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WHAT DOES AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT DO?

If you would like to know HOW an Occupational Therapy practitioner/ Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) applies their knowledge and skills in real-life doing everyday occupations, watch these videos and read the AOTA vision 2025 statement.

"Occupational Therapy maximizes health, well-being, and quality of life for all people, populations, and communities through effective solutions that facilitate participation in everyday living (AOTA, Vision 2025)."

Take a Peek Inside

Interested in EVCC OTA?

Click here to apply to EVCC OTA

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FAQ’S

  • OT is a health profession that finds solutions, empowers, and enables individuals, groups, and populations to engage in everyday activities, called “occupations” despite barriers associated with disability, injury, illness, or developmental conditions.
  • Occupational therapy practitioners (OT & OTA) focus on what persons, groups, and populations need to do, want to do, and when their clients want to engage in meaningful everyday activities.
  • OT practitioners are uniquely prepared to address individual needs through a holistic lens that considers physical, cognitive, social, and emotional health.
  • OT practitioners work in schools, community programs, acute and rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practice, assistive technology, and many more....

  • The OTA program at EVCC is a 12-month program with a distance education component that includes Level I and Level II fieldwork
  • The EVCC OTA program admits 2 cohorts a year: (24 students per cohort)
    1. Summer/ Fall
    2. Winter/Spring

Yes, the EVCC Occupational Therapy Assistant (Degree) Associate of Applied Science program has been granted Continuing Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.

ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org.

The next on-site visit will be scheduled within the academic year 2029/2030.

Tuition $28,670
Books $1,100
Student Fees $830
Application $100
Testing/Technology/Facilities Fee $100
Total Program Cost
(After prerequisites are completed) 		$30,800

EVCC OTA PROGRAM ADMITS 2 COHORTS A YEAR IN THE SUMMER/ FALL AND Winter/Spring (24 STUDENTS EACH COHORT)

Distance education is a hybrid program that occurs 50-74% online through the learning management system called Moodle

  • 8 months of Lecture (synchronous & asynchronous) & LAB (includes Level I fieldwork)
    • Synchronous learning uses Zoom for mandatory evening lectures (weekly). Students meet via Zoom for interactive lectures 2-3 times a week for 1-2 hours per course.
    • Asynchronous learning uses online resources to complete weekly assignments in each course.
    • Skills LABs meets face-to-face 3x per semester (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) on the EVCC campus for hands-on OT skills training. Each LAB is 8 hours per day.
    • Level I fieldwork is your community at clinical sites (24-32 hours each semester) and/or simulated environments.
  • 4 months of Level II fieldwork (16 weeks full-time in clinical and or community settings after completion of OTA core course work)

  • No, there is no entrance examination, BUT
  • Prospective students complete an OTA Mini Course in Bb before interviewing for admission into the OTA program
  • Engagement in the OTA Mini Course begins once the prospective student completes the EVCC OTA application
  • Contact AJohnson@evcc.edu to begin your journey into OT.

  • 76 credits (56 OTA credits, 20 general education credits)
  • General education credits (prerequisites) are completed prior to enrollment in core OTA courses

Yes, please send your official transcripts to info@evcc.edu for a transfer of credit evaluation.

Yes, credits will be considered for transfer if they were completed within the last year and are deemed equivalent to EVCC OTA courses/requirements. However, to graduate from the EVCC OTA program, you must have completed at least 75% of course requirements at EVCC.

Yes, the first step is to complete your 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 FAFSA applications.

The EVCC OTA program with a distance education component is a full-time 12- month commitment to complete and pass core OTA courses, Level I fieldwork, and Level II fieldwork. Following graduation from EVCC OTA, you are eligible to sit for the National Board Certification Examination for the OTA (NBCOT). To practice OT as an OTA you must receive a PASS score on the NBCOT exam and apply to your preferred state to receive a license/ COTA.

The time commitment for the OTA program with a distance education component is as follows:

Lectures are fully online for a time commitment of 3.75-7.5 hours a week/ per course which generally includes the following requirements:

  • Engage in resources and reading
  • Attend mandatory online lecture- 1x per week per course, 2 hours each course in the evening
  • Complete and upload online assignments according to DUE dates

The OT skill LABs are on campus and online for a time commitment of 90 hours per LAB course over 8 weeks.

Online LAB meets each semester on Wednesday & Thursday from 7-9 pm

Skills LABs is 3 meetings on EVCC campus and 5 meetings online each semester:

  • Semester 1A: 9 days on campus (3 days/ Week 2, 5, 8 over 8 weeks- Thursday, Friday, Saturday), 5 x online LAB Wednesday (7-9 pm)
  • Semester 1B: 9 days on campus (2 days Week 2, 5, 8 over 8 weeks-Friday and Saturday), 5 x online Wednesday (7-9 pm)
  • Semester 2A: 9 days on campus (3 days/ Week 2, 5, 8 over 8 weeks – Thursday, Friday and Saturday), 5 x online Wednesday (7-9 pm)
  • Semester 2B: 9 days on campus (3 days Week 2, 5, 8 over 8 weeks – Friday and Saturday, 5 x online Wednesday (7-9 pm)

If enrolled in the distance education OTA program:

  • Yes, you may continue to work during the program, however, work/job should not interfere with online demands (lectures and assignments) and LABS (on campus & online)
  • No, you will not be able to work during Level II fieldwork. Level II fieldwork is full-time (40 hours a week) over a 16-week period.
  • Contact the OTA Administrative Assistant if you have any questions / bthompson@evcc.edu

There are 3 semesters in the OTA program. Each semester is 16 weeks that are broken into A & B sections.

