As of 8/28/06 Chair's Information: South Texas College Division of Nursing/Allied Health Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Master Syllabus Fall 2006 1. Name of Chair: Esperanza J. Brattin, OTR 2. Office Location: Room # 320 Dr. Ramiro R. Casso Nursing & Allied Health Center 1101 Vermont, McAllen TX 78503 3. Telephone #: (956) 872-3149 4. FAX #: (956) 872-3163 5. E-mail Address: ebrattin@southtexascollege.edu Course Information: 1. Course Name: Health Care Management In Occupational Therapy 2. Course #: OTHA 2335.A01 3. Catalog Course Description: This course explores the roles of the occupational therapy assistant in health care delivery. Emphasis is placed on documentation, occupational therapy standards and ethics, health care team role delineation, and management. Prerequisite: Completion of previous semester courses with a grade of C or better. 4. Department/Program Learning Outcomes: The student will: Uphold the ethical standards, values, and attitudes, of the Occupational Therapy Profession. Document occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service provision and to meet standards for reimbursement of services. Documentation shall effectively communicate the need and rationale of OT services/treatment in a manner that conveys that treatment is considered reasonable and necessary. Demonstrate the ability to interact through written, oral, and nonverbal communication with client/family/significant others, colleagues, other health providers, and the public. Understand the meaning and dynamics of occupation and purposeful activity including the interaction of performance areas, performance components, and performance contexts. Understand the distinct roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant in the supervisory process. 5. Course Learning Objectives: Delineate the roles of the therapy assistant and the registered occupational therapist Understand and outline the role of the occupational therapy assistant as activity director including assessment, planning, and program management Demonstrate proficiency in documentation for legal as well as reimbursement purposes Assess and relate the requirement for certification and licensure Delineate and explain components of quality assurance as it relates to health care systems Analyze issues related to ethical practice 1
Understand and summarize the roles of the health care team Identify basic management strategies Differentiate components of supervision Explore organizational patterns and practices in the administration of therapy in health care. Contribute to the development/maintenance of OT policies & procedures Participate in quality assurance program/program evaluation Adhere to standards for safe and efficient operation Comply with organizational policies and procedures Demonstrate knowledge of applicable national and state requirements for credentialing Use principles of time management, including being able to schedule and prioritize workloads Maintain and organize treatment areas, equipment, and supply inventory Demonstrate program evaluation using pre-determined criteria. 6.0 ASSIST IN MANAGEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES Application of principles of management and systems in the provision of occupational therapy services to individuals and organizations shall facilitate development of the performance criteria listed below. The student will: 6.1 Understand a variety of systems and service models, including, but not limited to, health care, education, community, and social models, and how these models may effect service provision. 6.2 Understand the implications and effects of federal and state regulatory and legislative bodies on practice. 6.3 Demonstrate knowledge of applicable national and state requirements for credentialing. 6.4 Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to comply with the various reimbursement mechanisms that affect the practice of occupational therapy, including, but not limited to, federal and state reimbursement practices and third party and private payers. 6.5 Advocate for the profession and the consumer and demonstrate an understanding of the due process and appeals systems when reimbursement is not approved for occupational therapy services. 6.6 Use principles of time management, including being able to schedule and prioritize workloads. 6.7 Maintain and organize treatment areas, equipment, and supply inventory. 6.8 Maintain records as required by practice setting, third-party payers, and regulatory agencies. 6.9 Demonstrate program evaluation using predetermined criteria. 6.10 Understand the ongoing professional responsibility for providing fieldwork education and supervision. 6. Departmental Course Requirements, Evaluation Methods, and Grading Criteria: Knowledge of course content will be evaluated by unit exams; the student will also be evaluated on his participation in problem-based learning activities, oral presentations, assigned homework, completion of projects, etc. The use of other methods of integrating and evaluating learning, i.e. small group work, response papers, research projects, course portfolios, case study is optional. A student must pass the course with a grade of C or better. The breakdown of number to letter grades is: A 100--90 B 89--80 C 79--95 2
