Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is new to Hawkeye and is currently under development. The program is not accepting or enrolling new students at this time.

Occupational Therapy Assistants provide rehabilitative services to improve the patients' ability to participate in activities of daily living to increase their quality of life. Working in collaboration with an Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistants help people with activities and exercises and monitor those activities to assure safety, correct movement, and provide encouragement.

Due to the nature of the work environment and the physical exertion often required to assist patients, you will need to have a moderate degree of strength. For example, you will need to be able to lift patients, kneel, stoop, and stand for long periods of time.

Graduates can expect job prospects to be very good. The field is expected to grow 25% through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics. The figures are based on the continued rise in individuals with disabilities or limited function and a growing elderly population that is vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions requiring therapeutic services.

You'll Learn...

• delivery models and systems used where occupational therapy is currently practiced and where it is emerging as a service.
• entry-level competence in the field.
• how to maintain a philosophy of being a lifelong learner and keeping current with best practice.
• the ethical standards of the profession and understand the distinct roles and responsibilities of the therapist and the assistant in the supervisory process.

Award - AAS