Each section is 8 weeks in duration and focuses on specific AOTA practice areas. There are six 8-week sections:

  • Semester 1A focus is the AOTA practice area of Mental Health
  • Semester 1B focus is the AOTA practice area of Adult Rehabilitation/Orthopedics
  • Semester 2A focus is the AOTA practice areas of Adult Rehabilitation/Neurology and Geriatrics
  • Semester 2B focus is the AOTA practice area of Children & Youth
  • Semester 3A focus is Level II fieldwork A
  • Semester 3B focus is Level II fieldwork B

After each 8 weeks, OTA students are given a 1-week break to prepare for the next 8-week section.

OTA Students engage in knowledge and OT skills training over a 12-month period.

  • 8 months (32 weeks) are dedicated to OTA lectures (traditional or distance education), face- to- face skill LABS, and Level I fieldwork
  • 4 months (16 weeks) are dedicated to full-time Level II fieldwork (two 8- week clinical rotations) in your community or even other regions/states

OT skills LABs occur on the EVCC campus in the OT LAB & virtually online via TEAMS

  • Face to face skills LAB on campus is 3 x each semester (Thursday, Friday & Saturday)
  • Face to face skills LAB when not on EVCC campus are Saturdays from 9 am until 12 noon, 5 x per semester

You will receive an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant.

You would apply for a license to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) after you:

  • Complete and PASS all EVCC OTA coursework [including Level I & II fieldwork)
  • Meet EVCC graduation requirements
  • Submit EVCC OTA transcript to apply and take NBCOT exam
  • PASS the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam

After you PASS the NBCOT exam, you will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), but you will still need a license to practice as an OT practitioner in your state. *All 50 states require a license to practice as a COTA.

Many states participate in the OT Compact license: https://otcompact.org/wp- content/uploads/2020/10/Final_OT-Compact-FAQ.pdf

To be employed as a COTA, you must apply and pay for a license in the state in which you want to practice occupational therapy.

  • In Virginia you would apply for a license through the Virginia Board of Medicine

According to online research, the average yearly OTA salary is currently $54,000-$69,000.00.

Each student will need a personal Laptop computer/notebook with the following operating system requirements:

  • PC: Windows 10 operating system or higher
  • Mac: OS X or higher

Specifications for All laptop/notebook computers should be less than 5 years old:

  • Must be Wi-Fi enabled
  • Must have a color monitor/display
  • Must have a webcam
  • Must have a sound card with speakers or headphones
  • Must have 1 GB of free disk space
  • Must have secure broadband Internet connection (DSL or cable recommended)
  • Must have the latest version of a web browser, such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari
  • Must have latest version of the browser installed.
  • Must have cookies enabled
  • Must have JavaScript enabled
  • Must have pop-up blocker turned off

Software and Peripherals Recommendations - Web browsers:

Additional Recommendations:

  • 2-button mouse
  • Printer

ACCREDITATION STATUS

This Occupational Therapy Assistant (Degree) Associate of Applied Science program has been granted Continuing Accreditation 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/AOTA is (301) 652-6611 and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. The next onsite visit will be scheduled within the academic year2029/2030.

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 successfully completing this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require Licensure to practice. State licenses are 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. For further clarification, contact NBCOT at 301-990-7979.

Year Entered Students admitted Students Graduated Graduation Rates
2022 13  13  100%
2023 11  10  90%
2024 7 Not yet graduated ---
3-Year Running Total 31  23  95%

SUCCESS BY THE NUMBERS

NBCOT Pass Rate

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

Information regarding the EVCC OTA program graduation pass rates on the national certification examination can be found on the following website:
https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance

DISTANCE EDUCATION

The OTA program at EVCC prepares the student to enter the workforce as an entry-level Occupational Therapy Assistant working under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist. This 14-month program, inclusive of Level I and Level II fieldwork, begins after the student has satisfied the program’s general education requirements. The Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum is occupation and evidence-based to ensure the student has the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to meet the occupational needs and challenges of individuals, groups, and populations, as well as contribute to the Occupational Therapy process and emerge as a life-long learner.

This 14-month program is offered 2 x a year (summer/ fall and winter/ spring) as an OTA program with distance education component

8 Characteristics of an Online Learner

  • The OTA program requires and relies on strong internet connection for effective communication, consistent attendance in Zoom meetings (Lecture and Lab), and timely submission of assignments.
  • EVCC OTA program is 50- 74% online and 50% face-to-face.

