accepted on transfer by the University of California, the California State University and by private four-year colleges and universities.

Important: Any prior conviction of a misdemeanor or felony may influence eligibility for licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. A flagged background check or drug screen may also prohibit participation in the OTA program, eligibility for state licensure and securing employment. Applicants with prior convictions are urged to contact the Occupational Therapy Board of California at 916-263-2294 and the NBCOT at 301-990-7979.

Career Opportunities

https://www.grossmont.edu/student-support/career-center/resources.php

Activities Director
ADA Assistant
Administrator¹
Behavioral Support Assistant
Special Education Teacher Assistant / Aide
Camp Counselor
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
Ergonomics Assistant
Health Educator
Healthcare Consultant
Occupational Therapist¹
Recreation Leader
Recreation Program Assistant
Rehab Director
Teacher¹
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor¹

¹

Additional education is required.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in the foundational skills and knowledge of occupational therapy as a profession, including anatomy, physiology, the history of the profession, and the principles of therapeutic use of self to effectively engage clients in meaningful activities.
2. Apply ethical reasoning and the principles of therapeutic use of self to ensure client-centered and evidence-based practice.
3. Integrate occupational therapy principles to design and implement interventions that address clients' unique needs, promoting engagement in meaningful and purposeful activities.
   
4. Apply clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills to adapt interventions and utilize assistive technology, addressing the dynamic needs of clients across the lifespan.
5. Advocate for the value of occupational therapy by collaborating with clients, families, and communities to enhance health, wellness, and quality of life through occupation-based approaches.
6. Exhibit cultural humility and competence by respecting and integrating diverse cultural perspectives, values, and practices into therapeutic interactions and intervention planning.
7. Maintain professionalism and develop a strong professional identity by upholding ethical responsibilities, demonstrating effective communication, engaging in life-long learning, and fostering inclusive environments within intra and inter- professional teams.
8. Demonstrate competence in clinical skills, including observation, intervention planning, and documentation, to meet client goals and achieve successful outcomes in a variety of practice settings.
9. Reflect on and integrate feedback from clinical experiences to continuously improve professional practice and client care delivery.

All Allied Health and Nursing students adhere to the graduation requirements outlined in the college catalog for the academic year in which they enter the program.

Associate Degree Major Requirements

Note: All courses must be completed with a letter grade of "C" or higher or "Pass."

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Select one of the following:		7-8
BIO-140 & BIO-141	Human Anatomy and Human Physiology
BIO-144 & BIO-145	Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II
FS-120	Human Development	3
or CD-125	Child Growth and Development
or CD-131	Child, Family and Community
or ETHN-125	Cross-Cultural Psychology
or PSYC-C1000	Introduction to Psychology
or PSY-125	Cross-Cultural Psychology
OTA-100	Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy	2
OTA-105	Fundamentals of Activity/Therapeutic Media	3
OTA-107	Occupational Therapy Assistant Preliminary Skills	0.5
OTA-111	Experiential/Simulation I	1
OTA-115	Dynamics of Human Movement	4
OTA-117	Introduction to Personal and Professional Responsibilities	2
OTA-125	Occupational Skills-Psychosocial Interventions	3
OTA-135	Occupational Therapy Skills in Physical Rehabilitation, Orthopedic, and Medical Intervention	3
OTA-140	Occupational Skills Development in Pediatric Roles	3
OTA-141	Experiential/Simulation II	1
OTA-145	Assistive Technology for Occupational Therapies Assistants	2
OTA-205	Evidence Based Practice	2
OTA-217
OTA-220	Advanced Occupational Therapy Skills for Physical Dysfunction	3
OTA-221	Experiential/Simulation III	1
OTA-225
OTA-230	Occupational Therapy Management	2
OTA-235	OTA Review	3
OTA-240	Clinical Practicum IV	6
OTA-241	Level IIB Fieldwork	6
OTA-251	Level IIB Fieldwork	6
Units in the major		63.5-64.5
Plus General Education Requirements