The first 12 occupational therapy assistant students at Chattahoochee Technical College faced stiff competition to get into the new program and a challenging curriculum when they started classes earlier this month. However, the hard work should pay off with a good job when the students graduate from the five-semester program.
“There’s a big demand in Georgia for occupational therapy assistants [OTAs], and we’re offering the first public program in the metro Atlanta area,” said Traci Swartz, program director for the two-year associate degree program.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 30 percent increase in employment for occupational therapy assistants through 2018.
“Occupational therapy is a lesser-known health care profession than physical therapy. It isn’t easy to define because OTs do so many different things and work in so many settings,” Swartz said. “They help individuals across their lifespans participate in all the things they want or need to do.”
Occupational therapy assistants work in hospitals and rehabilitation clinics, helping patients recover from strokes, illnesses or catastrophic injuries. Some work with mentally challenged students in schools. They also help aging clients who have health, mobility or sight issues stay safely in their homes. OTAs work in the care and treatment of patients under the direction of licensed occupational therapists.
“They need a compassionate and caring personality and a desire to help others. Good communication and observation skills, and creative problem-solving abilities are needed to do the job well,” Swartz said. “The rewards are seeing the improvement of patients. I’ve seen people go from the coma stage of brain injuries to being able to walk, talk and care for their daily needs.”
Prospective applicants are required to complete prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology, psychology and others. They also must take the HOBET (Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test) for health care programs and complete two clinical observations of occupational therapists at work. The next class of OTA students at Chattahoochee Tech will start classes in the program in January 2013. Prospective students can start taking prerequisite classes to prepare for the application process.
“We are seeing young people and career changers entering the field. Some have worked in the physical fitness arena and want to learn more skills. Others have known people who were helped by occupational therapy,” Swartz said.
OTA students learn about the fundamentals of occupational therapy; safe handling methods for patients; growth and development; physical and psychological dysfunction treatment methods; therapeutic adaptations; and other skills. They also complete two eight-week clinical field work assignments.
“The degree consists of 94 credit hours and costs about $6,000 to $7,000 in tuition, fees and books, but students may qualify for the HOPE scholarship or other financial aid,” Swartz said.
Graduates find jobs in various health care or agency settings. The average annual salary for OTAs is about $48,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For information, go to www.chattahoocheetech.edu or call the health sciences advisor at 770-732-5907.
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