It is expected that you will attend all lectures and labs using online resources.

  • Keeping track of what you need to do and when it needs to be done can be a daunting task.
  • Changing or beginning a career is a stressor; but knowing that occupational therapy is the career for you may be the motivation you need to complete this OTA program.
  • The company called FAST COMPANY (world leading business brand) suggests you look at time management as “anti-time management”....controlling your time instead of time controlling you.
  • See this article: https://www.fastcompany.com/90793899/how-and-why-you-should-practice-anti-time-management

Life balance is an important educational concept – but more importantly an occupational therapy lifestyle

  • Each faculty member teaching in the OTA program has a memory about “ that moment ” they decided to become an OT practitioner. We have found joy in our respective areas of practice within the field of OT!
  • As a student, it is important that you take time to reflect on the person or the practice area that sparked your interest in occupational therapy.
  • We all value OT because of the joy that comes with empowering individuals, groups, and populations to live their lives despite trauma, disability, developmental challenge, or diagnosis.

We are not a HELPING profession, but we are an EMPOWERING profession like no other!

  • Some of us are introverts, some of us are extroverts...and most of us are a combination of both. We engage in everyday life experiences in different ways depending on our personalities and life experiences.
  • EVCC OTA believes we can all learn from each other – and this learning process is a way of indirectly SHARING.
  • We show up and share ourselves through participation.
  • OT practitioners, in general, are like healthcare detectives who can identify problems and find solutions to everyday challenges.
  • To “DO OT,” you must learn about your clients and be the detective whether you are an introvert or an extrovert.

EVCC motto is “no questions are stupid.” We teach because we love to teach and share ourselves – and our experiences – with you.

  • Others learn because of your questions and answers!

OT is all about learning what (and when) your client needs and wants to do in their everyday lives.

You cannot provide occupational therapy services without knowing your client.

  • Digital etiquette provides the steps to follow, otherwise known as the rules of behavior, when using technology and interacting with others.
  • We always practice digital etiquette when communicating with each other, faculty, and FW supervisors.

  • Healthcare is all about proving your interventions will improve a client’s abilities and personal goals. This is called evidence-based practice.
  • At EVCC OTA, you will become an evidence-based, occupation-based practitioner.
  • During each OTA course, you will improve your ability to research and provide proper citations using APA format when completing papers, projects, and responses in discussion forums.
  • The OTA program expects you to be familiar with APA format.

  • The OTA program believes everyone has the potential to learn from each other’s knowledge and experience.
  • EVCC OTA only admits up to 24 students per cohort to ensure we become an OT community.
  • Faculty to student ratio is 1:15 during face-to-face lab experiences.
  • Discussion forums in professional development courses provide you with a platform to share yourself and see your growth as an OT practitioner.

Acknowledging your strengths and planning for your “not so strong” areas is key to keeping on top of your weekly assignments.

  • EVCC OTA program provides you with online and face-to-face experiences that enhance your learning.
  • We respect everyone’s learning needs and use various teaching/learning methods in lectures and labs.
  • Distance education is conducted synchronously (all together, at the same time) and asynchronously (independent learning at your own pace)).
  • Attendance is mandatory in all lectures and labs in order to graduate from the EVCC OTA program.

GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT RATES

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

EVCC OTA 16 STUDENT OT ASSOCIATION (SOTA)

  • Kalea Lacks – President
  • Lauren Ellis – VOTA representative
  • Anastasia Askins – Liaison to the faculty
  • Karmalese James - Treasurer

EVCC OTA 15 STUDENT OT ASSOCIATION (SOTA)

  • Aariahn Pringle – President
  • Mark Bowen – Vice President
  • Melissa Clark – Secretary
  • Sunday Edose - Treasurer
Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree Program Fredericksburg

ALUMNI INVOLVED IN THE OTA COMMUNITY

EVCC OTA students support AOTA

Our students take their careers seriously! One way they show their support is Virtual Hill Day, a day when OT practitioners (OT/ OTA) across the country storm Capitol Hill (and the web #othillday) to advocate for the profession and laws that affect it. In early October each year, students/faculty/graduates flood their senator's and congressman's offices with coordinated, specific advocacy messages and thanks for inclusion/continued support. It is a fun way to stay connected with colleagues and truly make a difference in promoting Occupational Therapy.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in Fredericksburg

OTA STUDENTS INVOLVED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Students in EVCC's OTA program pack snack bags for Spotsylvania elementary schools to honor the congressional day of service / Martin Luther King Day and support Salem Fields elementary school students' transition "back to school" with school supplies each fall.

These activities and others like supporting the local food bank for OT month are part of the EVCC OTA curriculum. EVCC's students learn that "service to others" is a lifelong skill.

AOTA Backpack Awareness Day is in September … World OT day is in October!

OT ADVICE THAT HELPS EVERYONE

Wherever your office setting may be, here are some helpful tips on setting up your workspace to be as ergonomically comfortable as possible; Skills you can use every day…from the American Occupational Therapy Association:  Ergonomic Tips.pdf

Success Stories

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