SFCC Occupational Therapist Program

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Occupational Therapy

Please refer to the Fall 2013 OTA information and application booklets for important information.

What is Occupational Therapy?

In the simplest terms, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational therapy services typically include:

An individualized evaluation, during which the client/family and occupational therapist determine the person's goals
Customized intervention to improve the person's ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals
An outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan

Occupational therapy services may include comprehensive evaluations of the client's home and other environments (e.g., workplace, school), recommendations for adaptive equipment and training in its use, and guidance and education for family members and caregivers. Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team. (From AOTA Website, April 2011)

Career Opportunities

Nationally, job placement of occupational therapy assistant (OTA) graduates is excellent. The occupational therapy assistant profession is rated by the US Department of Labor® Bureau of Labor Statistics as one of the fastest growing professions through 2014. Starting salaries vary in range, but start at approximately $18 per hour. Licensure is required in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. OTA's work under the supervision of occupational therapists.

To Apply

SFCC's OTA program incorporates a selective process for admission. This process uses a point system based on coursework and experience as outlined in the application. Please be aware that the completion of all prerequisites does not ensure admission to the program.

Admission Requirements

Completion of the online Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application Booklet. Applications are accepted during the winter quarter preceding fall quarter entry into the program. See the booklet for specific due dates. Entry into the program is only one time a year, fall quarter.
Appropriate placement scores in assessment tests for ENGL& 101 and Math.
Preferably a minimum of 2.0 in BIOL& 241.
Documentation of paid or volunteer experience in a medical setting (40 hour minimum volunteer hours under supervision of OT or OTA, students graded to 100 hours).
Completion of 3 essay questions related to occupational therapy.
Professional Reference (mailed separately to Dean's office).
If application is complete, student will be required to participate in a group interview/activity session prior to selection.
Upon acceptance, current immunizations and passing of physical examination, drug screening and Washington State Patrol criminal background check.

Accreditation

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program at Spokane Falls Community College is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Accreditation will remain in place for 7 years, the program will undergo reaccreditation in 2020.

Address:		ACOTE c/o Accreditation Department American Occupational Therapy Association 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814-3449
Phone:		(301) 652-2682

During the accreditation on-site visit of Feb 2013, NO areas of deficiency were noted; compliance was awarded to all standards. Strengths of the program as noted by ACOTE include SFCC Administration support, highly experienced and dedicated Program Director and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, a very involved Advisory Board, availability of ancillary services on campus available to our students, and a highly capable and professional OTA student body.

Further questions about accreditation can be addressed directly with ACOTE at the address or phone number listed above, or with the Program Director of the OTA Program at SFCC at (509) 279-6083.

Licensure

Upon approval from the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), OTA graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam.
After successful completion of the examination, the graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and eligible to apply for licensure in the states of Washington or Idaho. Washington and Idaho require licensure in order to practice.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

SFCC offers a two-year program which includes study in anatomy and physiology, social science, occupation-based therapy courses and practical clinical experience in area health care facilities affiliated with the college. The technical courses for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program are not designed to transfer to four-year schools.

Occupational therapy assistant duties include: a) designing therapeutic activity based treatments that are within the plan of care proposed by the occupational therapist b) evaluating and training patients to use adaptive equipment that will make life easier; c) assisting the occupational therapist with data collection for evaluation purposes; and d) keeping records and reporting to the occupational therapist on the patient's progress.

Occupational therapist assistants work with all ages and are employed in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pediatric facilities or school systems, private occupational therapy clinics, mental health hospitals or clinics, home health care agencies, and extended care facilities.

At the successful completion of the program, the student is awarded an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

