Put your compassionate nature and great interpersonal skills to work in a career that is dynamic and creative as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). As an OTA, you may help patients develop or recover the skills they need to perform everyday tasks as you:

Promote health and wellness
Provide ongoing rehabilitation across the lifespan
Work in pediatrics (school-based or outpatient)
Encourage and promote independence across the lifespan
Develop and work in community-based programs

The Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS program is designed to prepare you to function as a professional OTA in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, and school settings under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR).

Graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Successful certification permits the graduate to apply for licensure as required by the State of Illinois. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

What makes MCC's Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS program better than or distinct from similar programs at other institutions?

At MCC, instructors emphasize focus on the community, cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and clinical reasoning in every aspect of the program. MCC's OTA program incorporates technology, evidence-based information, and current trends to provide you with hands-on experiences to assist in the learning process.

What job opportunities are available to someone with an Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS?

This AAS degree prepares you to function as a professional OTA in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, and school settings under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR).

How will MCC's Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS program prepare me for my career or connect me to opportunities?

Gain real-world experience and network in the community as you complete your fieldwork experiences and through application-based curricular activities.

What have graduates gone on to do?

MCC OTA students have been hired by local school districts, skilled nursing facilities, and local children's outpatient clinics throughout the area. Some students have decided to get higher degrees in occupational therapy through OTA to OT bridge programs.

The McHenry County College OTA Program will prepare individuals to function as entry-level certified occupational therapist assistants (OTA). Working in partnership with the occupational therapist and community stakeholders, graduates will successfully plan and implement goal-directed therapeutic occupations uniquely designed to help persons, groups, and populations achieve optimal performance in their daily life roles.

OTA Program Vision Statement

Our vision is to be a transformative occupational therapy assistant program with a focus on an occupation-based curriculum tailored to the unique needs of diverse individuals, groups, and populations, while emphasizing excellence in interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration, clinical reasoning, and community-based learning.

Students will apply a foundational understanding in occupation across interactions with all clients.
Students will promote the importance of occupation-based interventions with clients and external stakeholders.
Clinical Reasoning:
- Students will develop clinical reasoning skills across lifespans and varied contexts.
- Students will display proficiency in the analysis and integration of person, environment, occupation, and performance while fostering a holistic approach to client-centered care.
Clinical Application:
- Students will develop and apply relevant interventions for persons, groups, and populations.
- Students will determine appropriate interventions across diverse contexts and the needs of clients.
Community Engagement:
- Students will foster interprofessional and intraprofessional collaborative relationships to serve clients and the community.
- Students will build connectedness with community needs and establish resources.
Students will develop self-directed learning skills for academic success and professional growth, seek resources, and engage in reflective practices independently.
Students will integrate evidence-based interventions into practice, to critically assess research, apply findings to client needs, and contribute to the delivery of high quality, evidence-informed care.

Semesters to complete assumes students are taking a full-time credit load of 12 credits per semester (the minimum required for federal financial aid).

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Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS