The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program is an introduction to the delivery of occupational therapy care. Student learns to assist Occupational Therapists in data gathering, treatment planning and implementation within the theoretical framework of occupational behavior/performance. They assist in providing health maintenance services to decrease effects of physical/mental disabilities and promote physical fitness/wellness of patients. The instructional design of this program’s courses is group-lock step. The OTA program is a consolidated program with two military services that has a two phase, field of study schedule. Resident training is first conducted at the METC and then the student transitions to clinical training that is conducted at military and/or civilian medical treatment facilities (MTF). Upon initial entry to METC, students are provided formal education and training that develops them into entry-level Occupational Therapy Specialists/Assistants within fixed and deployable medical facilities. Students will learn the occupational therapy mission and scope of practice by training on the general knowledge of physical and behavioral sciences; a working knowledge of the principles, concepts, and skills utilized to assist the occupational therapist in the implementation of remedial health maintenance and prevention programs for psychiatric as well as physical disability patients. Major areas of instruction are: fundamentals of practice, psychology, human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, orthopedics, rehabilitation, occupational therapy treatment medias, clinical reasoning, fieldwork experience 1 (level 1 observation) and fieldwork experience (level 2 practical experience). Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to: lecture, demonstration, online materials, simulations, laboratory practice, and practical exercises. Quality control and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the program. Clinical training provides students with clinical knowledge and hands-on experiential training which consists of clinical practicum in a MTF. The program prepares the student to exercise judgment and accept responsibility in performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the care of patients. Training consists of a continuation of written and oral assignments as well as application (hands-on) of skills learned in Phase I. The specific nature of this program is to prepare Occupational Therapy Specialist/Assistant students to practice as entry-level Occupational Therapy Specialists/Assistants. Training will include, but is not limited to: hospital inpatient/outpatient occupational therapy treatments, assisting skilled nursing staff in an inpatient rehabilitation physical therapy facility setting, orthopedic/hand therapy, and mental/behavioral health rehabilitation settings while utilizing Occupational Therapy Department facilities at MTFs. Proficiency advancement in clinical applications is determined by the program director and clinical advisor/coordinator on a case-by-case basis.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) course provides a basic knowledge of OTA fundamentals, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; clinical evaluation; treatment interventions; and clinical reasoning. Training objectives are achieved through lecture, group activities, demonstration, hands-on instruction, clinical observation, clinical experience, and computer-based or blended learning options. Performance evaluations and computerized tests are used to assess students’ knowledge and skills development. Upon satisfactory completion of both phases of training, graduates are awarded the following skills/job identifiers: Army Military Occupational Specialty Code (68L10); or Navy Enlisted Classification Code (L21A). This METC course is available to United States Army, United States Navy, and foreign military personnel. Phase I training consists of 18 weeks and two days of training for Army; and 17 weeks and two days of training for Navy, conducted at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This training prepares students to become entry level OTAs who will assist occupational therapists to provide rehabilitative services to military beneficiaries. The didactic training is conducted primarily in classrooms and laboratories; however, opportunities are provided for students to observe OTA service delivery in local clinical settings (Fieldwork Level 1). Army students attend Phase II (Fieldwork Level II) clinical training for an additional 16 weeks at a military medical treatment facility in the Military Health System. Navy students attend Phase II (Fieldwork Level II) clinical training for an additional 16 weeks in San Antonio-area military and civilian healthcare facilities with whom METC has an official Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
Occupational Therapist
