Occupational Therapy Assistant

Program Information

Location of Program:

Forrest County Campus

Program Start:

Fall Semester

Program Contact Information:

Cheryl Breland
601.554.5487
ota@prcc.edu
Michelle Haynes
Academic Fieldwork/Instructor
mhaynes@prcc.edu

Brief Description of Program:

This is a 20 month (5 semester) engaging, yet intensive program of study, that prepares students for obtaining certification and licensure for entry-level practice as an occupational therapy assistant. Occupational therapy assistants are an integral part of the healthcare team- working closely with both physical and speech therapists to restore/promote/maintain health and wellness of clients of all ages.

Program graduates are certified through a national certification examination by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Recent graduate performance: https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx

The PRCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The address is: 

ACOTE, c/o Accreditation Department 
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) 
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200 
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929 
Phone: 301-652-6611 
www.acoteonline.org 
accred@AOTA.org 

ACOTE is the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Accreditation has been a stated function of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA®) since 1923. AOTA’s Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) is recognized as the accrediting agency for occupational therapy education by both the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). ACOTE is also an active member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA). 

Possible careers in this program:

Occupational Therapy Assistant; preparation for bridging to Registered Occupational Therapist.

What a student can expect from a career in this field:

Successful graduates of our program can expect employment opportunities within & amongst the following settings & populations: outpatient clinics, hospitals, day centers, inpatient rehabilitation, long-term care and mental health facilities; working with pediatric, adult and geriatric clients to restore/promote/maintain health and wellness through use of occupations (the meaningful activities people perform in their everyday lives) and other therapeutic modalities.

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Mission of Program:

Consistent with the mission of Pearl River Community College, the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is committed to providing a quality technical training program. The program strives for development of competent, diverse, and ethically responsible entry level occupational therapy assistant practitioners which meet the evolving demands of local communities, the OT profession, and society.

Essential requirements of a person in this career field:

You should be highly adaptable, motivated, self-directed and well-rounded with keen observational skills, excellent written and oral communication abilities and demonstrate professional behaviors that reflect a strong work ethic (e.g.- dependability, honesty). Intellectual demands include the ability to read and interpret data correctly and clinically reason through ever-changing situations you will encounter in the healthcare field. Motor function should be such as not to limit your potential to engage with your clients in order to ensure their safety. Ability to work as part of a team and good interpersonal skills are also necessary as compassion, patience and empathy are necessary traits to provide the best care.

PRCC OTA Program Students

Goals of Program:

Our goal is to provide a fun, comprehensive learning environment that prepares each student with the knowledge, tools and resources necessary to graduate from our program in preparation for the NBCOT certification exam, which once passed, will grant them the right to apply for an occupational therapy assistant license to practice in whichever state they choose.

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