Occupational Therapy Assistant

Program Outcomes

At the end of this program, the graduate will:

• Apply ethical standards and safety guidelines during the Occupational Therapy (OT) Process.
• Apply knowledge of global practices, scientific practice, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology in order to demonstrate the basic tenets of entry- level occupational therapy practice.
• Assist in evaluation and screening processes by gathering data, administering assessments, assisting with interpretation, reporting results, and collaborating with Occupational Therapist to establish goals.
• Perform interventions by planning, selecting, implementing, grading according to activity analysis, modifying intervention plans, and therapeutic use of self.
• Communicate in all formats, written, oral, nonverbal and electronic, with a diverse client population, interdisciplinary team members, and the public in a professional and effective manner.
• Display professional behaviors through self-responsibility, response to feedback, work behaviors, time management, interpersonal skills, and cultural competence.
• Prepare to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

Program Philosophy

The philosophy of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program reflects AOTA’s philosophical basis. “Occupations are activities that bring meaning to the daily lives of individuals, families, communities, and populations and enable them to participate in society. All individuals have an innate need and right to engage in meaningful occupations throughout their lives. Participation in these occupations influences their development, health, and well-being across the lifespan. Thus, participation in meaningful occupations is a determinant of health and leads to adaptation. Occupations occur within diverse social, physical, cultural, personal, temporal, and virtual contexts. The quality of occupational performance and the experience of each occupation are unique in each situation because of the dynamic relationship among factors intrinsic to the individual, the environment and contexts in which the occupation occurs, and the characteristics of the occupation. The focus and outcome of occupational therapy are clients’ engagement in meaningful occupations that support their participation in life situations. Occupational therapy practitioners conceptualize occupations as both a means and an end in therapy. That is, therapeutic value in occupational engagement as a change agent, and engagement in occupations is also the ultimate goal of therapy. Occupational therapy is based on the belief that occupations are fundamental to health promotion and wellness, remediation or restoration, health maintenance, disease and injury prevention, and compensation and adaptation. The use of occupation to promote individual, family, community, and population health is the core of occupational therapy practice, education, research, and advocacy.” [2017]

Program Performance

 Baker College Owosso

The total number of graduates from the Baker College of Owosso Associates of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the three-year period of 2022 – 2024 was 18, with an overall graduation rate of 90%.

 Baker College of Muskegon

The total number of graduates from the Baker College of Muskegon Associates of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the three-year period of 2022 – 2024 was 8, with an overall graduation rate of 89%.

Baker College routinely tracks the pass rates for all graduates of the national certification examination for occupational therapy. The direct link to the NBCOT program data results is: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.