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Occupational Therapy Assisting

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses

Occupations are the meaningful activities of our daily lives, in areas of self-care, work, and leisure. The activities we identify as occupations in our lives are based on our values, beliefs, needs, and desires. Some occupations are necessary for day-to-day functioning, such a bathing and cooking. Other occupations are tasks related to our roles, such as parent, child, spouse, student, worker, or community volunteer. Physical, cognitive, and social skills are required to perform these occupations. Occupational therapy aims to help individuals and groups maximize these needed skills and abilities to participate in meaningful and purposeful daily activities. Occupational therapy helps people with living life to its fullest.

The Sacramento City College OTA program is cohort-based. Students are expected to advance through the required curriculum each semester in the established sequence. The Allied Health and OTA courses are offered Monday through Thursday in the evening and on Saturdays, except for clinical fieldwork, which is scheduled during weekday business hours.

Degrees Offered

A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant

Dean Paulette Lopez
Program Coordinator Ada Boone Hoerl
Phone (916) 558-2271
Email SCC-OTAInfo@scc.losrios.edu

Associate Degree

A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate in Science degree provides students with an understanding of human occupations as the valued and necessary skills of daily living across the lifespan. Injury, illness, disease, and developmental delays can prevent optimal performance in daily life tasks. Students will learn methods and interventions to establish or restore functioning with a range of populations with physical and behavioral conditions in a variety of settings. Also addressed are the essential professional skills of therapeutic communication, activity analysis and adaptation, assistive technology, client and caregiver education, cultural humility and health practices, and occupational justice, among many others. Through a rigorous learning program, students are provided training through lectures, labs, and fieldwork experiences. A significant portion of the program is offered through synchronous distance education when appropriate. With successful degree completion, students are eligible to pursue national certification and state licensure. To practice as an entry-level occupational therapy assistant, under the supervision of an occupational therapist, requires certification and licensure. Practice with an Associate of Science degree provides certified and licensed graduates with gainful employment with competitive salaries and job opportunities and does not require additional degrees unless desired.

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
Courses Required for Program Application in addition to the Graduation Requirements listed in the Enrollment Limitations:
AH 106	Communication for Allied Health Careers	2
AH 301	Health Care in a Multicultural Society (3)	3
or SOC 300	Introductory Sociology (3)
or ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)
or ANTH 481	Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
AH 311	Medical Language for Health-Care Providers	3
BIOL 100	Introduction to Concepts of Human Anatomy and Physiology (3)	3 - 10¹
or [ BIOL 430	Anatomy and Physiology (5)
and BIOL 431 ]	Anatomy and Physiology (5)
LIBR 307	Medical Information Resources	1
NUTRI 300	Nutrition (3)	3
or NUTRI 480	Nutrition Honors (3)
or HEED 300	Health Science (3)
OTA 100	Introduction to Occupational Therapy	1
PSYC C1000	Introduction to Psychology (3)	3²
or PSYC 480	Honors General Principles (3)
PSYC 370	Human Development: A Life Span (3)	3
or EDUC 300	Human Development: A Life Span (3)
Semester 1 (Spring):
OTA 123	Fundamentals of Clinical Documentation	1.5
OTA 131	Occupational Therapy Theory and Process in Psychosocial Dysfunction	5
OTA 132	Introduction to Clinical Practice in Psychosocial Dysfunction (1)	1
or OTA 122	Introduction to Clinical Practice in Non-Traditional Settings (1)
OTA 150	Occupational Therapy Process and Practice in Developmental Disabilities and Pediatric Conditions	2.5
Semester 2 (Summer):
OTA 110	Functional Biomechanics for the OTA	3
OTA 111	Functional Biomechanics Lab for the OTA	1
OTA 152	Introduction to Clinical Practice in Pediatric Conditions	0.5
Semester 3 (Fall):
OTA 140	Theoretical Foundations of Physical Dysfunction	3
OTA 141	Occupational Therapy Process in Physical Dysfunction	4
OTA 142	Introduction to Clinical Practice in Physical Dysfunction (1)	1
or OTA 122	Introduction to Clinical Practice in Non-Traditional Settings (1)
Semester 4 (Spring):
OTA 120	Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy Assistant Practice	2.5
OTA 160	Fieldwork Level II First Rotation for the Occupational Therapy Assistant	6
OTA 162	Practice Skills for First Rotation OTA Level II Fieldwork	0.5
Semester 5 (Summer):
OTA 121	Contemporary Models of Practice in Occupational Therapy	1
OTA 163	Practice Skills for Second Rotation OTA Level II Fieldwork	0.5
Semester 6 (Fall):
OTA 161	Fieldwork Level II Second Rotation for the Occupational Therapy Assistant	6
Total Units:		61 - 68

¹Ten year recency required.

