Occupational Therapy Assistant

What can I do as an occupational therapy assistant?

Occupational therapy assistants work with adults, adolescents, and children with a variety of physical, mental, or developmental impairments under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist. During the course of a work day, the OTA may address issues related to self-care, home management, work, play, leisure, social engagement, or education. The occupational therapy assistant may educate clients and families in prevention, wellness, safety, coping strategies, adaptive equipment, and techniques to assist the client with achieving the highest possible level of independence. Everyday activities are used as a therapeutic tool and are one of the unique and wonderful aspects of occupational therapy.

What characteristics and skills do I need to work in this field?

To be the most effective occupational therapy practitioner possible the OTA should be creative, resourceful, innovative, flexible, compassionate, empathetic, organized, and an effective communicator. OTA students should have an aptitude for science and the arts and have an interest in the health care industry.

Where can I work?

Occupational therapy assistants work in a variety of settings including hospitals, home health agencies, private practices, skilled nursing/assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics, mental health clinics and programs, and public school systems.

What is a typical salary of an occupational therapy assistant?

Starting salaries for new OTA graduates vary widely based upon geographic locale and site of employment (hospital, home health, private practice, skilled nursing/assisted living facilities or school system). Income in more rural areas tends to be higher than in metropolitan areas. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for OTAs in the state of S.C. is $64,850 - $67,440 ( https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes312011.htm).

What does Trident Technical College offer?

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Students gain the knowledge and the skills needed to be occupational therapy practitioners through class and lab work as well as hands-on training in clinical settings. Program graduates can sit for the national certification examination. Successful completion of this exam entitles the individual to practice as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA).

Accreditation

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 7501 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814, 301.652.2682 www.acoteonline.org.

Status: Accredited

Visit https://acoteonline.org/schools/ota-associate/ to view accreditation status.

General Information

Enrollment: The OTA program enrolls 25 students each May.

Faculty: The OTA program has the equivalency of two full-time instructors, a full-time program coordinator and a full-time academic fieldwork coordinator. Additional guest lecturers are utilized. See Faculty and Staff.

Certification and Licensure: Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national certification examination for occupational therapy assistants administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy Inc. (NBCOT). Successful completion of this exam entitles the individual to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist. Most states require licensure to practice; however, 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. A direct link to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) provides information regarding the OTA program pass rates for graduates attempting the national certification examination. This information may be accessed at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.

Schedule: The professional courses begin each Summer Semester. Classes include both didactic and laboratory sessions. Classes are usually scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The OTA program cannot accept part-time students and is offered only on Thornley Campus. Professional courses consist of three hybrid courses (combination of in-person and online learning), six in-person courses (five of which are lab courses), two level I fieldwork experiences, and two-level II fieldwork experiences.

Fieldwork (clinical rotations): The OTA curriculum requires that each student complete Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences. The OTA program affiliates with various facilities throughout the southeast. Fieldwork placements are evaluated on an individual basis and are made by OTA faculty. Due to the limited availability of sites, there is no guarantee that a given student will be able to remain in Charleston or be placed in the location of his/her choice for clinical rotations. The student is responsible for arranging housing, meals, transportation, and finances during these clinical rotations. Each student must sign a Memorandum of Understanding in reference to this policy before beginning the program.

Students must complete Level II fieldwork immediately following successful completion of coursework, as is indicated on the OTA curriculum display, however, in the event of extenuating circumstances OTA faculty may grant the student an extension for completion of fieldwork requirements. This extension may not exceed 12 months from course completion. Students may be exposed to patients who are critically ill, have infectious diseases, mental health or behavioral disorders during clinical rotations. Open wounds and exposure to blood and body fluids may be encountered in this field.

Physical Demands: An occupational therapy assistant may need to be able to perform the following in day-to-day work situations:

• Remain continuously on task for 3-4 hours while standing, sitting, moving, lifting and/or bending.
• Lift and move loads in excess of 50 lbs.
• Engage motor skills (bilaterally reaching, grasping, handling, manipulating) to provide safe and effective patient care.

*See the Essential Functions Form for a list of required physical, cognitive, sensory, communication and professional skills.

Insurance: Students must provide proof of major medical insurance. Students are required to purchase additional professional liability insurance for fieldwork experiences

Technology: Technologies required for the OTA Program include internet access, a personal laptop with a webcam, and app accessibility. These technologies are utilized for online, hybrid, and face-to-face coursework. Chromebooks are not compatible with our online testing and therefore cannot be used.

Salary: Starting salaries for new OTA graduates vary widely based upon geographic locale and site of employment (hospital, home health, private practice, skilled nursing/assisted living facilities or school system). Income in more rural areas tends to be higher than in metropolitan areas. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for OTAs in the state of S.C. is $64,850 - $67,440 ( https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes312011.htm).

Job Settings: Graduates of the OTA program work in a variety of settings including hospitals, home health agencies, private practices, skilled nursing/assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics, and public school systems.

OTA Program Student Outcomes: 

The number of graduates for Trident Technical College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program during the 3-year period of 2023, 2024 and 2025 was 48 with an overall graduation rate of 81%.

Estimated Program Cost:

Please note that tuition and fees are subject to change, and students should visit Trident Technical College’s Tuition and Payment page to view updated tuition and registration costs for local, in-state, and out-of-state residency per semester. The chart below depicts the estimated total tuition cost of the OTA program based on completing 76 credit hours within a 2-year period. This chart is updated yearly. 

Tuition per semester, as suggested by the OTA program:

*In-County refers to Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties.

Students may complete a FAFSA to help determine what financial aid they are eligible for including Lottery Tuition Assistance. To view available financial aid options, please click here.

There are no fees associated with distance education for the OTA program.

Below is a list of additional miscellaneous program costs. Please note that these costs fluctuate and vary greatly from student to student based on financial aid eligibility and personal circumstances.

Admission process: 

1. Complete and submit the Trident Technical College Application.
2. After acceptance to the college, complete the Health Sciences Application.
3. Be able to perform the essential functions requirements.
4. After submitting the Health Sciences Application, the student will receive details in their Trident Tech email from the Health Sciences Admissions Coordinator regarding the their acceptance, and any outstanding items, and information and access to the following:
   • OTA Online Program Information Session and Quiz: Students must achieve a 100% on the online quiz following the session to verify the information was reviewed and understood. Unlimited attempts are provided.
   • OTA Program Observation Video: Students must watch the video and complete the adjoining quiz. Student must achieve a 100% on this quiz. Unlimited attempts are provided.
5. Successfully complete all prerequisite coursework.
6. Submit the Health Science Division Statement of Completion Form.

Graduation Requirements:

Students become eligible for graduation by adhering to all admissions requirements listed above and meeting the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of all course requirements listed on the OTA Curriculum Display (a total of 76 credit hours).
2. All prerequisite and core OTA courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
3. A minimum GPA of 2.5 between MAT 120 (or MAT 110), BIO 210, and BIO 211 must be achieved as a prerequisite requirement.
4. All prerequisite science courses must be taken within 5 years of entering the program (this includes AHS 104, BIO 210, and BIO 211).
5. The Registrar’s office establishes deadlines for graduation application yearly, and students must apply by the established deadline to have their final GPA processed and to receive their diploma.