Occupational Therapy Assistant

Mission

The mission of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Trident Technical College is to prepare professional, competent, ethical and collaborative practitioners through innovative, experiential learning that supports academic achievement, workforce readiness and meaningful community engagement.

Vision

The vision of the Occupational Therapy Program is to empower future occupational therapy assistants to transform lives through compassionate, evidence-based and client-centered care while advancing participation in meaningful occupation, inclusion and wellness within diverse communities.

Philosophy

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program values human dignity, therapeutic use of self, lifelong learning, collaboration and occupation-based practice. Through experiential and student-centered education, the program fosters compassionate practitioners who promote participation, independence and quality of life for individuals across the lifespan.

OTA Program Student Outcomes:

Graduation Year	Students Entering	Students Graduating	Academic Withdrawals	Non-academic Withdrawals	Graduation Rate
2024	24	18	4	2	82%
2025	20	17	3	2	85%
2026	24	16	6	3	76%
TOTAL	71	51	13	7	80%

The number of graduates for Trident Technical College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program during the 3-year period of 2024, 2025 and 2026 was 51 with an overall graduation rate of 80%.

Graduation rates are calculated in accordance with ACOTE standards and include adjustments for students who withdraw for approved non-academic reasons.

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.

• Students who complete the program will graduate in May of the following year.
• Students must successfully complete all three semesters of OTA program coursework in order to be recommended for the national exam.
• Labs and most lectures are held face-to-face on Thornley Campus. Currently, three courses in the program are offered in a hybrid format (a combination of face-to-face and online learning).
• OTAs work under the supervision of an OTR.

Managing work, school and personal life can be challenging due to program demands. Personal transportation is required for community and fieldwork experiences. Students should anticipate completing fieldwork experiences both locally and out of the area. Students who are assigned fieldwork experiences out of the area are responsible for making their own living arrangement, and any additional costs incurred.

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 as well as communicable diseases may be encountered in this field.

OTA students can expect to address issues hat deal with bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding, as well as higher level daily life skills.

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.

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.

Background Check: A criminal background check and drug screening is required for all OTA students. This process is completed once the student begins the program. Results of the background check and/or drug screen could affect a student's ability to complete fieldwork rotations, and/or their ability to become credentialed.

*Note: While it is not a requirement of the OTA program to be vaccinated for COVID 19, it may be a requirement of many of our clinical facilities where you will be assigned for fieldwork rotations. Seasonal Flu vaccination is a requirement unless the student has a documented allergy.

• The program is full-time. Learning experiences are provided on and off campus. Typically, classroom hours are during the day from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., however, some community experiences or an occasional guest lecture may occur during evening hours.
• Students can expect to engage in learning experiences that require public speaking, collaboration with other disciplines and educating members of the community.
• OTA students are required to successfully demonstrate skill competencies during lab practicals each semester.
• Students are assessed for professional development each semester.
• Students must successfully complete four fieldwork experiences. One, Level I experience is one week in length and occurs during the summer semester. The second Level I experience is the equivalent of 36-40 hours and occurs over the course of the fall semester. Two Level II experiences occur in the spring semester and are eight weeks in length per experience. Students may be sent to a fieldwork site that is out of the Charleston area. This may include sites that are in or out of state. While we utilize as many local sites as possible, we are unable to make special accommodations, or meet student requests, to complete all fieldwork experiences locally. Students adhere to the schedule (days and times) of their onsite fieldwork supervisor during all fieldwork rotations.

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.

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

1. Successful completion of all course requirements listed on the OTA Curriculum Display (a total of 67 credit hours).
2. All prerequisite and core OTA courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
3. 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.

The OTA curriculum is organized around four curricular threads that guide learning experiences, professional development, clinical reasoning and preparation for entry-level occupational therapy assistant practice.

• Professionalism - emphasizes development of ethical practice, communication, leadership, collaboration, advocacy, reflective practice, and professional responsibility.
• Clinical Reasoning - supports students’ ability to analyze occupational performance, synthesize information, adapt interventions and engage in evidence-informed decision-making.
• Occupation-Based and Client-Centered Practice - reflects the profession’s philosophical belief that participation in meaningful occupation promotes health, well-being and quality of life while recognizing the importance of client values, culture, diversity and individual context in service delivery.
• Evidence-Based and Experiential Learning - emphasizes scholarly inquiry, reflective practice, hands-on learning, simulation, laboratory instruction, service learning and fieldwork experiences that support application of knowledge within authentic clinical and community settings.

Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Trident Technical College will meet the following student learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate professional, ethical and legal behaviors consistent with occupational therapy standards, regulatory guidelines and the AOTA Code of Ethics.
2. Communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, families, supervisors and interprofessional team members using professional oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
3. Demonstrate leadership, advocacy, professional responsibility and engagement in service to the profession and community
4. Analyze occupational performance by evaluating activity demands, client factors, performance skills, performance patterns and environmental influences.
5. Apply clinical reasoning and evidence-informed decision-making to ensure safe, effective and client-centered occupational therapy service delivery.
6. Demonstrate competency in assessment, intervention planning, grading, adaptation and modification of occupational therapy interventions to meet client needs.
7. Implement the occupational therapy process using occupation-based and client-centered approaches that reflect client values, diversity, culture and meaningful participation.
8. Utilize therapeutic occupations, adaptive equipment and environmental modifications to support participation, independence, health and well-being.
9. Integrate evidence-based practice and scholarly inquiry into occupational therapy service delivery and clinical decision-making.
10. Critically appraise and communicate evidence through professional presentations, research activities, and application of best practice interventions.

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.

COVID-19 vaccines as well as other vaccines/immunizations/titers may be required for some health sciences programs in order to attend clinicals. Should immunizations and titers be required by a clinical affiliate and the student refuses to obtain the vaccines/immunizations/titers, this may impact the student’s ability to be assigned to certain clinical rotations, which may in turn impact the student’s ability to continue in the program.