Mission The seeks to prepare competent and effective occupational therapy practitioners who value occupation as both a means and an end to quality living for self and others. Statement of Purpose Individuals admitted to the will examine their own diverse backgrounds in order to appreciate the relationship of culture on health, access to health services, and to occupational choices. Through the educational process will gain skills to use technology and seek resources needed for the provision of effective occupational therapy interventions. The program requires to engage in critical reasoning, analysis and communication necessary to participate in the occupational therapy process. The program will provide opportunities to explore existing and potential roles in contemporary and emerging arenas of practice. Goals The goals of the express the essential concepts and ideas that guide the program s curriculum in achieving the mission. These concepts and ideas, explored in the Statement of Professional Philosophy, address eight key domains of knowledge and skill. It is these eight domains that give shape to the program s goals. The Impact of Culture Appreciate one s own cultural heritage and consciously consider the impact of culture in all facets of professional endeavor. Recognize and consider the relationship of culture on the availability of health services, access to and choice of occupations. Oral and Written Communication Skills Demonstrate oral and written communication that meets professionally established standards. Accurately represent the principles and tenets of occupational therapy to a variety of audiences. Use language compatible with the concepts of occupation and the principles of occupational therapy. Utilize current technologies as resources for obtaining information and apply relevant technology. Use of Self as an Agent of Change Identify one s own talents, abilities and learning needs required to engage in professional roles and to assure continuing professional development. Participate professionally as an effective citizen. Ethical Practice Ethical Practitioner Recognize and articulate ethical challenges and generate reasoned, timely and effective strategies for responding appropriately.
The Occupational Therapy Process Demonstrate competence in the delivery of occupational therapy services that utilize the occupational therapy process as a professional framework. Generate and employ interventions that consider established professional intervention principles. Select intervention strategies and approaches that are informed by current knowledge of the occupational therapy profession and of related disciplines. Develop a basic structure for outcomes assessment of occupational therapy services. The Collaborative Practitioner Demonstrate competence in inter and intradisciplinary collaboration in all aspects of the occupational therapy process. Understanding Practice Settings the Multiskilled Practitioner Frame the knowledge base and skills of the occupational therapy assistant for a variety of practice settings. Recognize health service needs in a variety of models and systems, and consider viable roles for occupational therapy practitioners. Learning and Teaching Processes Identify one s own learning styles and needs, and generate strategies for effective, self-directed learning. Deliver occupational therapy services and interventions that meet the needs of a variety of target populations. Student Learning Outcomes: The program s student learning outcomes are one part of an overall program evaluation system that is designed to comply with the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program s accreditation requirements as determined by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, Accreditation Standards for the Occupational Therapy Assistant, 1998. 1. Appreciate the meanings and impact of culture for self as an individual and professional, relate it to occupational choices and opportunities, and to the accessing of healthcare services. 2. Use oral, written and technology-based communication with consumers, consumer groups, peers, and other professionals/parties of interest. 3. Assume responsible, caring and proactive roles as an effective healthcare professional. 4. Recognize and articulate ethical challenges and generate reasoned, timely and effective strategies for responding appropriately to these challenges. 5. Engage in the safe and effective application of the occupational therapy process to occupational therapy consumers and special populations. 6. Demonstrate competence in inter and intradisciplinary collaboration in all aspects of the occupational therapy process.
7. Possess the knowledge and skills needed to practice as an occupational therapy assistant in a variety of healthcare delivery models, systems and settings. 8. Recognize the need for continuing professional development through participation in continuing educational activities. 9. Possess the knowledge, skills and credentials necessary for entry-level practice as an occupational therapy assistant. BENCHMARKS FOR ASSESSING OTA LEARNING OUTCOMES The expected outcomes establish the minimum levels of competency strived for to fulfill the OTA Program s mission and goals. D = Direct Assessment Method I = Indirect Assessment Method Assessment Methods Expected Outcomes 1. Appreciate the meanings and impact of culture for self as an individual and professional, relate it to occupational choices and opportunities, and to access to healthcare. Certification Exam results (I) Graduate Survey (beginning class of 2004) (D) Employer Survey (beginning class of 2004) (I) Final grades in all OTA courses, 107 and above (D) Ratings-Items 7, 12 & 13 (D) Student end-of-term course evaluations (D) 85% pass rate of C or above 85% of report meeting related course competencies with mean score of 3.5 or above (5 point scale). 2. Use oral, written, and technology-based communication with consumers, consumer groups, peers, other professionals and parties of interest. Graduate Survey (class of 04) (D) 80% report program prepared them to function effectively as. Employer Survey (class of 04) (I) Final grades in all OTA courses, 107 and above (D) Ratings-Section V, Items 18 & 19 (D)
3. Assume responsible, caring and proactive roles as an effective healthcare professional. Graduate Survey (Class of 04) (D) Employer Survey (Class of 04) (I) Ratings Overall score (D) Use of Educational Guarantee (D) Employment rate of graduates (I) 0% use of program s Educational Guarantee 85% of graduates seeking OTA or OTA related position will be successful within 3-6 months of program completion. 4. Recognize and articulate ethical challenges and generate reasoned, timely and effective strategies for responding appropriately. Ratings Items 1, 4, 5 & 6 (D) Final grades in OTA 215 and 216 (D) 90% pass rate of C or above 5. Engage in the safe and effective application of the occupational therapy process to occupational therapy consumers and special populations. Ratings Overall score(i) OTA 109 (D) OTA 209 (D) OTA 212 (D) Number of student or consumer incidents involving injury (D) <5% injury rate for consumers or during fieldwork education coursework Use of Educational Guarantee (D) 0% use of program s Educational Guarantee 6. Demonstrate competence in inter and intradisciplinary collaboration in all aspects of the occupational therapy process. Ratings Overall score(d) OTA 109 (D) OTA 209 (D) OTA 212 (D)
OTA 215 (D) OTA 216 (D) Use of Educational Guarantee (D) 0% use of program s Educational Guarantee 7. Possess the knowledge and skills needed to practice as an occupational therapy assistant in a variety of healthcare delivery models, systems and settings. Ratings Overall score (D) 109 (D) 209 (D) 211 (D) 212 (D) 214 (D) 215 (D) 216 (D) Employment settings of graduates (I) >10% of graduates report seeking and/or finding employment in emerging practice settings OTA Course evaluations (I) 85% rate items at 3.5 (out of 5) or above Use of Educational Guarantee (D) 0% use of program s Educational Guarantee 8. Recognize the need for continuing professional development through participation in continuing education activities. Graduate survey (D) Participation in mentoring program (beginning 2005) (D) Final Grade OTA 216 100% of graduates report participation in continuing education within one year of program completion 10% or more graduates will participate in OTA Student Mentoring Program 100% complete professional development assignment 9. Possess the knowledge, skills and credentials necessary for entry-level practice as an occupational therapy assistant. Final grades in OTA 215 and 216 (D) 80% pass rate with C or above Program completion rates (time frame) 75% of graduates will complete program requirements (I) within the usual, established timeframe Short term program retention rates (I) 80% of starting program will begin the 2 nd year of study Long term program retention rates (I) 85% of starting 2 nd year of study will complete program