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Occupational Therapy Aide Program Details

Penn Foster Career School’s online Occupational Therapy Aide program consists of five courses to help you gain the knowledge and skills needed in this field, including classes discussing safety within the health care environment, professional responsibilities of occupational therapy aides, and medical terminology related to the body.

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Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal

The program goal for Penn Foster’s Occupational Therapy Aide program is to develop the skills and knowledge to obtain an entry-level position as a professional occupational therapy aide.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...

  • Identify typical personal qualities held by successful occupational therapy aides, including empathy, knowledge of good customer service, and effective communication.
  • Identify typical professional responsibilities of occupational therapy aides, including assisting with activities of daily living, administrative duties, inventory control, and telephone etiquette.
  • Use appropriate medical terminology related to the body in order to communicate accurately with clients and supervisors.
  • Show understanding of the importance of a safe health care environment, including potential hazards and fall prevention, and the aide’s role in maintaining a clean, safe workplace.
Starting Your Program

In this course, you’ll develop the necessary skills to ensure your success in the program. Starting Your Program is designed to help you make a smooth transition to Penn Foster, including learning how to use all the tools and resources that are available to you, get help when you need it, understand the Code of Conduct, and improve your study skills and time management. The goal is to help you become a confident, independent learner.

Objective:

  • Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner.
Occupational Therapy Orientation

This course will introduce you to the history and purposes of occupational therapy, and it will explain common administrative and clinical tasks that occupational therapy aides may be expected to perform.

Objectives:

  • Identify the origins, roles, and responsibilities of occupational therapy team members.
  • Explain the aide’s role regarding administrative and clinical tasks.
Medical and Body Systems Terminology

This course will introduce you to the basics of medical terminology, and it will provide an overview of various body systems, discuss how these body systems work together, and describe common disorders associated with each system.

Objectives:

  • Define medical terms and their connection to human body regions and structures.
  • Explain various body systems and common body system disorders.

Online Resources: Access to MedlinePlus/Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, mobile apps, and abbreviations guides

Activities of Daily Living and Adaptive Equipment

This course will discuss activities of daily living (ADLs), including ADLs common to each developmental stage, and it will describe adaptive equipment that can be used to help people perform these activities.

Objectives:

  • Describe activities of daily living (ADLs) as they relate to each developmental stage.
  • Explain what adaptive equipment is and how it contributes to independent living.
Therapy and Safety Skills

This course will examine different therapy treatments and the modalities used in those treatments. It will also describe the components of building positive relationships among the aide, patients, and others. Finally, the course will explain how safety applies to the aide in maintaining the facility and taking precautions for infection control.

Objectives:

  • Identify common therapeutic practices used in the occupational therapy clinic.
  • Analyze the importance of developing an effective customer relationship in the healthcare sector.
  • Analyze the role that safety plays in a healthcare setting.
Clinical Work Experience Option

This program includes an optional work experience component. Looking to your future, you’ll be provided with a Work Experience Option Supplement that can be used to help you find a position as a trainee in a medical facility.

Additional Details

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in this field are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster Program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this Program. Click here for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

Penn Foster Career School Accreditation & Licensing Details

Penn Foster has been accredited for over 50 years. Penn Foster Career School has been thoroughly reviewed and has earned several important accreditations, certifications, and licensing. Most importantly, Penn Foster Career School is both regionally and nationally accredited.

Accreditation
DEAC
MSA
Surround Sound Support

A Committed Support System

While you can study independently, you’re not alone! With a dedicated Student Services department, the Student Community, and instructors just a call away, you’ll have access to the support you need.

Progress Tracking and Goal Setting Tools

Our customizable goal-setting tools will help you create a schedule and stick to it. Need some extra time to complete a lesson? Not a problem — you can adjust your study plan at any time to set a pace that works for you.
Progress Tracking and Goal Setting Tools
Penn Foster Student Community

Student Community

Looking to connect with other Penn Foster students? Our Student Community is the perfect place for you to interact with your peers — as well as Penn Foster faculty and staff — to discuss your online learning experience, congratulate fellow students, and share your Penn Foster experience.

Sample Occupational Therapy Aide Lesson

Penn Foster courses are written in a way that is easy to understand, and materials are broken down into manageable lessons. Take a look at what an Occupational Therapy Aide course would look like.
View Sample Lesson
Sample Occupational Therapy Aide Lesson
Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need access to high-speed internet to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 10® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running macOS® or later, and an email account to complete this program.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
Apple, Mac, and macOS are trademarks of Apple, Inc. registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
Overview
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Aide duties are closely regulated by the American Occupational Therapy Association, by individual states, and by the supervising occupational therapist. Duties in each state vary. The aide position is an unregulated, unlicensed, uncertified, unregistered profession. There are no requirements for an aide in any state. The program is not sufficient for assistant status in any state. Assistants require specific educational training, certification, and licensure examinations in every state.

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