Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Answer: Occupational Therapists (OTs) = are health professionals who evaluate and treat people with injuries, illnesses, and/or disabilities. These professionals help patients by using vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence.¹ Overall, Occupational Therapists play vital roles in helping individuals achieve independence and improve their overall well-being. 

• Occupational Therapists generally work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics.¹
• To enter the profession, Occupational Therapists typically need a master’s degree in occupational therapy.¹
• All states require Occupational Therapists to be licensed.¹

Citations
^{1^ a, b, c, d} Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Occupational Therapists. (Accessed September 27, 2024.) 

Answer: Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) = Are students and graduates of accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant programs who have not yet become certified as Occupational Therapy Assistants or COTAs. All assistants help Occupational Therapists provide treatment, therapy, and procedures to clients while conducting routine tasks.¹ Overall, Occupational Therapy Assistants play vital roles in helping individuals achieve independence and improve their overall well-being. 

Citations
¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides. (Accessed September 27, 2024.)

Answer: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) = Are Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs). This means they have completed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Exam and are registered with the NBCOT. To become a COTA, one must: 

1. Complete an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant educational program;
2. Complete fieldwork. Please refer to the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts catalog and addendum for our published policy on the timely completion of all graduation and fieldwork requirements. The student must complete 16 weeks of Level II fieldwork within six (6) months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. 
3. Sit for and pass a certification exam provided by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure. 
4. Apply for state licensure. A license is necessary to work in all U.S. states. Typically, Occupational Therapy Assistants have earned an associate’s degree from an accredited program and sat for and passed a national certification exam. 

Answer: Occupational Therapy Assistants work alongside Occupational Therapists as integral persons within work, healthcare, behavioral, and educational teams. These professionals help individuals overcome physical, mental, learning, work performance, and emotional challenges to engage in meaningful activities and occupations. 

In their day-to-day work, Occupational Therapy Assistants perform a variety of tasks. They conduct these under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist. Such activities include: 

• Reading patient evaluations and implementing the care plans developed by a supervising Occupational Therapist;
• Collaborating with clients or patients during sessions;
• Educating clients, patients, and family members;
• Attending client and patient meetings;
• Writing daily notes according to work settings.

Answer: Occupational Therapy Assistants generally work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, behavioral clinics, and private practices. They may also specialize in pediatrics, mental health, gerontology, geriatrics, and physical rehabilitation programs. 

Often, these professionals serve a wide range of patients and clients, from newborns, children, and youth with developmental delays, autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, cognitive disorders, and intellectual disabilities.

OTAs may also work with adults recovering from lesions and injuries (cognitive and physical). They also help prepare patients to return to work. Thus, the OTA plays a crucial role in assisting individuals in achieving their goals and improving their quality of life. 

Answer:

1. The first step in becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant is to complete an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant academic program. Typically, such a program takes about two years to complete. Coursework generally includes anatomy, physiology, psychology, pediatrics, mental health, kinesiology, geriatrics, gerontology, and occupational therapy principles and techniques. 
2. The second step is to complete several clinical hours to gain hands-on experience. 
3. The third step is to pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Exam. This exam tests an individual’s knowledge and skills in the field. It is a crucial step toward obtaining national certification and state licensure to practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). 
4. All 50 states in the United States, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam, require Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants to be licensed to provide occupational therapy services. A license grants you the legal privilege to practice occupational therapy in the state in which you are licensed. 

An occupational therapy license differs from the certification earned by passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam. 

Answer: As the demand for healthcare, behavioral care, learning, and return-to-work services has increased, there is a need for skilled professionals. With that, the Occupational Therapy Assistant profession has evolved. Such developments have expanded Occupational Therapy Assistants’ educational programs and increased job opportunities. 

Moreover, occupational therapy has grown from a relatively unknown field to a recognized and respected profession. Additionally, the field has benefited from federal laws and advances in technology and research, allowing practitioners to develop innovative intervention approaches for clients and patients. 

With a growing emphasis on preventative healthcare and holistic treatment, Occupational Therapy Assistants play increasingly crucial roles in helping patients recover from injuries, illnesses, and disabilities. They’ve also paved the way, showing how the vocation supports occupational performance, improvement, and general well-being. 

Answer: We may assist with job placements for students who complete the program. However, we cannot guarantee employment.

Answer: Yes. The program offers General Education and Core courses. There is an opportunity to potentially credit grant per General Education coursework under the decision of the Program Director. See the program director before registering for this course.

