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Roane State Community College

Occupational Therapy Assistant
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Move Forward. Don't delay your future! Apply now! Register for online or traditional classes.Move Forward. Don't delay your future! Apply now!. Register for online or traditional classes.
Tennessee Reconnect and Promise. Graduating high school seniors can attend tuition-free. Free tuition for adults.Tennessee Reconnect and Promise. Graduating high school seniors can attend tuition-free. Free tuition for adults.
Online degrees available. Choose from seven completely online programs.Online degrees available. Choose from seven completely online programs.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Overview

Application Deadline: April 15, 2022.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program consists of three semesters of academic preparation and one semester of full-time fieldwork education leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The OTA curriculum includes a blend of online and hybrid courses coupled with face-to-face labs. All students are required to travel to the Oak Ridge campus one day per week for labs. Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences are completed in community-based practice settings. Placement decisions are based on factors such as site availability, alignment with program philosophy, and geographic proximity to the student. Fieldwork education may occur in any practice setting in which there is a Clinical Affiliation Agreement between the school and the site. Please refer to the RSCC Catalog for additional information.

Work Settings

Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) may provide services in hospitals, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers, school systems, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and long-term care settings, home health agencies, mental health facilities and community-based programs.

Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for OTAs is expected to grow 28% from 2016-2026. The BLS reported the national average salary for OTAs was $56,070 in 2016. Salaries will vary according to geographical location, practice setting and other factors.

Program Costs

Roane State Tuition & Fees
All tuition and fees are subject to change by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

*Program courses that are taken in an online format are subject to a distance education fee. A Specialized Allied Health Science Fee of $25 per credit hour will be applied to all Allied Health Science courses. See the Tuition and Fees link above.

Books, Supplies, and Additional Program Expenses

The following are approximate costs for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program by semester.

Material

Estimated Cost

Semesters Following OTA Academic Map

CPR Certification - Must be BSL through American Heart Association

$34 (estimated)

1st Summer of OTA Coursework

Immunization Requirements

Cost Varies (Insurance Dependent)

1st Summer of OTA Coursework

Textbook

Cost dependent on point of purchase, publisher, format 

(Some textbooks are listed again in next semester - if you keep textbooks, prices will be lower)

OTA Summer - $0

2nd Fall - $463

2nd Spring - $607

3rd Fall - $515.35

3rd Spring - No New Textbooks

Per Semester

Criminal Background Check

(Fieldwork sites may have their own requirements)

$50.10

1st Summer of OTA Coursework

Drug Screen

(Fieldwork sites may have their own requirements)

$39

1st Summer of OTA Coursework

MRT

1st year - $17.50

2nd year - $7.50

1st Summer of OTA Coursework then annual Renewal

Professional Liability Insurance

$13.95 annually

 

Included in tuition fees every 2nd and 3rd Fall 

In-class projects

$40

Per Semester once Enrolled in OTA Coursework

AOTA Student Membership Fees

$75

2nd Fall Semester

3rd Fall Semester

Practice NBCOT Exam

$30

3rd Spring Semester

Optional NBCOT Study Pack

$75

3rd Spring Semester

State of Tennessee Licensing Fee

$75

3rd Spring Semester

NBCOT Exam Fee

$555

3rd Spring Semester

Total Cost

$2,761.25

 

Approximate total cost for OTA Program following the RSCC OTA Academic Map: $15,571.35

*Other costs: Students assume the cost of transportation, parking, meals, and medical coverage for injury or illness. Fees are subject to change without notice.

Visit the bookstore for book titles and prices.

See the bursar's office for out-of-state tuition and fees and the current catalog for residency requirements.

Credentialing Requirements

Occupational therapy assistant students who successfully complete their academic and fieldwork education requirements will be eligible to sit for the certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Initial certification is a requirement for OTA licensure in most states.

Note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination and obtain a license to practice. Concerned applicants may request an Early Determination Review by the NBCOT.

Location

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is taught from the Oak Ridge Branch Campus utilizing both face-to-face and distance education delivery formats. Students are typically on-campus 2 days per week.

Links

Admission Requirements

Application Deadline: April 15, 2022.

OTA Admissions Information

The application deadline is March 31 each year.

Applications Required for the OTA Program

We are going to have an OTA group advising session via zoom on Monday, March 18th 2pm-3pm. 
 Here is the zoom link:

https://roanestate.zoom.us/j/87085776036

Accreditation and Program Outcomes

Accreditation

The associate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program 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). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Program Outcomes

Graduation Year Admitted Program Completion Percentage (150%)
2021 29 26 90%
2022 28 19 68%
2023 18 13 72%
Totals 75 58 77%

NBCOT Exam Data

Year Passing % within 1 year
2022 88%
2021 100%
2020 100%

Updated January 2024

NBCOT Pass Rate

Faculty & Staff

Brittany N Kilburn
Click above for email address
Program Director
 

Cindy E Ayo
Click above for email address
(865) 354-3000 ext. 2222
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Mariella Akers
Click above for email address
(865) 481-2000 ext .2007
Allied Health Sciences Secretary
Oak Ridge Branch Campus
 

For information regarding the status of your AHS application for the OTA program, please contact:

Health Sciences Admission Advisor
Michael Burtch
(865) 354-3000, ext. 4705
hsnadmissions@roanestate.edu

Graduates

Links for Graduates

Contact: 

Cindy E Ayo • (865) 354-3000 ext. 2222 • Click name for email address

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