Program Overview
Occupational therapists help people of all ages gain skills needed to take part in meaningful daily activities.  Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.  Skills may include working with children on handwriting; redeveloping dressing and/or cooking skills with adults; or working to rehabilitate arm function following a stroke. 

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA’s) work in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient programs.  They are part of the team of professionals, including working with occupational therapists. 

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at EHOVE Career Center prepares the student as an occupational therapy assistant and will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree through Lorain County Community College.  Upon successful completing of the program the student is eligible to sit for the national certification exam to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). 

The OTA Program is a 24 month program which includes 16 weeks of full-time field work in two different settings at the end of the program.  The program requires coursework in Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, Sociology and others; in addition to the OT courses. 

Admission to the program is competitive with the program accepting 25 students each year. 

Admission requirements include: 

• Application to LCCC AND to EHOVE Career Center OTA Program (with high school diploma or GED).  Application fee to EHOVE unless taking ALHN 195. 
• 18 years of age or older 
• COMPASS testing as needed for Math and/or English
• Observation time in occupational therapy settings with professional behavior forms completed OR completion of ALHN 195, "Career Explorations in Occupational Therapy" 
• Pass a criminal background check (BCI)
• 2.5 cumulative GPA

Students must be eligible to take Statistics (MTHM 168) and College Composition I (ENGL 161) by start of the first semester.

Applying to the Program
Interested students may contact the Adult Education office at (419) 499-4663 ext 373 for information. For specific information about courses, waivers, transfers, or substitutions etc., call the O.T. department at (419) 499-5283.

Financial Aid
Requested through LCCC, a full spectrum of Financial Aid services are available. For more information call (440) 366-4034.

What to Expect

• OT Theory
  The study of the OT principles, OT history, OT philosophy, psychosocial and developmental dysfunctions, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology.
• OT Practice
  Learning techniques for treatments taking into account the patient's condition, development and/or psychosocial status. 
• OT Fieldwork
  Fieldwork occurs in traditional and/or emerging settings. Three Level 1 experiences are required during the classroom portion of the program. Two 8-week (total 16 weeks) full-time level 2 fieldworks are completed during the final semester of the program.

Accreditation
The EHOVE Career Center/Lorain County Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA. 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). 

About the Lorain County Community College and the EHOVE Collaboration
Lorain County Community College (LCCC) is partnering with EHOVE Career Center to offer the A.A.S. in Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

EHOVE Career Center is a renowned career technical school in Milan Township. The adult center facility draws students from a variety of locales in Erie, Huron, and Ottawa counties. Situated at a convenient location, EHOVE offers ease of access and modern and well-maintained facilities.

The center is committed to excellence in career and academic preparations. EHOVE serves area residents with a comprehensive student-support program and are a valued partner within the educational and economic systems of the community. EHOVE collaborates with higher educational institutions to create pathways for its student to earn degrees in high demand careers. LCCC is one of those partners that can advance the skills and knowledge needed to meet the educational needs of exciting and challenging careers.

To get started, contact

EHOVE Adult Career Center
419-499-4663, ext. 280, or
419-627-9665, ext. 280, or
866-256-9707, ext. 280
Fax: 419-499-5391
http://www.ehove.net/
316 W. Mason Road, Milan, Ohio 44846