Occupational Therapy Assistant, AAS

What makes MCC's Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS program better than or distinct from similar programs at other institutions?

At MCC, instructors emphasize focus on the community, cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and clinical reasoning in every aspect of the program. MCC's OTA program incorporates technology, evidenced-based information, and current trends to provide you with hands-on experiences to assist in the learning process. Many aspects of the program include working with community partners to encourage more application-based learning within the curriculum. 

What job opportunities are available to someone with an Occupational Therapy Assistant, AAS?

This AAS degree prepares you to function as a professional OTA in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, and school settings under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR).

How will MCC's Occupational Therapy Assistant, AAS program prepare me for my career or connect me to opportunities?

Gain real-world experience and network in the community as you complete your fieldwork experiences and through application-based curricular activities.

What have graduates gone on to do?

MCC OTA students have been hired by local school districts, skilled nursing facilities, and local children's outpatient clinics throughout the area. Some students have decided to get higher degrees in occupational therapy through OTA to OT bridge programs.

Outside of the Classroom

• Join MCC's Student Occupational Therapy Assistants and learn about shadowing and volunteer opportunities!
• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Illinois Occupational Therapy Association (ILOTA)

• Mission

  OTA Program Mission Statement

  The McHenry County College OTA Program will prepare individuals to function as entry-level certified occupational therapist assistants (OTA). Working in partnership with the occupational therapist and community stakeholders, graduates will successfully plan and implement goal-directed therapeutic occupations uniquely designed to help persons, groups, and populations achieve optimal performance in their daily life roles.

  OTA Program Vision Statement

  Our vision is to be a transformative occupational therapy assistant program with a focus on an occupation-based curriculum tailored to the unique needs of diverse individuals, groups, and populations, while emphasizing excellence in interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration, clinical reasoning, and community-based learning. We aspire to cultivate lifelong learners who, equipped with professional and ethical values, contribute meaningfully to society through advocacy and scholarship.

• Program Learning Objectives

  Graduates of the program will:

  • Occupation-Based Practice:
    • Students will apply a foundational understanding in occupation across interactions with all clients.
    • Students will promote the importance of occupation-based interventions with clients and external stakeholders.
  • Clinical Reasoning:
    • Students will develop clinical reasoning skills across lifespans and varied contexts.
    • Students will display proficiency in the analysis and integration of person, environment, occupation, and performance while fostering a holistic approach to client-centered care.
  • Clinical Application:
    • Students will develop and apply relevant interventions for persons, groups, and populations.
    • Students will determine appropriate interventions across diverse contexts and the needs of clients.
  • Community Engagement:
    • Students will foster interprofessional and intraprofessional collaborative relationships to serve clients and the community.
    • Students will build connectedness with community needs and establish resources.
  • Scholarship:
    • Students will develop self-directed learning skills for academic success and professional growth, seek resources, and engage in reflective practices independently.
    • Students will integrate evidence-based interventions into practice, to critically assess research, apply findings to client needs, and contribute to the delivery of high quality, evidence-informed care.

For OTA Fieldwork Educators

• Fieldwork Frequently Asked Questions
• Updated Fieldwork Performance Evaluation Tool 
• Fieldwork Educator Learning Resources