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Occupational Therapy Assistant

Would you be excited to help a child with balance and coordination challenges be able to play with their peers on a playground? Or teach patients with physical or mental challenges the daily living skills needed to gain independence and supportive employment?

If this sounds like a rewarding career, you'd be a great candidate for an Occupational Therapy Assistant!

Why become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

  • You'll improve your others' quality of everyday life and increase their independence.
  • Rewarding, in-demand and diverse career opportunities in many fields, including pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health and more.
  • High-paying careers upon graduation.
  • You'll learn excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills that will follow you into any career opportunity.
  • You'll learn about medical ethics, safety regulations, and how to use sound judgment in regards to safety of self and others.

Graduates of the program will be able 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 you will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

The program has been meeting the health care needs of West Michigan since 1979 and it is accredited by the Accreditation Council of 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.

Area of study

  • Occupational Therapy Assistant

Contact Info

Future students - How to apply

An Occupational Therapy Assistant helps a child find balance on a yoga ball.

Apply to GRCC

Your first step to becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant is to apply to GRCC as a degree seeking student in the Health and Exercise Sciences Pathway.
OTA student

Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant

Step two, complete the Health Admissions Application selecting the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. Contact Health Admissions with questions at healthprograms@grcc.edu.

Affirmative Action Statement

No student at Grand Rapids Community College is to be insulted, embarrassed, harassed, ridiculed, intimidated or in any way made to feel discriminated against because of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religious preference, handicap or ethnic background.

Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination Statement

Grand Rapids Community College is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, national origin, religion, height, weight, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam Era veteran, and/or any other legally protected class not heretofore mentioned, in any of its education programs and activities, including admissions and employment. The above measures, in conjunction with other related state laws and the College’s policies and procedures, will assure all individuals opportunity for consideration or redress of complaints of illegal discrimination. 

Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity, and American Disabilities Act information may be obtained from the: Human Resources Department Grand Rapids Community College 143 Bostwick Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295hr@grcc.edu(616) 234-3972

Testimonial

OTA student serving food to the homeless
I went into OT because I have a passion for just helping people. I like to see people thriving in their lives and enjoying their lifestyle. I love working with all ages of the population, from kids to geriatrics.
Rachel Hill

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