Answer: Our program length is 21 months* long. 

* Indicates 84 approved instructional weeks.

Answer: The A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is currently under applicant status and must be granted Candidacy Status, have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its 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). 

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s Telephone Number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA (2682), and its website address is www.acoteonline.org. 

Answer: The program is designed to be offered in a cohort model, and instruction is sequential. One class builds upon the other. Please find more info about the Program Length and Schedule at this link.

Answer: No. The General Education Requirements are included in the program.

Answer: Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts participates in various federal and state student financial assistance programs.

Answer: More information can be provided by contacting the OTA program director and the Admissions Department.

To have information sent to you or a school representative contact you, fill out our online contact form here. Or call us at 1-877-GURNICK.

The first step is to submit an online application.

Applicants should follow the general requirements for entry into Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. These can be found at General Requirements for Admissions link here  and program specific requirements link here.

Please find more info about the Foreign Transcript/Diploma Evaluations process here.

The deadline for applications is one week before the online orientation and one week before the semester’s official start date. Please see an advisor for the current academic calendar.

Yes. All applicants, regardless of degree or background, must pass the entrance exam before admission into the program.

The program length is 21 months* or 1,770 clock hours, or 112 quarter credit hours. Clinical work is 800 hours. You may learn about the B.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Length and Schedule.

*84 Indicates Approved Instructional Weeks

The OTA program requires Online Didactic, Campus Labs, and On-Ground Clinical Training.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts holds national institutional accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). ABHES accreditation does not include continuing education courses.

Additionally, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act (CPPEA) of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. CPPEA governs the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Yes. The A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant program is a full-time program.

To review the scheduled breaks during the school year. Please see Gurnick Academy’s Addendum.

Please find more info about remediation in our Catalog and Addendum.

No. Each student will complete clinical externships, which will be provided.

No. All externships are unpaid positions.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts participates in various federal and state student financial assistance programs.

This is a full-time program and requires a commitment to the profession. Students may be able to work during the program depending on individual needs or preferences. However, this depends on the type of work, each student’s needs, work-study balances, and life schedules and commitments. 

There are some guidelines for study/life balance. The Hechinger Report cites a 2018 Georgetown University study regarding students working while enrolled in higher education.

According to the report, “Students who worked had lower grades and were more likely to drop out” than those who did not work during their college tenure. The report states, “The risk was exceptionally high for low-income students.

Other studies seem to concur with this report. The conventional advice to students is to work under 15 hours a week if they want to finish their degrees,” says the article.¹

Citations
¹ Barshay, Jill. “Working in College Interferes With Studies But Boosts Adult Earnings.” The Hechinger Report. June 17, 2019. (Accessed. June 21, 2022.)

The A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant program is an Associate of Science degree program.

We have a dedicated Career Services department that may assist with job placements for all students who complete the program. However, we cannot guarantee employment.

Overall employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is projected to grow 21 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 7,800 openings for occupational therapy assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.¹

Citation:
¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Therapy Assistant. (Accessed April 23, 2025.)

According to Gurnick Academy Career Services, typical interview questions include some of the following: 

• Tell me a little about yourself.
• Why do you want to work for us?
• What is your long-term career goal? How does this position fit into your career path?
• What would your last employer say about you?
• How would your coworkers/rotation team members describe your work style or work habits?
• What did you learn from your past work experiences, and how is it relevant to this position/facility? What transferable skills do you feel will assist you in this position? 
• Are you able to work on several assignments at once? How do you handle multitasking/organization?
• Describe a time when you were able to overcome a communication barrier.
• What kind of people do you find it most challenging to work with, and how do you work with them?
• Why should we hire you?
• What questions would you ask employers?

According to the website, All 50 Medical, two complaints within the vocation seem to be that some find it physically demanding. “You are an assistant. Because you aren’t the boss, you don’t get to make decisions about the patient’s plan of care or educate the families extensively.”¹

Citations
¹ Bass, Pat. “Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs | All 50 Medical.” All 50 Medical. (Accessed April 23, 2025.)

While workplaces, geographical regions, and employers can vary by many factors, according to the O*Net Online, the California median annual pay for Occupational Therapy Assistants is $80,360^1* 

*Compensation may vary depending on geographic expectations, costs of living, experience, qualifications, acumen, and other factors.

Citations
¹ “Occupational Therapy Assistants. Wwww.onetonline.org (Accessed June 16, 2022.)