Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology (OTA)
Occupational therapy is concerned with selecting activities for patient/client treatment that promote and maintain health. Students in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology program at Cincinnati State learn to assist in the treatment of patients who have suffered from physical or psychological dysfunction. The program teaches concepts and practice techniques that enable students to interact with patients of all ages using treatment activities that relate to self care, work, and play/leisure.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Work as an entry-level occupational therapy assistant
- Function in a professional and ethical manner as defined by the AOTA
- Contribute to the occupational therapy process in collaboration with an occupational therapist
- Implement occupation-based interventions utilizing a client-centered approach
Credentialing
Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and are 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 certified as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Cincinnati State students have excellent pass rates on this certification exam. Many states, including Ohio, now require formal background checks for licensed occupational therapy assistants.
NBCOT pass rates for the past three years:
| Year | Number of program graduates | Number of first-time test takers | Number of first-time test takers who passed the exam | Percentage of first-time test takers who passed the exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 25 | 15 | 13 | 87% |
| 2010 | 18 | 23 | 19 | 83% |
| 2011 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 80% |
| TOTAL | 68 | 63 | 52 | 83% |
Articulation Agreements/ Strong Transfer History
University of Findlay
Xavier University
Representative Clinical Sites
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Drake Center
Good Samaritan Hospital
Jewish Hospital
Mercy Health Partners of Southwest Ohio
(Mt. Airy, Western Hills, Fairfield, Clermont)
University Hospital
Employment Outlook
Graduates of the program are hired by graduation or shortly thereafter.
Graduate Starting Salary Projections
$35,000–$40,000 annually
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824, (301) 652-2682.
