Revised 8/2023

OCT 190 - Coordinated Internship (1 CR.)

Course Description

Supervised on-the-job training in selected business, industrial, or service firms coordinated by the college. Credit/practice ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to various clinical areas in which Occupational Therapy Assistants work. The coordinated internship is commonly called a Level I Fieldwork Placement. Students are expected to observe and participate in basic Occupational Therapy interventions throughout the internship. The fieldwork experiences will be reviewed and incorporated into coursework each semester. Information from previous OCT courses will be reviewed to ensure student knowledge as appropriate.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisite: Completion of OTA program first semester coursework.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Take initiative to maximize learning and exhibit curiosity and interest in OT and other disciplines.
  • Discuss the importance of professional relationships between OTs and COTAs, if applicable to the setting. Articulate the role of the OTA/OTR in evaluation screening and the rationale for supervision and collaborative work between the OTA/OTR (aligns with 2018 ACOTE standard B.4.24).
  • Discuss and practice concepts associated with documentation of services to insure accountability and to meet standards for reimbursement of services in practice settings across the life span.
  • Examine current service operations for the client across the life span, including: 
    • Use of time management - including scheduling and prioritizing workloads.
    • Maintenance and organization of treatment areas, equipment and supply inventory
    • Maintenance of records as required in the practice setting, by third party payers and regulatory agencies.
    • Philosophy of fieldwork site
  • Use professional communication skills with fieldwork educators, client, families and other members of the health care and/or educational team.
  • Effectively collaborate with the OTR/OTA and client to identify appropriate interventional methods.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and AOTA Standards of Practice and use them as a guide for ethical decision making in professional interactions, client interventions, employment settings, and when confronted with personal and organizational ethical conflicts. (aligns with 2018 ACOTE Standard B.7.1)
  • Demonstrate therapeutic use of self to establish rapport with client and/or families and focus on individualized needs. Comfortably initiate communication with the client in multiple situations and respond appropriately to the client’s behaviors. (aligns with 2018 ACOTE Standard B.4.1)
  • Appropriately communicate therapeutic observations. Ask questions at appropriate times.
  • Self reflect on Level I fieldwork experiences. Seek feedback and modify behaviors as indicated. Admit mistakes in the appropriate setting and develop a plan of action.
  • Consistently display a professional attitude and professionalism.
  • Demonstrate the ability to be flexible and handle stressful situations appropriately.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic OT terms, interventions, and process. Perform basic techniques and participate in activities with appropriate supervision.
  • Respond when client and/or staff assistance is needed and volunteer to help.
  • Reflect on your use of professional literature/ evidence based practice in collaboration with the OT to make practice decisions. (aligns with 2018 ACOTE Standard B.6.1)
  • Apply knowledge of occupational therapy history, philosophical base, theory, and sociopolitical climate and their importance in meeting society’s current and future occupational needs as well as how these factors influence and are influenced by practice. (aligns with 2018 ACOTE Standard B.3.1)
  • Monitor and reassess, in collaboration with the client, caregiver, family, and significant others, the effect of occupational therapy intervention and the need for continued or modified intervention, and communicate the identified needs to the occupational therapist. (aligns with 2018 ACOTE Standard B.4.22)
  • Discuss health literacy and its impact on the ability to educate and train the client, caregiver, family and significant other to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as prevention, health maintenance, health promotion and safety. (aligns with 2018 ACOTE Standard B.4.21)
  • Discuss the role of sociocultural, socioeconomic, and diversity factors, as well as lifestyle choices in contemporary society to meet the needs of persons, groups, and populations (aligns with 2018 ACOTE Standard B.1.2).

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Observation of OT practitioner(s)/Level I supervisor(s) and patients in a clinical setting
  • Effective interaction with OT practitioner(s)/Level I fieldwork supervisor(s) and patients in a clinical setting
  • Treatment planning and implementation
  • Writing SOAP notes
  • Demonstration of positive and effective professional behaviors
  • Explore OTA roles in various practice settings, including clinician and case management (aligns with 2018 ACOTE standard B.4.20)