Occupational Therapy Assistant

Applications will reopen August 15

The application window is August 15 - October 15 annually.
Please note: You must have a student ID and logged in to MyPortal to access the application.
Learn more about the application and selection process.

Why study Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) at CCC?

Occupational Therapy changes lives!

Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants work in collaboration to support patients and clients in their ability to engage in activities that matter and speak to the individuals’ unique self for improved health and wellness, living a self-directed life, and reaching one’s maximum potential. Occupational therapy practitioners are licensed health care professionals that facilitate participation in everyday living (AOTA, 2020) with the use of meaningful and therapeutic activities to help individuals to do the things that they need and want to do at all stages of their lifespan. Occupational Therapy is an evidence-based and science-driven profession focused on the implementation of best practices grounded in research.

An Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) is a practitioner that works to help individuals to 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.

Occupational Therapy Assistants implement treatment plans and design interventions to address patient and client goals. Interventions commonly used by an OTA include helping people recovering from illness or injury to regain function through retraining and/or adaptations, providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes, helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and home, as well as addressing psychosocial needs to foster hope, motivation, and empowerment.

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Courses

All core pre-requisite and general education coursework must be completed prior to beginning the OTA program. The OTA professional courses must be completed in the designated sequence and within 30 months of the initial program start. All OTA program courses must be completed with a grade of C or better following program grading guidelines.

List of Occupational Therapy Assistant Courses

Course Course Title Units
OTA 1 Structural Foundations and Theory of Occupational Therapy 3
OTA 2 Conceptual Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy 3
OTA 3 Management of Occupational Therapy Services 3
OTA 4 Contemporary Models and Emerging Practice in Occupational Therapy 1
OTA 5 Documenting the Occupational Therapy Process 1
OTA 6 Clinical Reasoning and Electronic Documentation in Occupational Therapy 1
OTA 10 Functional Biomechanics and Applied Kinesiology 3
OTA 11 Functional Biomechanics and Applied Kinesiology Lab 1
OTA 20 Theory and Process in Psychosocial Dysfunction 3
OTA 21 Theory and Process in Psychosocial Dysfunction Lab 0.5
OTA 22 Introduction to Clinical Practice in Psychosocial Dysfunction (Fieldwork Level I for OTA) 0.5
OTA 30 Theory and Process in Developmental Disabilities and Pediatric Conditions 3
OTA 32* Introduction to Clinical Practice in Developmental Disabilities and Pediatric Conditions (Fieldwork Level I for OTA) 1.5
OTA 40 Theory and Process in Physical Dysfunction 4.5
OTA 41 Theory and Process in Physical Dysfunction Lab 1.5
OTA 42 Introduction to Clinical Practice in Physical Dysfunction and Emerging Practice (Fieldwork Level I for OTA) 1
OTA 50** Fieldwork Level II for the OTA #1 6.5
OTA 51** Fieldwork Level II for the OTA #2 6.5

*Course includes Fieldwork Experience I
**Course includes Fieldwork Experience II

Note: All OTA core courses must be completed prior to going on to fieldwork level II. All required courses must be completed with a “C” grade or better per OTA Program grading guidelines.

List of Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree Programs

Program Type Major Code
Occupational Therapy Assistant AS C.4502.AS

Career Opportunities

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%

Accreditation Status: Accredited

ACOTE: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education

The Clovis Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Graduates of the program will be 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, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Students must complete 16 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 18 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program.

Contact Us

List of Occupational Therapy Assistant Contacts

Name Discipline E-mail
Brandon Huebert Counselor brandon.huebert@cloviscollege.edu
Helena Reed Occupational Therapy Assistant Instructor helena.reed@cloviscollege.edu
Erin Dolin Occupational Therapy Assistant | Program Director erin.dolin@cloviscollege.edu

Resources

ACOTE®

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®)

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) ensures quality occupational therapy education by developing accreditation standards and verifying implementation to support the preparation of competent occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

Serving the public interest by advancing client care and professional practice through evidence-based certification standards and the validation of knowledge essential for effective practice in occupational therapy.

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

California Board of Occupational Therapy

California Board of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants work with people experiencing different medical conditions or disabilities to develop, improve or restore functional daily living skills.

California Board of Occupational Therapy

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

Occupational therapy practitioners facilitate participation in everyday living. The American Occupational Therapy Association advances occupational therapy practice, education, and research through standard setting and advocacy.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC)

Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC)

OTAC is the collective voice that serves, promotes, and supports the profession of occupational therapy and its practitioners.

Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC)