OTA 100 - Ch. 6 Ed. Prep and Certif. Flashcards
Accreditation
Means minimal educational standards recommended by profession have been met and school has received formal approval by ACOTE. Ensures graduates are qualified to take national exam.
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
ACOTE; part of AOTA that regulates entry-level education for OT and OTA programs in US; Reviewed/revised every 5 years; Educ. programs must show compliance to be accredited.
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
OTA that has the qualifications to be an entry-level practitioner; shows passing of NBCOT exam.
*NOTE: 12 CEUs (cont. ed) required per year to maintain NBCOT certification.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
OTD; degree given to students who have a baccalaureate or master’s degree in another discipline; educates practitioners to contribute to research, evaluation and evidence-based practice; Also called Clinical Doctorate degree.
Level II Fieldwork
Hands-on clinical training designed to provide students with in-depth experiences in delivering OT services with supervision. Must complete full-time Level II fieldwork minimum 24 weeks for OT, 16 weeks for OTA. After completion, students are ready to function as entry-level practitioners.
Service Competency
OT and OTA performing skill in the same way or obtaining the same result when measuring a client’s performance. (Ex.: OTA achieves service competency when, for example, OT sees that OTA gets same assessment findings on her own. Builds trust in consistency between them.)
Licensure Laws
Provide legal definition of OT and domain of OT practice that differentiates it from other professions. OTs must stay up-to-date and advocate on lic laws in their state.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
15 member board of directors composed of 8 OT practitioners and 7 public members. Functions independently in all aspects of initial certification. Provides exam to become certified after completion of accredited OT/OTA education program.
Registration
Began in 1931, AOTA designated those with professional training and 1 year of experience as OTRs.
Supervision as per CBOT (CA Board of OT)
“Supervision of an OTA” means that the OT shall at all times be responsible for all OT services provided to the client. The OT formulates/documents each client’s record, with his or her signature, the goals and plan for that client, and shall make sure that the OTA assigned to that client functions under appropriate supervision. OT conducts at least weekly review/inspection of OT services by the OTA.
• The supervising OT must follow progress of each client, provide direct care to the client, and to assure that the OTA does not function autonomously.
• An OT shall not supervise more OTAs, at any one time, than can be appropriately supervised in the opinion of the board. Three OTAs shall be the maximum supervised by an OT at any one time, but the board may permit a greater number. In no case shall OTAs exceed twice the number of OTs employed by a facility at any one time.
Terry Brittell OTA/OT Partnership Award
To recognize an OTA and an OT, who, through their collaborative efforts to promote the profession of OT, exemplify the professional partnership.
Levels of Supervision
- Direct/Continuous = in immediate area at all times; for student, limited permit holder or aides
- Close = daily, direct contact at work site
- Routine = face-to-face at least every 2 weeks at work site; interim supervision thru telecommunication
- General = initial direct contact at least once/month; interim supervision as needed by telecommunication
Non-Entry Level Roles of OTA
- Educator to consumers
- Educator to peers
- Fieldwork educator
- Supervisor
- Administrator
- Consultant
- Dept. Manager
- Academic fieldwork coordinator
- OTA program director
OTR vs OT vs OTA vs OT aide
OTR = took exam, NBCOT member, no state license
OT = finished school, no exam, NBCOT or license yet
OTA = finished school, no exam, NBCOT or license yet
OT Aide = no specialized training, receive on-the-job training
Level I Fieldwork
Completed concurrently with school; observation and participation in aspects of OT process. Learn from practitioners and observation/engagement. Student does NOT have to be supervised by OT personnel.