View Occupational Therapy Career Guide

Courses

Class		Credits
OTA 101	Foundation of Occupational Therapy	3.0
OTA 102	Occupational Therapy Terminology	1.0
OTA 103	Applied Anatomy	1.0
OTA 104	Survey of Pathophysiology	5.0
OTA 105	Introduction to Neuroscience	4.0
OTA 106	Regional Human Anatomy and Physiology	5.0
OTA 107	Human Development Through the Lifespan	2.0
OTA 110	OTA Procedures	1.0
OTA 111	Activity Analysis	3.0
OTA 112	Occupational Performance and Physical Disabilities	3.0
OTA 113	Occupational Therapy Principles	3.0
OTA 114	Therapeutic Activities	3.0
OTA 120	OTA Procedures Lab	2.0
OTA 122	Occupational Performance and Physical Disabilities Lab	2.0
OTA 123	Applied Anatomy Lab	2.0
OTA 124	Therapeutic Activities Lab	2.0
OTA 127	Human Development Through the Lifespan Lab	1.0
OTA 151	Level I Clinical Fieldwork I	1.0
OTA 161	Level I Clinical Fieldwork I Seminar	1.0
OTA 201	Issues in Occupational Therapy and Health Care	2.0
OTA 202	Group Dynamics	2.0
OTA 203	Management for the Occupational Therapist	2.0
OTA 210	Occupational Performance and Mental Health	3.0
OTA 212	Occupational Performance and Children	3.0
OTA 220	Occupational Performance and Mental Health Lab	2.0
OTA 221	Occupational Performance and Aging	3.0
OTA 231	Occupational Performance and Aging Lab	2.0
OTA 232	Group Dynamics Lab	1.0
OTA 242	Occupational Performance and Children Lab	2.0
OTA 251	Level I Clinical Fieldwork II	1.0
OTA 252	Level I Clinical Fieldwork III	1.0
OTA 253	Level II Clinical Fieldwork I	1.0-10.0
OTA 254	Level II Clinical Fieldwork II	10.0
OTA 261	Level I Clinical Fieldwork II Seminar	1.0
OTA 263	Fieldwork II Seminar	1.0-4.0

Anderson, Sunny; Instructor
	Office: 27-358 Phone: (509) 279-6094 Email: Sunny.Anderson@spokanefalls.edu
COTA/L, BSHS Old Dominion University Graduating in 1970 from an Occupational Therapy Assistant program, I did not envision where Occupational Therapy would take me. I have 40 years experience working in school-based rehabilitation settings, long term care facilities, and home health. I have been exposed to various cultures and learned so much from the clients I have worked with. Having seen the benefits and progress the Occupational Therapy field has made, I am grateful to have the opportunity to teach the next generation of Occupational Therapy Assistants. Outside of the classroom I find myself busy working alongside my husband with church activities and loving our 5 grandchildren.
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Blevins, Gary; Instructor
	Office: 28-209 Phone: (509) 533-3661 Email: Gary.Blevins@spokanefalls.edu
Gary Blevins teaches Clinical Regional Anatomy for the PTA and OTA programs.He is also the lead instructor of Anatomy and Physiology within the Life Sciences Department here at SFCC. Mr. Blevins started his college teaching career at Hutchinson community College in Kansas where he taught Biology, Ecology, and Anatomy and Physiology. During his time in Kansas Mr. Blevins also taught as an adjunct instructor at Wichita State University teaching Anatomy and Physiology and Comparative Anatomy. He finds the greatest reward from teaching is the success that many former students have had in their careers after taking A&P classes. Gary's passion in biology outside of A&P has been birds. He's been active in the Audubon Society at the national, state and local levels as well as conducting bird banding research to exploring bird migration and population trends. Gary also enjoys many outdoor activities such as kayaking, camping, hiking, and skiing.
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Burt, Tamara; Instructor
	Office: 27-350 Phone: (509) 279-6083 Email: Tamara.Burt@spokanefalls.edu
OTR/L, MEd, Program Director Occupational Therapy Assistant Program I teach Foundations of Occupational Therapy, OT Procedures, Applied Anatomy, Activity Analysis and Occupational Performance and Physical Disabilities. I have 27 years experience as an occupational therapist in the Spokane area working in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities. I teach because I love the field of occupational therapy and the impact I can have on people's lives – and I want to pass that on! I love to quilt, scrapbook, bike and travel, when I am not busy transporting ‘tweens’!
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Gauper, Carol; Instructor
	Office: 27-350 Phone: (509) 279-6077 Email: Carol.Gauper@spokanefalls.edu
OTR/L Graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Occupational Therapy and minor in gerontology from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I came to Spokane as an occupational therapy student in 1979 and I have worked here as an OT ever since! I've worked with adults most of my career in a variety of settings - acute care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, assisted living, home care, etc. I am an adjunct faculty in the OTA program working on the fieldwork program. We have a terrific community of occupational therapists here in Spokane, which makes this work a pleasure!
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McPhee, Dana; Instructor
	Office: 27-358 Phone: (509) 279-6094 Email: Dana.McPhee@spokanefalls.edu
Dana McPhee PT, MS, NCS, Adjunct Instructor MS in Physical Therapy, Pacific University BS in Biology, Gonzaga University Dana McPhee has been a physical therapist since 1993. She became a Neurologic Certified Specialist in 2004. She has practiced in rehabilitation, inpatient acute care and long term acute care. Her specialty is in Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke. Ms. McPhee is also an adjunct professor at Eastern Washington University in the Physical Therapy Program and at SFCC in the Physical Therapy Assistant Program. She has given one and two day courses on Brain Injury in the community and tri-state area. Dana enjoys running, cycling, kayaking and reading. She enjoys running, cycling, kayaking and reading.
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Odren, Donelle; Instructor
	Office: 27-347 Phone: (509) 279-6249 Email: Donelle.Odren@spokanefalls.edu
Donelle Odren PT,DPT; ACCE/Instructor BA Education, Whitworth; BS Physical Therapy, Eastern Washington University, DPT, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Donelle Odren is the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education. She is primarily responsible for the student's clinical affiliations and internships. Her classes include Introduction to Orthopedics and all clinical coursework. She also teaches Medical Terminology, Introduction to Neuroscience and Issues in Therapy for the OTA and PTA programs. Her passion for teaching comes from the student's excitement and a love for the profession. Faculty are constantly challenged with ever changing careers and Dr. Odren considers it a joy to have an impact on the newest members of the profession. She completed a transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2008 and chose to enter academia. Donelle's professional expertise is orthopedics and geriatrics, in her free time enjoys travel, reading, music and exercise.
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Resources