The Department requires instructors to cover major concepts through classroom lectures and discussions, supplemented by audio-visual materials. Assigned readings from the textbook and other learning materials and processes are at the discretion of the instructor. Course grade is based on the following breakdown: Quizzes 50% Homework/Notebook 10% Lab Assignments 10% Research Paper 20% Journal Reviews 5% Class participation 5% 7. Required Textbook & Resources: Management Skills for the Occupational Therapy Assistant SCANS Information: 1. Departmental Foundation Skills: (for Academic & Technical Courses) Basic Skills: The OTA Demonstrate oral and written communication skills: student must read, write, perform arithmetic and mathematical operations, Reading: locating, understanding, and interpreting written information in the course syllabus, textbooks, and references required. listen, and speak Writing: Communicating thoughts, ideas, information, and messages in writing effectively. These skills by providing written feedback to the instructor in the form of daily assignments include: and exams and special assignments, and other written reports summarizing applied objectives as specified by the course syllabus. Students are responsible for correct spelling of medical and non-medical terms as well as correct syntax and neatness Arithmetic: performing basic computations, using basic numerical concepts such as whole numbers in distances, repetition of exercises, computing productivity reports, budgets, etc. Mathematics: approaching practical problems by discussing and understanding appropriate patient treatment times and costs as well as the interpretation of appropriate scientific/mathematical frequencies, wave lengths, for therapeutic modalities and angles/torque s for therapeutic exercise. Listening: receiving, attending to, interpreting, and responding to verbal and non-verbal messages. Students respond to their peers daily and especially during oral presentations with graded feedback and meet with faculty during the semester to evaluate their listening skills. Speaking: organizing ideas and communicating orally by interacting with other students and faculty during class, lab time (supervised and/or unsupervised) and Thinking Skills: The OTA student must think creatively, make decisions, solve problems, visualize, and know how to learn, and reason effectively. These skills include: by delivering oral presentations as assigned. Employ logical thinking, critical analysis, problem solving, and creativity: Class group projects utilizing problem-based learning; assignments requiring current trends and issues, recognize problems and develop solutions. Must be able to utilize strong problem solving skills. The student will be able to deal with abstract and concrete variables, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Problem Solving: recognizing individual academic and /or personal problems; devising and implementing a plan of action to remediate the problem in conjunction with the instructor or program director. Knowing how to Learn: using efficient learning techniques as taught in the classroom and lab settings to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills. These 3
Personal Qualities: The OTA student must display responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, integrity, and honesty. techniques include hands on learning. Various learning techniques are also used in the computer labs to reinforce learning of OT principles. Individual and group assignments will require the student to set goals, implement time management strategies, meet course goals, and present self in a professional manner in both appearance and conduct. The student will be able to make generalizations, evaluation or decisions without immediate supervision. The student will be able to accept and carry out responsibility for direction, control and planning. The student will be able to conduct self in accordance with professional ethics. Responsibility: Students are responsible for turning in assignments on time, as outlined by the syllabus and are responsible to the professional behaviors components of the student handbook. Self-esteem: believing in one s own self-worth and maintaining a positive view of one s self by self-evaluation during the mid-term evaluation; participating in group discussions during classroom or lab sessions, and establishing leadership roles in the OTA class. Sociability: demonstrating understanding, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, and politeness to peers, faculty, and staff during classroom, and lab. Students are objectively evaluated in this area by the participation, work ethics and professional behaviors grading components. Self-Management: assessing oneself accurately as evaluated during the midterm and final student evaluation; setting personal goals of academic and skills knowledge competency by obtaining at least 75% of all grading components of the course curriculum and maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA in the course; monitoring progress between mid-term and final student evaluations, and exhibiting self-control as indicated in the professional behavior component. Integrity and Honesty: choosing ethical courses of action as established by the work ethics and professional behaviors components. Not committing fraudulent or negligent acts in the classroom or lab settings. 2. Departmental Workplace Competencies: (for Technical Courses) Resources: The OTA student must identify, organize, plan, and Use principles of time management, including being able to schedule and prioritize workloads. allocate resources effectively by: Learn to assist in the management of occupational therapy services including: Departmental operations: scheduling, record keeping, safety and maintenance of supplies and equipment; Supervisory requirements: facility, state and national requirements for the profession; Personnel training and supervision; Data collect for quality assurance; Compliance with regulations and reimbursement requirements; Applicable national and state credentialing Time: Selecting goal relevant academic activities such as additional laboratory time, additional computer time and independent study time, and rank them to allocate appropriate time and preparation for classroom activities, assignments, and discussions. Money: Preparing hypothetical capital equipment and/or employee staff budgets to meet the changing fiscal demands of health care. Students have the opportunity to prepare charges and are aware of specific occupational therapy costs by the completion of a special project. Material and Facilities: Utilizing classroom equipment and teaching materials safely and efficiently; replacing materials in proper storage space. Human Resources: assessing individual skills and distributing one s work according to professional behaviors, evaluating one s performance during midterm and final student evaluation and providing constructive feedback to other students and faculty. 4
