Program Overview & Essential Information

Students must be degree-ready, having completed all general education coursework and OTA program pre-requisite coursework and requirements to be eligible for admission to the OTA program.

The core OTA Program coursework totals 43 units including didactic and fieldwork experiences. Courses are completed in a designated sequence over a continuous 16-month period including 3 full semesters and 1 summer session. Program coursework includes a combination of face-to-face, on campus courses and online, web-based courses.

On-Campus Courses & Fieldwork:

Courses are scheduled to meet on campus 3 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) in the late afternoon/early evening with additional scheduled Saturday sessions. Students are required to complete 100 hours (5 x 20 hours) of off-site, level I fieldwork experiences during the first 3 semesters/sessions. Students are required to complete two eight-week, full-time (40 hours per week) Level II fieldwork rotations during the final semester.

Technology Requirements:

The technical requirements for online courses include access to Canvas, computer/device with a microphone (to deliver and record sound), speakers (to hear sound) or ability to read closed captioning, and web-cam capabilities for project completion and/or any synchronous class meetings. Students are advised to have basic computer skills to access email, access online resources, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Once enrolled, student tutorials are available to guide students on the use of Canvas on The Atomic Learning Platform.

If a student does not have a computer, computers are available for students to check out and use through the technology loan program available at the Clovis Community College Library

Essential Functions:

The minimal functions of the Occupational Therapy Assistant include the following essential abilities. Please note that prospective students must be able to perform the following skills.

Motor & Mobility Abilities:

  1. Ability to move from room to room and safely maneuver within small spaces.
  2. Physically lift and transfer patients who may require physical assistance.
  3. Guard and assist patients with ambulation.
  4. Perform exercise techniques, including applying resistance during exercise.
  5. Lift and carry up to 50 pounds and exert up to 100 pounds of force for push/pull.
  6. Squat, crawl, bend/stoop, reach above shoulder level, kneel, use standing balance, and climb stairs.
  7. Ability to use upper extremities and hands repetitively, using fingers and hands for manual dexterity.
  8. Adjust, apply, and clean therapeutic equipment
  9. Ability to perform CPR.
  10. Ability to travel to and from academic and clinical sites.
  11. Ability to complete tasks required for the program including but not limited to, within the average clinical day students sit 1-2 hours, stand 6-7 hours, travel 1-3 hours.

Sensory Capability:

  1. Coordinate verbal and manual instruction.
  2. Assess a patient 10 feet away to observe the patient's posture and response to treatment.
  3. Ability to respond to a timer, alarm, or cries for help quickly and expeditiously
  4. Ability to assess and monitor vital signs.
  5. Auditory, visual, and tactile abilities are sufficient to assess patient status and perform treatments. (Example: color changes in the skin, hear heart and lung sounds).

Communication Ability:

  1. Communicate effectively in English with patients, families, and other health care providers, both verbally and written. (Example: explain treatment procedures, teach patients and families, document in charts).
  2. Effectively adapt communication for the intended audience.
  3. Interact, and establish rapport with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
  4. Ability to demonstrate professionalism and assume the role of a health care team member.
  5. Ability to function effectively under supervision.
  6. Demonstrate the capacity to apply and utilize problem-solving abilities.
  7. Function effectively under stress.
  8. Respond appropriately to emergencies.
  9. Adhere to infection control procedures.
  10. Demonstrate problem-solving skills in inpatient care. (Measure, calculate, reason, prioritize and synthesize data).
  11. Ability to follow and use sound judgment and safety precautions.
  12. Address problems or questions to the appropriate person at the appropriate time.
  13. Organize and prioritize job tasks.
  14. Follow policies and procedures required by clinical and academic settings.