Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

COVID-19 Advisory (relative CR/NC Policy)

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be accepting CR grades from the spring 2020 semester to fulfill prerequisite courses, however, letter grades are preferred.  Supplemental information may be required if you choose to submit a CR grade. If you have any questions, please contact Health Sciences/Emergency Medical Services counselors at (808) 734-9224 or hlthsci@hawaii.edu

The mission of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Kapi‘olani Community College is in accordance with that of the University of Hawai‘i Community College System and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Our mission is to:

• Provide open access to high-quality, 21st-century Occupational Therapy Assistant Program for qualified students from diverse cultures.
• Support the Occupational Therapy Program faculty’s commitment to being effective, ethical and caring educators and further develop their professional expertise.
• Specialize in the best practice application of Occupational Therapy professional knowledge and skills to prepare the student to qualify for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam.
• Offer a program of study that prepares the student for ethical practice and rigorous employment standards to meet workforce demand in the field of Occupational Therapy.
• Develop partnerships with agencies, businesses, and associations in the healthcare industry to facilitate clinical training, lifelong learning, and social responsibility of faculty and students.
• Participate in the ongoing assessment of program outcomes, faculty effectiveness, student satisfaction, and industry feedback to initiate improvement and strive for our goal of excellence in Occupational Therapy education.

Upon successful completion of the Associate in Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, the student should be able to:

• Assimilate and relate the foundational content, basic tenets and theoretical perspective of Occupational Therapy and apply the relevant knowledge to function competently in the profession.
• Assist with theoretically-based screening and evaluation under the supervision of and in cooperation with the occupational therapist.
• Provide culturally relevant and occupation-based intervention and implementation to facilitate occupational performance and participation.
• Communicate clearly and effectively the distinct value of occupational therapy with clients, families, significant others, colleagues, service providers, and the public.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the service delivery and assist with the management of occupational therapy services in order to function competently in the profession.
• Be a lifelong learner, keep current with evidence-based practice, and uphold safety, ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession.

The total number of graduates from Kapi‘olani Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the 4-year period of 2020-2023 was 30, with an overall graduation rate of 64%. Note: Graduation delays were experienced in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Graduates of the OTA program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant, administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the exam, the graduate will be a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). During the 2014 legislative session, SB 2472 was passed and sign which gives licensure to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Hawai‘i; the effective date of licensure for OTAs is January 1, 2017. Most states require licensure to practice; state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (2017) study supports increasing demand for OTAs:

Employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations…

Demand for occupational therapy is likely to grow over the coming decade in response to the health needs of the aging baby-boom generation and a growing elderly population. Older adults are more prone than younger people to conditions and ailments such as arthritis and stroke. These conditions can affect one’s ability to perform a variety of everyday activities. Occupational therapy assistants and aides will be needed to help occupational therapists in caring for these patients. Occupational therapy will also continue to be used to treat children and young adults with developmental disabilities, such as autism.

Healthcare providers, especially those specializing in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and home healthcare services, will continue to employ assistants to reduce the cost of occupational therapy services. After the therapist has evaluated a patient and designed a treatment plan, the occupational therapy assistant can provide many aspects of the treatment that the therapist prescribed (Job Outlook section).

There were approximately 39,300 occupational therapy assistant job in 2016. There is a trend to increase occupational therapy assistant employment in outpatient clinics (42%) and nursing care facilitates (19%). Other employers include the hospitals, home healthcare services, and elementary and secondary schools (U.S. Department of Labor, 2017, Work Environment section).

Occupational therapy assistants are also employed in many different traditional and emerging areas of practice including Activity Coordinators, Skills Trainers, Travel Trainers, Mobility Coordinators, and Assistive Technology Specialists.

Reference:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Therapy Assistants, and Aides.