SUNY Erie Community College

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

Program Competencies

Upon graduation with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, the graduate will be able to:

• identify basic patient needs and deficits by utilizing available resources, i.e. medical chart, performance of initial screenings, use of occupational therapy evaluation, patient/client observation team members, family and significant others;
• participate in assessment of patient/client occupational performance capacities and/or limitations;
• demonstrate ability to set patient/client goals and to plan a therapeutic program to prevent deterioration or promote independence in a patient/client performance of work, self-care and play/leisure;
• select appropriate therapeutic activities to meet an individual's performance in work, self-care and play by incorporating components of an individual's life space to include cultural background, work/leisure history, socio-economic level;
• adapt therapeutic activities and/or the environment to meet a patient/client's physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory integrative or developmental needs;
• utilize communication skills, both verbal and written, to exercise effective communication within a clinical setting;
• coordinate clinical programs (i.e. in-service, patient/client, home, community, facility) and implement these programs within clinical setting;
• fabricate clinical equipment, adaptive equipment and orthotic devices used in various clinical settings;
• instruct patient, staff and family in use of fabricated equipment;
• monitor and maintain clinical equipment with regards to a given facility's policies and procedures;
• perform business-related functions-attendance records, statistical reports, submit billing for third party payment;
• conduct oneself in a professional manner by adhering to the standards of practice, patient rights and confidentiality;
• maintain a therapeutic environment within a clinical setting to ensure order, safety, patient/client privacy; and
• participate in the American Occupational Therapy Certification Exam.