Program Overview
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program offers an Associate in Science degree that equips students with the skills needed to assist occupational therapists in providing therapeutic interventions. The curriculum integrates classroom instruction, hands-on lab practice, and clinical experiences to ensure students are prepared for the workforce. Students will gain a deep understanding of anatomy, therapeutic techniques, and client care. After completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
Start your rewarding career in occupational therapy by enrolling in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at NSCC today.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Accelerated Option
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Accelerated Option is a full-time day program designed to enable completion of the OTA curriculum within a 3-semester time frame [September through the following October]. The general education courses required within the traditional OTA Program are pre-admission requirements for the accelerated option of study.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Accelerated Option >
Program Highlights
- Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
- Comprehensive curriculum with a strong emphasis on hands-on clinical experience.
- Focus on developing skills in therapeutic interventions, patient assessments, and client-centered care.
- Graduates are eligible for national certification and state licensure.
- Opportunities for specialized internships and clinical placements at local healthcare facilities.
- Small class sizes for personalized attention and learning.
Program Details
Expand AllCollapse AllView and print the required courses for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Acquire the theoretical knowledge and application skills needed for competent entry level practice as an occupational therapy assistant within the roles of direct service provider, advocate, and educator.
- Demonstrate commitment to the occupational therapy profession’s core values and ethical standards.
- Engage in continued professional development for best practice in the field of occupational therapy.
- Acquire the minimum requirements necessary to qualify for the national certification examination and licensure to practice as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA).
Occupational Skills required
- Medium work strength to lift, carry and maneuver heavy equipment, to partially or fully support weight of client during transfers to and from various surfaces (bed, chair, wheelchair, mat, toilet, tub, car, etc) and when engaging client in functional ambulation
- Bend and stoop to adjust body parts, clothing and/or equipment when engaging clients in functional daily life activities in all areas of occupation (ADL, IADL, Work, Education, Play/Leisure and Social Participation) and for developmental activities
- Kneel to assist clients who may fall or faint; to perform CPR; to assist clients with mat activities, developmental activities and functional daily life activities in all areas of occupation (ADL, IADL, Work, Education, Play/Leisure and Social Participation)
- Crouch to manage wheelchair parts and hospital beds, equipment adjustment, storing materials; to assist with lower body ADL training; to assist client in seated activities from bed, chair, wheelchair and/or mat
- Crawl for developmental interventions and to engage in mat activities
- Reach for retrieval of items in closets/cabinets, to adjust equipment and to guard client
- Ability to maintain a sustained grasp and handle/manipulate body parts during intervention; grasp and manipulate tools/equipment and modalities used in OT service delivery, including but not limited to pens/pencils, craft supplies, educational supplies, personal care items, positioning devices, functional mobility equipment physical agent modalities, blood pressure cuffs, protective gloves, gowns and masks, computers and assistive technology, adaptive equipment, suspension equipment, etc
- Dexterity to use fine motor skills while performing standardized tests (dynamometer, goniometer, etc); constructing orthotic devices/splints; writing/documenting; adjusting knobs, dials, blood pressure cuffs; donning and doffing protective gloves, masks and gowns
- Stand for extended periods of time and for majority of working shift
- Walk within facility environment (internal) for assigned shift; with facility environment (external grounds, even and uneven surfaces) for functional mobility training
- Push and pull wheelchairs, hospital beds, scooters, Hoyer lifts and other equipment including but not limited to IV poles, oxygen tanks and portable devices
- Balance to assist clients with functional activities, including mobility (even and uneven surfaces)
- Endurance to manage full-time equivalent Level 2 fieldwork experiences and assigned work shifts
- Feel to palpate muscle contractions, circulatory pulses, bony landmarks and identify joint articulation; exert the necessary pressure to form splints; to discern skin texture and temperature to discriminate hot and cold modalities
- Hear verbal directions and requests from health care team and clients/families; heart sounds through a stethoscope, breath sounds, client distress sounds and calls for assistance up to 10 feet away; environmental safety alarms; hear for effective communication between clients, families and co-workers
- See in detail to observe and detect client's movements, facial expressions, changes in skin integrity, sweating, skin color, swelling, muscle atrophy, and gestures of nonverbal communication and performance during individual and group intervention; to observe and attend to the behaviors and needs of up to 10 individuals in a group session; from a distance to observe client behaviors and performance; to detect safety hazards in the environment (water on floor, cords, and other small items) that could pose danger to a client’s mobility/functional performance; in detail to detect/assess BP (manometer dial) and ROM (goniometer)
- Read numbers, letters, printed, typed and cursive writing in fine print, paper and computerized files/records, dials on modality equipment, manuals and forms for administering and scoring standardized tests, client records, directions accompanying equipment, to collect information, screen data and research subject matter in English