²Ten year recency required.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See SCC graduation requirements.

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

Interested students should attend a program information meeting prior to applying to the program.
Students may seek application assistance through the Health Professions Information, Application & Program Assistance (https://scc.losrios.edu/academics/health-professions-assistance).
Official transcripts for coursework outside of the Los Rios Community College District must be on file with the SCC Admissions & Records office at the time of application.
Students must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. Courses passed with a grade "P" or "CR" will be calculated into the student's GPA as a "C" grade.
Students must be eligible for graduation except for OTA coursework but may apply with in-progress coursework during the semester of application with proof of enrollment.
Completion of courses required for the program: AH 106, AH 311, AH 301 or ANTH 310 or SOC 300, BIOL 100 or BIOL 430 and BIOL 431, LIBR 307, NUTRI 300 or HEED 300, OTA 100, PSYC C1000 or PSYC 480, and PSYC 370 or EDUC 300 with grades of “C” or better. BIOL 100 or BIOL 430 and BIOL 431 and PSYC 300 or equivalent courses must have been completed within the last 10 years at the time of application to and/or the time of enrollment into the program.
Completion of courses required for the program: AH 106, AH 311, AH 301 or ANTH 310 or SOC 300, BIOL 100 or BIOL 430 and BIOL 431, LIBR 307, NUTRI 300 or HEED 300, OTA 100, PSYC C1000 or PSYC 480, and PSYC 370 or EDUC 300 with grades of “C” or better. Completion of a local General Education pattern. See SCC graduation requirements.

Enrollment Process

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:

Applications are accepted twice a year for one new cohort of 30 students entering each January.
Qualified applicants from each application period are added to the program waitlist with the order determined by random selection.
Students are notified of their projected enrollment date at the completion of each application period.
If an earlier waitlist seat opens, the next eligible waitlist student will be offered the option to enroll early or retain their original enrollment date.
Students on the waitlist may defer enrollment for one enrollment cycle.
Students must maintain recency of BIOL 100 and PSYC C1000 within the last 10 years at both the time of application and program entry.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

ensure the safety of self and others during all professional activities, in compliance with all safety regulations and required documentation.
comply with all federal, state, and facility practice regulations and abide by professional codes of ethics.
articulate the profession’s values, beliefs, and the distinct nature of occupation, and its impact on health, wellness, and engagement in necessary and meaningful daily life activities.
communicate clearly and effectively with clients and their care partners, with consideration for psychosocial factors, health literacy, diversity factors, and cultural differences.
report accurate client status to supervising occupational therapist, client’s care partners, the inter-professional team, other relevant parties, and in written documentation.
demonstrate therapeutic use of self as a foundation of establishing effective therapeutic relationships with clients and their care partners.
administer assigned assessments using correct procedures and protocols, accurately reporting client’s expressed needs, and demonstrated occupational performance.
implement client-centered and occupation-based intervention plans, selecting effective therapeutic activities appropriate for the individual and the established goals.
modify therapeutic tasks and/or environments to maximize the client’s performance.
participate in and provide relevant recommendations for the discharge process, and related client and care partner education, and equipment needs.
articulate a clear and logical rationale for clinical decision-making, based on scope of practice, client status, treatment goals, professional evidence, and other relevant factors.
interact with members of an intra- and inter-professional care team, demonstrating knowledge of differences in scope of practice, levels of training, and professional roles.
demonstrate accurate billing and productivity procedures for occupational therapy services, in compliance with rules for federal, state, third party, and private payers.
demonstrate professional work behaviors and attitudes, and the ability to receive and apply constructive feedback for professional growth.
understand systems, legislation, regulations, and compliance requirements for certification, licensing, and continuing education.

