What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is a health care profession that focuses on the health and well-being of individuals as they overcome disability, injury, or illness to build or return to a meaningful life. The profession of occupational therapy is centered on the individual person and uses activity as a therapeutic means for skill development and rehabilitation. Occupational therapy is a research-based profession; practitioners have a unique skill set with knowledge and training in anatomy, physiology, neurology, psychology, and activity analysis. The profession of Occupational Therapy is grounded in the roots of meaningful engagement, using occupation to allow all individuals to engage in a life that they love. Occupational Therapy helps individuals build skills for the job of living!

What is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

An Occupational Therapy Assistant is a licensed health care practitioner that works to help patients increase independence with activities of daily living. OTA’s work to facilitate problem-solving, strength, and coordination in the process of recovery from illness, injury, or disability to help individuals develop skills they don’t have or to recover skills that have been lost. Occupational Therapy Assistants work directly with patients on a consistent basis and follow treatment plans under the direction of the supervising Occupational Therapist.

Duties of an OTA:

• Implementation of occupational therapy plans
• Performing patient interventions
• Teaching individuals to
  • perform daily tasks
  • Using problem-solving
  • Improve independence
• Facilitate and Increase patient independence in natural settings

Why pursue an Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant at CCC?

Do you like working with people? Are you creative and innovative? Are you interested in the medical field?

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants are licensed health care professionals that can work in a variety of settings such as:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation centers
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Home health settings
• School-based settings
• Psychiatric hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Private-practice settings
• Emerging areas of practice (e.g. jails, recreational/leisure, or community benefit organizations).

Students completing the OTA Program will develop an understanding of the scope of practice for OTAs under the practice framework of Occupational Therapy in order to develop, restore, or maintain physical, cognitive, developmental, and/or psychosocial aspects of functioning that impact participation in activities of daily living.

The Associate in Science Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program is designed to prepare each student for competent entry-level practice, to prepare students to take and successfully pass the national certification examination and become a licensed as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

The 16-month OTA program is designed as a cohort model, with a new cohort beginning each Spring semester.

What are the Career Opportunities Available for Occupational Therapy Assistants?

The healthcare industry is growing in Fresno County. According to the State of California Employment Development Department, four major Fresno hospitals (Community Regional Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, Saint Agnes Medical Center, and VA Central California Health Care System) provide healthcare services to those in the community, which include therapy services.

According to the Employment Development Department, Labor Market Information Division, 2016-2026 Occupational Employment Projections for California, Occupational Therapy Assistants are projected to increase by 31.6%