Information: An OTA student must be able to acquire and use information. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the AOTA Code of Ethics, Core Values and Attitudes of OT, and AOTA Standards of Practice. Understand the functions and influence of national, state, and local OT associations and other related professional associations. Understand the role and responsibility of the practitioner to address changes in service delivery policies and to effect changes in the system. Understand a variety of systems and service models, including health care, education, community, and social models. Understand the implications and effects of federal and State regulatory legislative bodies on practice. Demonstrate knowledge of applicable national and state requirements for credentialing. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to comply with the various reimbursement mechanisms that affect OT practice. Advocate for the profession and the consumer and understand the due process and appeals systems when reimbursement is not approved. Interpersonal: The OTA student must work with Demonstrate the ability to interact through written, oral, and nonverbal communication. others effectively. Develop values, attitudes, and behaviors congruent with: a. The profession s standards and ethics; b. Individual responsibility for continued learning c. Interdisciplinary and supervisory relationships within the administrative hierarchy d. Participation in the promotion of occupational therapy through the involvement in professional organizations, governmental bodies, and human service organizations e. Understanding of the importance of the role of the occupational therapy assistant in occupational therapy research, publication, program evaluation, and documentation of services Participate as a team member: contribute to a group effort during class, laboratory time, and during clinical practicums. Exercises leadership: communicating ideas to justify position, persuading and convincing others, responsibly challenging existing policies and procedures. Negotiate: working towards agreements involving exchange of resources between OTA students, students in other disciplines, and faculty in preparation and for working and consulting with other health care peers, students, and instructors of the health care team. Demonstrate understanding of professional responsibilities related to liability concerns. Develop an understanding of personal and professional abilities and competencies as they relate to job responsibilities. Understand and appreciate the varied roles of the OTA as a practitioner and educator. Articulate the importance of professional relationships between the OT and the OTA. Understand professional responsibilities when service provision is on a contractual basis in the current system. Understand approaches to use in resolving personal and organizational ethical conflicts. Work with Diversity: working well and seeking opportunities to work with others of diverse backgrounds. collaboration with other students to solve a hypothetical clinical problem; work through a classroom group conflict situation; instruct a concept to another student with an alternative learning approach; select and use appropriate leadership styles for the class elected officers; use effective delegation techniques when researching and presenting projects. Systems: The OTA Understand the models of health care, education, community, and social systems 5
student must understand complex interrelationships. Technology: The OTA student must be able to work with a variety of technologies. as they relate to OT practice Direction of activity programs: Planning and implementation of group and individual programs to promote health, function, and quality of life Demonstrate program evaluation using predetermined criteria. Understand systems: Knowing how social, organizational, and technological systems work and operate effectively with them. OTA students must research and report on the balance between managing a profitable clinic during a time when health care costs are being reduced and expenses are on the rise. All of this must be done while maintaining professional care with high standard of quality assurance. A student may choose to draw or interpret an organizational chart to explain the chain of command and quality assurance or become aware of a situation in occupational therapy needing improvement and plan further investigation into the resolution of the problem. Monitors and Corrects Performance: Distinguishing trends, predicting impacts on system operations, diagnosing systems performance and correcting malfunctions. Improves or Designs Systems: Suggesting modifications to existing systems and developing new or alternative systems to improve performance. Select Technology: Demonstrate competence in basic computer use. ADA Students with Disabilities Statement: Reasonable accommodations may be made that allow disabled students to be successful at STCC. Accommodations may be provided for those students who submit the appropriate documentation by an outside/independent professional evaluator or agency. Contact an STCC ADA/DSS Counselor in the Annex (Pecan) or call (956) 872-2173. Students may volunteer to inform the Instructor about their disability and associated classroom limitations, if applicable. Statement of Equal Opportunity: No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored or conducted by South Texas College on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status or disability. Alternative Format Statement: This document is available in an alternative format upon request by calling (956) 618-8302. 6