American Occupational Therapy Association

Washington State Occupational Therapy Association

Explore Health Careers

OTA Fieldwork Educators

Who can be a OTA fieldwork educator? An OT practitioner (OT or OTA) with a minimum of one year experience and who meets the following criteria:

Fieldwork is a collaborative effort between students, clinicians and educators. Ideas for placement may originate with an academic program or with a practitioner. The following criteria may help indicate whether your practice would be appropriate as a fieldwork placement.

Your practice provides opportunities for a student to:

learn OT skills & concepts, either general or specialized
apply OT skills & concepts, learned in the academic setting
experience success as a result of their OT intervention
communicate with other individuals in a professional manner

You are interested in supervising students
You are willing to collaborate with an academic fieldwork coordinator to plan and implement a student placement

From: AOTA, (2007). Recommendations for expanding fieldwork. www.aota.org. Retrieved April 11, 2012.

What are the guidelines for supervising an OTA student in a level II Fieldwork setting?

Practice advisory: Services Provided by Students in Fieldwork Level II Settings ( from AOTA )

What is the difference between level I and Level II fieldwork requirements?

Level I and level II fieldwork

What courses has the OTA student taken prior to their level I or level II fieldwork?

Course timeline

What can help me create site- specific learning objectives for my level II FW OTA student?

Objectives provide helpful structure to the level II fieldwork experience and can be site specific per FW evaluation items and/or week by week objectives. ( Objectives are required by ACOTE)

Please email Carol.gauper@spokanefalls.edu" for a document created by the Florida OT Education Council which has checkboxes under each item of the OTA FW evaluation, allowing you to individualize each item to your site! Ask for the “FLOTEC” form

Where can I learn more about being a fieldwork educator?

www.aota.org ( Educator-Researchers tab: fieldwork)
The following articles are available on a limited basis to OT practitioners who are ,or are considering being, SFCC OTA Fieldwork Educators. Email Carol.gauper@spokanefalls.edu for a copy of:

“Becoming a Fieldwork Educator: enhancing your teaching skills” AOTA CE article from October 2009, OT Practice, 14 (19).
“Transformative learning: facilitating growth and change through fieldwork” AOTA CE article from October 2010, OT Practice, 15(19).
“Designing learning experiences that lead to critical thinking and enhanced clinical reasoning” AOTA CE article from August 2008, OT Practice, 13 (15).

Books

The Essential Guide to Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Education: resources for today’s educators and practitioners by Donna M. Costa, MS, OTR/L. Bethesda: AOTA press.(2004).
Supervision in Occupational Therapy by Donna M. Costa. Bethesda: AOTA press, (2007

OT/OTA Student Supervision & Medicare Requirements

A document available to all AOTA members on the educators: fieldwork site. ( If you are not a member of AOTA, but are a fieldwork educator for SFCC, or are considering being a fieldwork educator for SFCC OTA program, please email carol.gauper@spokanefalls.edu for a single copy of “OT/OTA Student Supervision & Medicare Requirements”.)

Roles, responsibilities and supervision guidelines of OTA

The roles and responsibilities and supervision guidelines for an OTA are based on national, state guidelines and laws as well as facility policy.

What is the difference between the roles/responsibilities of an OT and OTA according to National ( AOTA) Standards?

Here is a table with summaries of the differences between an OT and OTA

How much supervision is required for an OTA – per state requirements?

Questions/comments/suggestions/curiosity? Please email Carol.gauper@spokanefalls.edu

Contact Us

For further information on the program, or to request a paper copy of the application, please contact:

Tamara Burt, OTR/L, MEd- Program Director
Phone:	(509) 279-6083
Email:	Tamarab@spokanefalls.edu
Fax:	(509) 279-6095
Or
Allied Health Sciences Department Secretary
Phone:	(509) 279-6073

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