OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

Occupational Therapy Assistant College Catalog Information

The college that works to help those who want to help others.

Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all “occupations” of their lives, things we do every day that are meaningful and give us purpose. For example, a college student’s occupation would be planning for a career, while the occupation of a preschool child may be learning a skill necessary for beginning kindergarten. Each occupation requires different skills.

Occupational therapy practitioners provide services to individuals who have been born with or have developed a health condition that affects the quality of their lives. Occupational therapy practitioners use meaningful and purposeful activities to help individuals regain or increase their level of independence.

Greenville Technical College offers an associate of science degree, with a concentration in Occupational Therapy. This degree allows graduates to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam. Upon passing the exam, graduates are able to work as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Greenville Tech’s program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in everyday activities. Occupational therapy assists people in developing the skills needed for independence.
Services typically include:

1. Customized treatment programs to improve the ability to perform
   daily activities
2. Home and job site evaluations with recommendations and modifications
3. Performance skills assessments and treatment
4. Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
5. Guidance to family members and caregivers

• Work-related injuries including lower back problems or repetitive stress injuries
• Limitations following a stroke or heart attack
• Arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or other serious chronic conditions
• Birth injuries, learning problems, or developmental disabilities
• Mental health or behavioral problems including Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress
• Problems with substance use or eating disorders
• Burns, spinal cord injuries, or amputations
• Broken bones or other injuries from falls, sports injuries, or accidents
• Vision or cognitive problems that threaten the ability to drive

About Occupational Therapy Practitioners Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury.

The occupational therapist enters the field with a masters, or doctoral degree. The occupational therapy assistant earns an associate degree.

Practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings, and pass a national examination. Most states also regulate occupational therapy practice.

Greenville Technical College offers an Associate of Science degree, with a concentration in Occupational Therapy. This is a degree which allows you to sit for a national exam and subject to passing that exam allows one to work under supervision of an Occupational Therapist. The title one would hold would be Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Employment opportunities include:

1. Hospitals
2. Rehabilitation centers
3. Schools
4. Home health care
5. Mental health facilities
6. Long-term care
7. Private practice
8. Industrial medicine

Monthly Career Talk sessions are offered at
Greenville Tech’s Greer Campus for students considering a career in health care.

Occupational Therapy Assistant 1 + 1 Program information

Additional Career Information

American Occupational Therapy Association New Graduate Vignettes

Additional American Occupational Therapy Association New Graduate Vignettes

Consider Becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant (from AOTA)

Professional Organizations

The American Occupational Therapy Association

The South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association