{"id":22,"date":"2019-06-13T13:58:26","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T13:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/fall-2019-volume-1-issue-36\/story-no-7-occupational-therapy-assistants-stay-on-toes-to-help-patients-achieve-independence\/"},"modified":"2019-08-09T21:59:41","modified_gmt":"2019-08-09T21:59:41","slug":"occupational-therapy-assistants-stay-on-toes-to-help-patients-achieve-independence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/fall-2019-volume-1-issue-36\/occupational-therapy-assistants-stay-on-toes-to-help-patients-achieve-independence\/","title":{"rendered":"Occupational therapy assistants stay on toes to help patients achieve independence"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Courtney Morris<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Kira Beal will always remember the scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

A patient with tongue cancer had just come out of reconstructive surgery. Suddenly, her cell phone rang, and out of instinct, she answered. It was then she realized she couldn\u2019t speak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe was visibly upset. You could see the frustration, pain, and sheer helplessness on her face,\u201d Beal said. \u201cNo one had thought to silence her phone, and I was the first responder in that moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As an occupational therapist, Beal had to tune in to the range of emotions her patient was experiencing, calm her, and restore her sense of self-worth throughout recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n

The journey may be smooth or painstakingly slow, but for occupational therapists, helping patients achieve independence is worth the sweat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a rewarding career, knowing you\u2019re able to help individuals live their lives in all aspects as independently as possible,\u201d Beal said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beal is the program director of the new occupational Therapy assistant (OTA) program at the San Jacinto College South Campus, launched in fall 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n

For many individuals who are struggling with physical, emotional, or other challenges, everyday tasks are impossible to do on their own. This is where the College\u2019s OTA program steps in.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 22-month program, which leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree, will launch its first class of graduates into this fast-growing healthcare profession in spring 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

While they will have different workplaces (from hospitals, pediatric clinics, and skilled nursing facilities to schools and homes), these OTAs will have the same goal: helping patients learn, recover, and improve daily living skills, or the \u201coccupations\u201d of life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Choose the OTA Program?<\/span><\/h4>\n

According to Beal, OTAs are creative, empathetic problem solvers who can help everyone from the newborn to the senior citizen thrive in his or her environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their work keeps them on their toes \u2014 figuratively and literally. While they share some similarities with physical therapists, OTAs focus not only on physical movement but also on problem solving, memory, organization, social skills, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

OTA student Ileana Villarreal, who will graduate from the program next spring, was drawn to the opportunity to improve people\u2019s quality of life. After completing the program, she plans to pursue a traveling OTA position or work in an inpatient\/outpatient setting for orthopedic patients.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re looking for a career that gives you opportunities to help others, expand your creativity, and provide you with a wide variety of healthcare settings, the occupational therapy assistant program may be perfect for you,\u201d Villarreal said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fellow OTA student Emily Maniscalco originally planned to become a nurse. After finishing a medical assisting program, she worked full time at a rehabilitation hospital for stroke patients. While there, she watched occupational therapists work with patients in the rehab gym, and her career took a 180.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Maniscalco will be the first to admit the OTA program\u2019s challenges, she says every challenge now helps her become the best OTA possible for her future patients. Her initial anxiety about a mental health clinical rotation has changed to confidence as she applies her learning, helping these patients with occupations meaningful to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe quote that always makes me push myself to the best of my abilities is \u2018Nothing worth having comes easy,\u2019\u201d Maniscalco said. \u201cI would give that advice to someone who has a passion for helping others and wants to pursue occupational therapy. The program may seem difficult at times, but it is shaping us to be the best we can be to help our clients return to their optimal level.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to having a fulfilling career, OTAs are also in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of OTAs will increase more than 40 percent from 2017-24.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2017, U.S. News Rankings listed OTAs as No. 1 in best healthcare support jobs and No. 12 in the 100 best jobs. In the same year, texaswages.com predicted OTAs to earn a median annual salary of $66,588 in the Gulf Coast area.<\/span><\/p>\n

About the Program<\/span><\/h4>\n

The OTA program currently has eight students and anticipates reaching a maximum classroom capacity of 24 in the next five years. The next application period will be Jan. 13 – April 3 for fall 2020 enrollment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pending program accreditation in spring 2020, the first OTA graduates will sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, then apply for their license through the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (TBOTE).<\/span><\/p>\n

Afterward, they will be eligible to work as OTAs or may continue their education to become occupational therapists.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of the progression and sequence of the classes and embedded clinical experiences, the OTA program is offered full time only.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Interested in becoming an OTA?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Attend an upcoming information session \u2014 no reservation required. Sessions will be on the second Tuesday of each month in the San Jacinto College South Campus Allied Health Building (S-1) located at 13735 Beamer Rd., Houston, TX 77089:<\/span><\/p>\n