Delaware has 2 ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) campuses which provides an associate degree in Occupational Therapy. Plus, the state also has 1 ACOTE accredited Occupational therapy School in Delaware which provides an entry-level master degree. The license is required to practice as an OTA in Delaware; one can appear for the licensure examination after clearing the OTA associate degree from accredited OTA schools.
The list of Occupational therapy assistant schools in Delaware is-
- Delaware Technical Community College (George Campus)
- Delaware Technical Community College (Wilmington Campus)
Occupational Therapy in Delaware-
The occupational therapist (OT), Occupational therapy assistant (OTA) and OT/OTA students have their own state association, i.e. DOTA (Delaware Occupational Therapy Association).
The DOTA is a non-profit volunteer organization which provides a professional community for its members. The DOTA is a state-based professional organization for the occupational therapy profession in Delaware.
Occupational therapist and Occupational therapy assistant work closely with the patient to facilitate the recovery. OT assistant works on all therapy setup and assists OT on assessment and intervention implementation.
The Occupational therapist Assistant has good job opportunities in Delaware. An OTA can also become an occupational therapist by applying through a bridge program.
Occupational Therapy Assistance License in Delaware-
Graduates of the OTA Program are required to sit for the certification examination administered by the NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy). Upon successful completion of the NBCOT exam graduates must apply to the Delaware Board of Occupational Therapy practice for authorization to practice as a COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) within the state of Delaware. An OTA becomes COTA after passing the NBCOT exam.
The minimum requirements for the license are –
- An Associate degree in Occupational therapy assistant.
- NBCOT exam’s passing certificate.
- Submit an application for Licensure as an OTA.
- Pay the required fees. Occupational Therapist – $194 and Occupational Therapist Assistant – $68.
- Complete the Criminal History Record Check
Temporary OTA License / limited OTA license:
A temporary or limited OTA license can be issued by the authority if the applicant has completed an OTA program and has not taken the NBCOT exam. According to the application requirements for a limited permit, an occupational therapy assistant must practice under the direction and appropriate supervision of an OTR or COTA.
The permit is valid for 3 months from date of application. An applicant may request only one extension.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Delaware-
The Delaware Technical Community College offers the OTA program in two different campuses, i.e. the George Campus and the Wilmington Campus. Both the campuses have equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and classrooms.
An interview with the college committee is mandatory and important part of the selection.
| Delaware Technical Community College | |
|---|---|
| Degree Offered– | Associate degree in Occupational Therapy (OTA-entry level) |
| University Campus |
|
| Public or Private- | Private Institute. |
| Program Director- |
|
| Course Duration- | 2-year program |
| Class Size | 11 to 15 students per year |
| OTA Admission | Once in a year (Spring). |
| Application Procedure | Apply to the OTA program through the college website. |
| Minimum Requirement |
|
| Address |
Wilmington Campus- Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Georgetown Campus- Occupational Therapy Assistant Program |
| Website | www.dtcc.edu/ota |
Occupational Therapy Schools in Delaware-
There is only 1 Occupational therapy school which offers an entry-level Master of Science degree in OT. A master degree / Doctorate degree in OT is required to become an Occupational therapist.
List of OT school-
- Wesley College
Get complete info about the OT Schools in Delaware
Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs in Delaware-
The job outlook for occupational therapy assistant is very good in Delaware. Overall employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities (as per the United States’ Bureau of Labor Statistics).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 370 employed and licensed occupational therapy Assistant in Delaware in May 2017 and the requirement of license practitioner is increasing. Huge opportunities are there in Delaware for the occupational therapist (OT/OTR) and occupational therapy Assistant (OTA/COTA).
Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Delaware-
Employment and salaries for Occupational Therapy Assistants vary based on the work setting and geographical location. The current salary range in the local area is $37,000-$55,000 annually with an estimated 30% increase in jobs over the next 10 years. (Retrieved from http://swz.salary.com)
As per indeed.com, the average salary of an occupational therapy assistant in Delaware was $61,000 (in 2017) and According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual and hourly income of occupational therapy assistants were $ 61,370 and $29.5 respectively in May 2017.
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