Occupational Therapy

Overview

The Occupational Therapy program of New England Institute of Technology is offered in a weekend format that requires students to be on campus five (5) weekends in each ten-week academic term and to participate online during alternate weeks. A student following the MSOT program as outlined may complete the program in ten (10) terms. Registered occupational therapists (OTRs) assist people of all ages, with varying abilities or handicaps, to become independent in their day-to-day activities. Because every client has a unique set of circumstances, OTRs evaluate, develop, and help carry out an individual treatment plan for each one.

As an OTR, graduates can work in traditional medical environments or in any setting where people need to learn new ways to live satisfying and productive lives. In the field, OTRs often supervise occupational therapy assistants and other personnel. Students learn to use a variety of assessment techniques to identify a client’s functional problems as well as their underlying physical, mental, and psychosocial problem areas. The OTR takes the lead in using pertinent personal information as well as theoretical and scientific evidence to establish appropriate intervention plans for individual clients or groups. The OTR acts as part of the rehabilitation team, participating in various interdisciplinary meetings and assuring that all occupational therapy intervention meets the legal, ethical, and fiscal requirements that apply to various medical and community-based settings.

Student Outcomes

By the end of the occupational therapy program, students will become dynamic, well-rounded professional level practitioners prepared for contemporary practice as evidence by the ability to:

• Demonstrate a depth and breadth of understanding of foundational and OT theoretical knowledge and its practical application for all aspects of service management.

• Apply advanced knowledge and skills to OT assessment, outcome prediction, and planning of service delivery.

• Integrate information and experiences to detect and solve problems, and think logically, flexibly, and critically about client and managerial questions.

• Demonstrate mastery of the human dimension by contributing to and leading in a rapidly changing society with respect to advances in technology, and changes in legislation, reimbursement, health care delivery and social contexts.

• Continuously value and take responsibility for professional development and life-long learning and encourage these qualities in others.

• Care for society and their profession by consistently demonstrating the highest level of ethics and standards of practice for occupational therapy.