Essential Functions

Essential functions describe required skills and abilities for completion of the OTA program and to work as a generalist occupational therapy assistant. This list is a summary of essential functions students are required to meet throughout program coursework and fieldwork experiences. Additional information can be found at https://online.onetcenter.org.

Motor Capabilities:

• Move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces
• Transfer patients who may require physical assistance
• Guard and assist patients with ambulation, dressing, grooming and feeding tasks.
• Perform therapeutic techniques, including applying resistance during exercise.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds and exert up to 100 pounds of force (push/pull)
• Squat, crawl, bend/stoop, reach above shoulder level, kneel, use standing balance, and climb stairs.
• Use hands repetitively; use manual dexterity.
• Adjust, apply, and clean therapeutic equipment.
• Perform CPR. 
• Travel to and from academic and clinical sites.
• In the average clinical day, students sit 1-2 hours, stand 6-7 hours and travel 1-3 hours.

Sensory Capabilities:

• Convey verbal and manual instruction.
• Assess patient’s posture and response to treatment.
• Respond in a timely manner to a timer, alarm or cries for help.
• Monitor vital signs, changes in patient status, skin changes, etc.
• Auditory, visual, and tactile abilities sufficient to assess patient status and perform treatments.

Communication Abilities:

• Communicate effectively, concisely and accurately in English with patients, families and other healthcare providers; both verbal and written. (Examples: explain treatment procedures, teach patients and caregivers, document in charts.)
• Effectively adapt communication for intended audience.
• Interact and establish rapport with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds, treating all fairly and equally.
• Assume the role of a healthcare team member.
• Function effectively under supervision.

Problem Solving Abilities:

• Function effectively under stress.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies.
• Adhere to infection control procedures.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills in patient care. (Measure, calculate, reason, prioritize and synthesize data.)
• Use sound judgment and safety precautions.
• Address questions and/or problems to the appropriate person at the appropriate times.
• Organize and prioritize job tasks.
• Follow policies and procedures required by clinical and academic settings.
• Develop skills to choose appropriate treatment ideas to fit patient needs and capabilities.

Behavior Abilities:

• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with site policies and applicable laws.
• Demonstrate self-control, keeping emotions in check and controlling anger even in difficult situations.
• Take constructive criticism and apply it to improve behavior and skills.
• Manage time effectively.
• Demonstrate conduct reflecting in a professional and ethical manner at all times.
• Demonstrate reliability, responsibility, dependability and fulfillment of obligations.