OTA Program Information

What is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

Under the direction of an Occupational Therapist, the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) assists in evaluating patients and in developing a plan of selected tasks to restore, influence, or enhance performance of individuals whose abilities to cope with daily-living tasks are impaired or threatened by developmental deficits, the aging process, physical injury or illness, learning disabilities, or psychological and social disabilities. Occupational Therapy Assistants are employed in general hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health-care agencies, private practices, and other specialized health-care settings.

Mission of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

The mission of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program as well as the mission of Wallace State is to provide the opportunity for the development of knowledge and skills through a quality OTA program and services that are affordable, accessible and responsive to the needs of the community.

Wallace State also seeks to educate competent occupational therapy assistants who will provide Alabama with needed practitioners to assist citizens in achieving wellness.

Goals of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

The overall goal of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is to provide students with an educational opportunity to acquire skills, knowledge and professional attitudes necessary for successful employment as competent entry-level, state licensed and nationally certified occupational therapy assistants.

Associate in Applied Science Degree

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program requires a minimum of two years of study. The student must complete the first year of program prerequisites before being eligible to apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. The second year classes begin in the Fall Semester, and three semesters are necessary to complete the final year of the program. The second year includes technical and clinical experience at a variety of health-care settings. During the Level II Fieldwork portion of the curriculum, the OTA student works under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist and/or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. The OTA Program provides students with academic and clinical experiences to successfully meet occupational therapy practitioner requirements. The Program does not participate in job placement.

Faculty

   Tammy R. Gipson, OTR/L
   Program Director
   (256) 352-8333
   e-mail:  Tammy.Gipson@WallaceState.edu

   Gail Hyatt, COTA/L
   Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
   (256) 352-8341
   e-mail:  Gail.Hyatt@WallaceState.edu