Career Information

Occupational therapy assistants (OTA) work in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, school systems, hand therapy clinics, community-based care programs, psychiatric hospitals, private practice outpatient clinics, education, and emerging practice areas. Under the supervision of an occupational therapist, the OTA may provide direct client care, training, and education; physical and cognitive rehabilitation; functional and community mobility training; fall prevention; contribute to home modification; adaptive equipment training; early intervention services; health, wellness, and prevention; and social/emotional skills training.

Occupational Therapy Assisting (OTA) Courses

OTA 100 Introduction to Occupational Therapy

Units:1
Hours:18 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

The student is introduced to human occupation as a fundamental aspect of and for participation in everyday life activities. The course addresses how health, wellness, disease, and disability affect engagement in daily life tasks across the lifespan and how occupational therapy (OT) interventions are used to maximize performance in these activities. The role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant is defined in partnership with that of Occupational Therapists. Historical aspects of OT are presented as well as current and emerging practice settings and populations. Professional activities, requirements, ethics, and behaviors are also discussed. Students will complete a virtual clinical observation activity. This course has been designed to provide the student with information needed to determine if OT is a suitable career option.

OTA 110 Functional Biomechanics for the OTA

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:OTA 150 and 152 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:OTA 111
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

In this course the occupational therapy assistant student will explore components of human movement, including joint structure and function, muscle action, motor and reflex development, and balance and sensory influence. In addition to the body structures involved in movement, students will examine the motor and process skills and sensory and neuromusculoskeletal client factors required for engagement in occupation across the lifespan. Students will complete a formal biomechanical activity analysis as it relates to occupational performance. Professional reasoning for the collection and use of functional performance data will also be addressed.

OTA 111 Functional Biomechanics Lab for the OTA

Units:1
Hours:54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:OTA 150 and 152 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:OTA 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

In this course the occupational therapy assistant student will develop skills in assessment of and intervention for impairments in biomechanical movement that limits occupational performance. Through hands-on laboratory activities students will experience a range of scenarios in which they can apply these skills as a foundation for learning more advanced practice skills in patient care. Students will use an analysis and problem-solving approach to functional human movement.

OTA 120 Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy Assistant Practice

Units:2.5
Hours:45 hours LEC
Prerequisite:LIBR 307 and OTA 123 with grades of "C" or better
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

In this course the occupational therapy assistant student will gain knowledge of the various contexts and parameters in which occupational therapy services are provided. The role of practitioners as professionals will be examined from a variety of perspectives, including ethics, leadership, policy, and advocacy. The use of evidence to inform and improve practice as a fundamental skill is addressed. Business aspects of practice and quality management are also included.

OTA 121 Contemporary Models of Practice in Occupational Therapy

Units:1
Hours:18 hours LEC
Prerequisite:OTA 120 with a grade of "C" or better
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

This course will provide the occupational therapy assistant student with a foundation of knowledge to support practice in community-based, non-traditional, and evolving practice settings. The role of occupational therapy in developing service provision, in conjunction with existing disciplines, is examined. Socio-cultural, diversity, inclusion, access, and advocacy will be highlighted as key variables in program design. Funding sources for non-traditional services will also be addressed.

OTA 122 Introduction to Clinical Practice in Non-Traditional Settings

Units:1
Hours:54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:AH 106 with a grade of "C" or better
Enrollment Limitation:Students must have completed all degree and college graduation requirements with the exception of OTA courses and be officially accepted into an OTA program cohort.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

Through Level I fieldwork experiences, students will be introduced to occupational therapy (OT) process for individuals, groups, and populations in non-traditional and/or evolving practice settings for those with conditions that limit or affect engagement in occupations. Students will have the opportunity to observe and interact with various types of clients, assessments, and interventions, and team members, accessed through supervised in-person pediatric settings. Students will complete 40 hours of in-person fieldwork in clinical environments and attend 14 hours of synchronous online discussion groups. Students must complete on-boarding requirements established by the program and facility. Students are responsible for their own transportation to/from the fieldwork site.

