The Medical Education and Training Campus (METC)
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Training Program
Course Description:
The METC Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program is a two-phased, field of study with two military services designed to meet the standards of program approval established by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination and qualify for the designation, Certified OTA.
Certification and licensure are mechanisms separate and unrelated to graduation. Phase 1 provides a 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.
The OTA student learns to assist Occupational Therapists in data gathering and treatment planning and implementation within the theoretical framework of occupational behavior/performance.
They also assist in providing health maintenance services to decrease effects of physical/mental disabilities and promote physical fitness/wellness of 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 I (Level 1 observation) and Fieldwork Experience (Level 2 practical experience).
Phase 2 consists of a continuation of written and oral assignments as well as application (hands-on) of skills learned in phase 1.
Mission
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To train the most knowledgeable, clinically proficient, and professionally sound occupational therapy assistants who are ready to support DOD
mission success world-wide.
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Vision
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To maintain distinction as a nationally top-ranked occupational therapy assistant academic program. |
Located in
Fort Sam Houston, TX, this program is the sole Department of Defense sponsored OTA school for eligible enlisted Army, Army Reserve, and Navy students.
Three training iterations are delivered each year for up to 20 students per class through a comprehensive 17-week Phase I (didactic classroom-based training) and 16-week Phase II (fieldwork) curriculum.
Graduates are qualified to challenge the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and earn distinction as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
Program Accreditation Status:
10 year Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) accreditation certified from academic year 2009/2010 to 2019/2020
ACOTE Contact Information:
AOTA Accreditation Department
4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814-3425
Phone: 301-652-6611 x 2914
E-mail: www.aota.org
Results of National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination
| Year |
# Graduates |
# First Time
Test Takers |
# First Time
Test Takers
Who Passed |
% Pass Rate |
| 2009 |
22 |
19 |
17 |
89% |
| 2010 |
17 |
9 |
8 |
89% |
| 2011 |
28 |
12 |
12 |
100% |
| Total 3 Year |
67 |
40 |
37 |
93% |
|
Contact
Address
METC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
3488 Garden Ave
Building 1364 Room 4-424
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
