Jeffrey Hopkins, Program Director
Allied Health 234
301-784-5536
https://allegany.edu/occupational-therapy-assistant/index.html
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) working under the supervision of a Licensed
Occupational Therapist, assists in evaluation and interventions for individuals whose
ability to handle daily living tasks is impaired by injury, disease, aging, or developmental
deficits.
Phase I
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is a 1+1 program. This means that students
are required to complete all General Education requirements (Phase I) before applying
to the clinical phase of the program (Phase II). A full-time student could potentially
complete all General Education requirements in one year; however, a part-time student
will require additional time. It is recommended that General Education requirements
be completed within five (5) years prior to application to the Clinical Phase, and
it is mandatory for the Biology requirements unless waived by the program director.
Phase II
Once admitted to the Clinical Phase (Phase II), students will complete all Occupational
Therapy Assistant courses at the Cumberland campus in four (4) consecutive terms;
summer, fall, spring, and summer. Many of the Phase II courses are offered in an A-Term/B-Term format.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is comprised of both classroom education
and clinical experience. A satisfactory health record must be on file prior to clinical
experience. CPR certification is a prerequisite to beginning the clinical phase of
the program. Certification and/or recertification is the responsibility of the student.
The college regularly offers such courses. In order to participate in clinical experiences,
students must obtain a Criminal Record Check. Many Occupational Therapy Assistant
program fieldwork sites require receipt of the results of a criminal background check
before accepting a student for fieldwork and may not accept a student with a criminal
record. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program contracts with an independent agency
to perform criminal background checks, and the cost of the service is included as
a course fee in the first semester of Phase II of the program. The results of the
criminal background check are reported to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program
director and will be shared only with the Clinical Coordinator within the Occupational
Therapy Assistant program. If a student has a significant criminal history, he or
she may not be able to complete fieldwork, and as fieldwork is an integral part of
the Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum, the student will also not be able to
complete the program. In addition, a significant criminal history may prevent the
student from becoming certified and licensed to practice occupational therapy. If
participating in a clinical experience at a Pennsylvania site, the student must also
obtain a Child Abuse History Clearance. During enrollment, any official change or
the initiation of any governmental proceeding affecting the information revealed by
the required criminal or child abuse background checks must be reported immediately
by the student to the director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Allegany College of Maryland has been
designated as a Health Manpower Shortage Program. The Maryland State Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene has determined certain health occupations in the state to
be in short supply. The Maryland Higher Education Commission has designated educational
programs that correspond to these health occupations to be eligible for the Health
Manpower Shortage Program. Maryland residents from counties other than Allegany County
who register in this eligible program will be charged the out-of-county tuition rate.
However, these students may be eligible to receive reimbursement for a portion of
the cost difference between the in county and out-of-county tuition rates. Funding
availability for this program is based on funding from the State of Maryland and is
thus subject to change each semester. Some restrictions apply. More information can
be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office.
This is a career program and is designed to enable students to seek employment at
the program's completion. Students planning to transfer should consult with their
advisor or the Advising Center regarding specific program course transfer issues.
Successful completion of this program qualifies a student to apply for an Associate
of Applied Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Phase II
Requirements for application to the Clinical Phase (Phase II):
- Successful completion of all General Education courses (Phase I) with a grade of “C” or better.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all Phase I courses.
- Completion of eight (8) documented volunteer observation hours with a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) or Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) at two different facilities. Four of the 8 hours must be in a hospital or long-term care setting, and the remaining four hours must be in an alternate setting (pediatrics, outpatient therapy clinic, home care, or mental health). The observation forms must be submitted directly to the OTA Department by the supervisor at the facility by the April 15 deadline. Forms must be submitted in a confidential manner or they will not be accepted.
- Review assigned videos and submit reflection summary assignments and submit by the April 15 deadline.
- Submission of program application by April 15 in order to be considered for admission in the summer session.
- Following completion of the above requirements you will be invited to participate in a professional interview with our program staff.
Admission to the clinical phase of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is limited to 16 students per year, and completion of the above requirements does not guarantee admission. Please contact the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program or the Admissions Office for more information on the application process.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT
TWO-YEAR CAREER PROGRAM
PREPARATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
1 Students may elect to take both Biological Science 207 and 208 in place of both Biological
Science 121 and 201. If the student’s long-term goal is to transfer to a four-year
college or university, then it is recommended that the student take Biological Science
207 and 208.
NOTE: All courses specifically identified by course number are graduation requirements for this program.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, www.acoteonline.org; 301-652-6611. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination and are subsequently eligible for state licensure. This examination is administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, www.nbcot.org; 301-990-7979.