OTA 123 Fundamentals of Clinical Documentation

Units:1.5
Hours:27 hours LEC
Prerequisite:See enrollment limitations
Enrollment Limitation:Students must have completed all degree and college graduation requirements with the exception of core OTA courses and be officially accepted into an OTA program cohort.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

In this course the occupational therapy assistant student will develop basic skills in clinical documentation. Students will be introduced to various documentation formats and methods, both paper and digital, as required by different treatment settings and reimbursement systems. Students will be required to distinguish between subjective and objective reporting and the development of a clinical opinion of client performance and a plan based on intervention session performance. Reimbursement requirements for and legal aspects of documentation will be examined. Professional and medical terminology, as well as assessment data reporting will also be addressed.

OTA 124 Introduction to Electronic Documentation for the OTA

Units:0.5
Hours:9 hours LEC
Prerequisite:OTA 120 and 123 with grades of "C" or better
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

The use of electronic medical record (EMR) is an expected skill in health care practice as service providers establish compliance with federal mandates for medical information management. This course will provide the occupational therapy assistant student with an introduction to EMR formats, methods, reimbursement requirements, and legal issues. This course prepares the student for learning the basics of the EMR in preparation for Level II fieldwork.

OTA 131 Occupational Therapy Theory and Process in Psychosocial Dysfunction

Units:5
Hours:72 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:See enrollment limitations
Corequisite:OTA 132
Enrollment Limitation:Students must have completed all degree and college graduation requirements with the exception of OTA courses and be officially accepted into an OTA program cohort.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

This course examines the role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) when working with individuals who have mental health conditions, cognitive impairments, trauma histories, and/or disregulated behaviors in a range of settings and contexts. Students will explore areas of occupation, performance skills, performance patterns, contexts, activity demands, and client factors that affect engagement in occupation throughout the lifespan and how these are influenced by psychosocial factors. Occupational Therapy (OT) process will be addressed to include an understanding of an occupational profile, analysis of occupational performance, intervention planning and implementation, and methods to elicit therapeutic outcomes. Students will also advance their skills in activity analysis and the use of professional literature and resources, as well as their awareness of the theoretical models that influence clinical decision-making.

OTA 132 Introduction to Clinical Practice in Psychosocial Dysfunction

Units:1
Hours:54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:See enrollment limitations
Corequisite:OTA 131
Enrollment Limitation:Students must have completed all degree and college graduation requirements with the exception of OTA courses and be officially accepted into an OTA program cohort.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

Through virtual Level I fieldwork experiences, students will be introduced to occupational therapy (OT) process for individuals, groups, and populations with conditions in psychosocial dysfunction affecting occupational performance in various stages of late adolescence and adulthood. Students will have the opportunity to observe and interact with various types of clients, assessments, and interventions, and team members, all accessed in virtual environments. Students will complete 40 hours of asynchronous fieldwork activities accessed through online simulation and will attend 14 hours of synchronous online discussion groups to address OT methods and scope of practice.

OTA 140 Theoretical Foundations of Physical Dysfunction

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:OTA 110 and 111 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:OTA 141 and 142
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

This course introduces the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) student to neurological, orthopedic, and medical conditions that result in physical disabilities. Students will explore areas of occupation, performance skills, performance patterns, contexts, activity demands, and client factors that affect engagement in occupation throughout the lifespan and how these are influenced by physical dysfunction. Students will also develop skills in the use of professional literature and resources, as well as an awareness of the theoretical models that influence clinical decision-making.

OTA 141 Occupational Therapy Process in Physical Dysfunction

Units:4
Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:OTA 110 and 111 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:OTA 140 and 142
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

This course examines the role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) when working with individuals who have orthopedic, neurological, or medical conditions. Occupational Therapy (OT) process will be addressed, to include an understanding of an occupational profile, analysis of occupational performance, as well as intervention planning, implementation, and approaches. Students will also develop skills in selected assessments, clinical documentation, and the selection and use of therapeutic activities and media to elicit engagement in occupation and therapeutic outcomes.

OTA 142 Introduction to Clinical Practice in Physical Dysfunction

Units:1
Hours:54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:OTA 110 and 111 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:OTA 140 and 141
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

Through Level I fieldwork experiences, students will be introduced to occupational therapy (OT) process for individuals, groups, and populations with conditions in physical dysfunction affecting occupational performance in various stages of adulthood. Emphasis will be on development of skills required of an OT practitioner: safety awareness; observation of a client's occupational performance skills and deficits; identification of appropriate therapeutic interventions; intra- and inter-professional collaboration; and professional behaviors. Students will complete 40 hours of asynchronous fieldwork in simulated virtual clinical environments and attend 14 hours of synchronous online discussion groups.