- Speak in English language in a clear and concise manner; to communicate in person and by phone with clients, families, significant others, the health care team, and community (report factual data orally; interview clients/family; explain role of occupational therapy and purpose of interventions)
- Respond to clients with communication disorders (aphasia, hearing loss), or those who use ELL
- Comprehend oral and written language, including health care terminology in order to communicate with clients, families, significant others, healthcare providers and community
- Write in English, clearly and legibly for recording client specific data and general service delivery information in handwritten charts and computerized systems of documentation; In proper English using various electronic communication systems (email, etc.) to communicate with educational and professional community
- Think critically for sound clinical judgment in the delivery of occupational therapy services (plan and implement appropriate client-centered interventions; problem solve to make adjustments in therapeutic interventions based on appropriate and inappropriate physiological and psychological responses by clients; determine need for consultation with occupational therapist and other health care providers/team members)
- Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations
- Remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies, and respond to patient situations, i.e. falls, pain, or changes in physical or mental status
- Prioritize multiple tasks and maintain composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Sustain concentration to attend to demanding and continuous tasks throughout work shift (direct client care and service management tasks)
- Exhibit social skills necessary to interact effectively with clients, families, supervisors, co-workers and community members of the same or different cultures with respect, compassion, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork, and discretion
- Maintain personal hygiene consistent with the close, personal contact associated with client care
- Display attitudes and actions consistent with the core values ethical standards of the occupational therapy profession
- Display attitudes/actions to effectively engage in the supervisory process including acceptance of feedback, modifying behavior in response to feedback, and providing feedback
- Display attitudes/actions to approach workplace problems in a mature and responsible manner; seek and utilize effective strategies to resolve problems
- Abide by established policies and procedures of educational and health care institutions
- OTA101 Orientation to Occupational Therapy
- OTA110 Planning & Implementation of Programs for Health & Wellbeing
- OTA203 Mental Health Concepts in Occupational Therapy Practice
- OTA204 Level 2 Fieldwork Practice 1
- OTA207 Occupational Therapy for Pediatric Populations
- OTA208 Level 2 Fieldwork Practice 2
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Salem State University
- New England Institute of Technology
- Bay Path University
The curriculum integrates classroom instruction, hands-on lab practice, and clinical experiences to ensure students are prepared for the workforce.
Courses include:
- Foundations of Occupational Therapy
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Therapeutic Techniques for Occupational Therapy
- Clinical Fieldwork I & II
- Psychosocial Aspects of Occupational Therapy
- Pediatric Occupational Therapy
For a full list of courses visit our Academic Catalog.
Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program can pursue careers in:
- Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Pediatric clinics
- Outpatient clinics
- Schools and special education programs
- Home health care agencies
NSCC maintains transfer agreements with various four-year institutions, expanding opportunities for students to pursue bachelor's degrees in their chosen fields. Students are encouraged to consult with academic advisors to explore transfer agreements and plan their academic pathways accordingly.
Download the Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Handbook >
Review the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Policies >
Shauna Manthorn
Program Director
NSCC
Holly Andrews
Supervisor
SeniorCare
Kerry Bourgeois
Director of Rehab
Genesis Rehab Services
Holly Briad
COTA/L
NuPath INC
Kim Cook
Owner
Angel Care Kids Therapist Ctr.
Arlene Hanson
Academic Counselor
NSCC
Karen Hefler
Owner
Rehabilitation Therapy Associates LLC
Lynn Marcus
Career Placement Coordinator
NSCC
Sharon McGrath
Coord. Post-High School
Peabody Public School
Ellen O'Gorman
Executive Director
New England Pediatric Care
Michelle O'Neill
Program Director
Riverside Day Treatment
Chrys Peralta
Occupational Therapist
MAB Community Services
Tiffany Pritchett
Clinical Specialist
Spaulding Rehab Hospital - Boston
Sheri Purdy
Case Manager
Northeast Rehab Hospital
Cely Rosario
Occupational Therapist/Project Lead
Element Care
Jeramie Silveira
Chairperson SSU OT
Salem State University
Melissa Tilton
Clinical Operations Area Director
Genesis Rehab Services
Lori Vinci
Dean of Health Professions
NSCC
Student Achievement Data
Most recent performance results of NSCC Occupational Therapy Assistant graduates on the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy examination can be accessed by visiting this secure NBCOT link.
2022 - 2024 Graduate Information
|
Graduation Year |
Students Entering/Graduating |
Graduation Rate |
| 2024 | 12/11 | 92% |
| 2023 | 13/12 | 92% |
| 2022 | 22/18 | 82% |
| TOTAL | 47/41 | 87% |
Additional Information
Further information about certification exam performance, employment rates and clinical performance of graduates as evaluated by employers is available upon request by contacting:
Shauna Manthorn
Department Chair, OTA Program
Phone: 978-762-4168
Email: smanthor@northshore.edu
Program Questions
smanthor@northshore.edu
978-762-4168
Contact Admissions
General Assistance
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Accreditation
North Shore Community College is an accredited public institute of higher education where all are welcome and each is challenged. NSCC is accredited by NECHE, the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
North Shore Community College's associate-degree-level Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
c/o American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-652-2682
Website: www.acoteonline.org
ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.