OTA 150 Occupational Therapy Process and Practice in Developmental Disabilities and Pediatric Conditions

Units:2.5
Hours:36 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
Prerequisite:See enrollment limitations
Enrollment Limitation:Students must have completed all degree and college graduation requirements with the exception of OTA courses and be officially accepted into an OTA program cohort.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

This course introduces the occupational therapy assistant student to developmental disabilities and common conditions of children and adolescents who are referred for occupational therapy treatment. The scope of occupational therapy, the types of practice settings, and the role of the occupational therapy assistant in pediatrics and developmental disabilities are also covered. Common frames of references, evaluation tools and procedures, and intervention methods used in pediatric occupational therapy practice are presented.

OTA 152 Introduction to Clinical Practice in Pediatric Conditions

Units:0.5
Hours:27 hours LAB
Prerequisite:OTA 150 with a grade of "C" or better
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

Through Level I fieldwork experiences, students will be introduced to occupational therapy (OT) process for individuals, groups, and populations with pediatric conditions and developmental disabilities affecting occupational performance in various stages of early human development. Students will have the opportunity to observe and interact with various types of clients, assessments, and interventions, and team members, accessed through supervised in-person pediatric settings. Students will complete 25 hours of in-person fieldwork in clinical environments and attend 2 hours of synchronous online discussion groups. Note: this course may be converted to 100% online using virtual environments should conditions warrant.

OTA 160 Fieldwork Level II First Rotation for the Occupational Therapy Assistant

Units:6
Hours:324 hours LAB
Prerequisite:OTA 131 and 132 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:OTA 162
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

This course concentrates on the clinical application of knowledge and skills for the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) student. Under supervision and guidance, the student will complete 320 hours of direct client care, working with those who have physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and/or developmental impairments across the lifespan. To be trained as generalists as required by the program’s accreditation, students must experience two distinctly different settings and populations through their Level II fieldwork experiences in OTA 160 and OTA 161. Fieldwork sites are assigned by the program’s academic fieldwork coordinator (AFWC). On-boarding requirements vary from one facility to another and are provided to the student from the AFWC. Students are required to complete these requirements promptly to remain eligible for the offered placement. Proof of automobile insurance may be required if driving is involved as part of the clinical experience. Students are responsible for their own housing and transportation to/from the fieldwork site. The program handbook provides additional guidance for eligible students. No part of Level I fieldwork can count towards the required 320 hours for Level II fieldwork. This course is graded Pass/No Pass.

OTA 161 Fieldwork Level II Second Rotation for the Occupational Therapy Assistant

Units:6
Hours:324 hours LAB
Prerequisite:OTA 121, 141, and 142 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:OTA 163
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

OTA 162 Practice Skills for First Rotation OTA Level II Fieldwork

Units:0.5
Hours:27 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Corequisite:OTA 160
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

This course, taken in conjunction with OTA 160, provides the OTA student with structured activities to support success in Level II fieldwork and preparation for entry-level practice. Students use a project-based approach to advance skills in clinical and professional expectations that go beyond direct client care. This course provides real-world scenarios to aid the student in effective reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving. National certification exam and licensing preparation information is also included.

OTA 163 Practice Skills for Second Rotation OTA Level II Fieldwork

Units:0.5
Hours:27 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Corequisite:OTA 161
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

This course, taken in conjunction with OTA 161, provides the OTA student with structured activities to support success in Level II fieldwork and preparation for entry-level practice. Students use a project-based approach to advance skills in clinical and professional expectations that go beyond direct client care. This course provides real-world scenarios to aid the student in effective reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving. National certification exam and licensing preparation information is also included.

OTA 295 Independent Studies in Occupational Therapy Assistant

Units:1 - 3
Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Enrollment Limitation:Only students officially enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, and in good-standing, are eligible for this course.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

This course allows an individual student enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program to study, research, and participate in clinical or community activities beyond the scope of regularly offered classes, pursuant to an agreement among the college, faculty members, and the student.

OTA 299 Experimental Offering in Occupational Therapy Assistant

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2025

This is the experimental courses description.