What do you know about the Occupational therapy programs in California? Sit tight as we unravel the essentials you ought to know about these therapy programs.
Occupational therapy, also known as OT, is a field that is practiced all over the world. It entails using assessment and intervention to build, recover, or sustain the meaningful activities or occupations of people, organizations, or communities to achieve the goals of either maintaining or developing those activities.
It is a separate branch of the medical industry that is sometimes included in the category of allied health professions.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are members of this profession (OTA). Occupational therapists frequently work with patients who suffer from mental health conditions, disabilities, injuries, or other impairments.
The career path of occupational therapy involves hands-on work helping patients with disabilities improve their capacity to engage in meaningful everyday activities.
Working as an occupational therapist (OT) is a creative and rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of your patients every day.
What Do Occupational Therapists Do?
Occupational therapists are trained to work with patients of all ages who suffer from a variety of physical and cognitive impairments as well as differences.
They start by having a conversation with the patient, teachers, family members, or other caregivers to comprehend the requirements of the patient.
Following this, they evaluate the patient’s physical, sensory, emotional, and cognitive capabilities to formulate therapeutic objectives and a course of action.
The occupational therapist and the patient work together to develop and improve the patient’s skills, and the OT and patient continually review the patient’s progression during treatment.
Some of the following tasks may fall under the purview of occupational therapy practitioners:
- Educating patients about alternative methods of performing ADLs
- Developing patient-specific solutions, to foster autonomy and promote healing
- Providing assistance to patients in developing daily routines, acquiring new memory skills, and finding solutions to problems
- Instruction of patients in the use of various forms of assistive technology
- Teaching patients how to complete things without experiencing discomfort
- dealing with patients who have diseases that affect their development and cognition, such as autism, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy
- Assisting individuals who have experienced physical changes as a result of aging or injury, including but not limited to stroke, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or amputations
Occupational therapists tailor treatment strategies to the specific requirements of each patient. People who have autism spectrum disorder, for instance, can benefit from occupational therapy by learning to better regulate their emotions and improving their motor abilities, social skills, and responsiveness to stimuli, among other things.
What are the Occupational therapy programs in California?
See below for the top occupational therapy programs in California;
- USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Address: 1540 Alcazar St, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
Hours: Open 8 Am
Phone: +1 323-442-2850
For nearly 80 years, the University of Southern California has been working to ensure that people of every age and from every circumstance can live life to the fullest.
Throughout the decades, Trojans near and far have advanced the profession of occupational therapy and the research discipline of occupational science.
Today, the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy proudly carries this legacy forward as They aim to improve the quality of life of people and communities across the world.
USC established the first graduate programs in occupational therapy and occupational science and is consistently ranked among the nation’s top educational institutions.
Their scientists currently hold more than $22.5 million of federal grant funding. Their faculty clinicians have more than 60,000 patient encounters every year. Their alumni hail from 45 countries on six continents.
They have more than 90 full-time faculty members engaged in research, education, and patient care. To see why USC Chan is truly a place like nowhere else,
- The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Address: 700 Windy Point Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
Hours: Open 8 Am
Phone: +1 800-241-1027
At USAHS, they pride themselves on all the ways They innovate. Their state-of-the-art clinical simulation laboratories are a hallmark of every campus.
Their EdTech tools give you hands-on practice using the healthcare technologies of the future. Their dynamic learning model blends immersive face-to-face learning with digital coursework developed by their expert faculty.
They continually invent new ways to respond to the needs of today’s health sciences graduate students and support your career success.
Students in their physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology programs practice using state-of-the-art technology in their Centers for Innovative Clinical Practice.
- San Jose State University Department of Occupational Therapy
Address: 1 Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95112, United States
Hours: Opens 8 AM Mon
Phone: +1 408-924-3070
The Occupational Therapy Program at San Jose State University (SJSU) was founded in 1943 as one of the first occupational therapy programs in the West.
It is the oldest accredited Occupational Therapy program in the California State University system. Their national reputation for excellence is based on a superior academic curriculum, distinguished faculty, and accomplished graduates.
The Occupational Therapy Program at San José State University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
- Stanbridge University
Address: 2041 Business Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, United States
Hours: Opens 8 AM Fri
Phone: +1 888-789-6208
They offer the following programs;
- Associate of Occupational Science – LVN
- Associate of Occupational Science – OTA
- Associate of Science – PTA
- Associate of Science – RVT
- Bachelor of Science – Nursing (BSN)
- Bachelor of Science – RN to BSN
- Bachelor of Science – BHA
- Master of Science – Nursing (MSN-Ed)
- Master of Science – Occupational Therapy
- Master of Science – MHA
- Southern California Health Institute
Address: 5644 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601, United States
Hours: Opens 8at AM
Phone: +1 818-980-8990
Southern California Health Institute’s (SOCHi) mission is to provide quality allied health programs in an environment of scholastic learning to produce empathetic and compassionate allied health workers, dedicated to the ethical and social principles of the profession.
Sochi measures the success of its mission through the success of its graduates and their attainment of gainful employment.
For nearly 25 years, the Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi) has been forming relationships with wellness professionals in the greater Los Angeles area and the San Fernando Valley.
They are a comprehensive career counseling and resource center dedicated to empowering students and alumni as active participants in their career development.
Southern California Health Institute is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- West Coast University – Center for Graduate Studies
Address: 590 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004, United States
Hours: Opens 5 AM Fri
Phone: +1 323-284-7998
If you’re looking to pursue an advanced healthcare degree in Los Angeles, West Coast University’s Center of Graduate Studies offers an immersive environment to facilitate your professional development.
Their advanced programs provide the additional skills and experience you need to further your education in healthcare.
From their interprofessional learning model to their interactive simulation centers, WCU supports you in earning your graduate-level healthcare degree in Los Angele
- Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions
Address: 24951 Circle Dr. Suite 1605, Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States
Phone: +1 909-558-4599
Since 1966, the school has been training highly skilled and dedicated healthcare professionals from diverse religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Here they learn to nurture their intellectual curiosity and develop as active, independent learners.
In addition to a wide range of academic degrees, the School offers general education courses, professional certificates, continuing education courses, and life support education. To explore options within individual departments see their academic listings.
Their purpose is to prepare graduates to be choice employees for premier healthcare organizations by providing them with practical learning experiences through local and global partnerships in a wide variety of allied health professions.
- American College of Healthcare
Address: 11801 Pierce Street #100 Riverside, CA 92505 6330 Pacific Blvd Huntington Park, CA 90255 1840 E. 17th. Street Santa Ana, CA 92705, Riverside, CA 92505, United States
Hours: Opens 8 AM Fri
Phone: +1 888-430-4224
The American College of Healthcare and Technology aims to provide its students with a competitive edge in the healthcare industry by providing quality educational programs with industry-driven curricula for industry-demanded professions.
Their students, faculty, staff, and advisors are all involved in an interwoven pattern that demonstrates the positive effects to be gained from teamwork, professionalism, and a desire for ethical career advancement.
By providing quality services, their goal is to develop graduates who have the knowledge and skills along with the insight and wisdom which allows them to maintain:
- long-term career success in a health-related field
- high self-esteem
- tolerance for difference
- community involvement
- the desire and the ability to be the very best that they can be.
It is their educational goal to open doors and assist in creating access to opportunities for individuals who have the desire, aspirations, and level of commitment necessary for succeeding in a new career.
- CBD College
Address: 3699 Wilshire Blvd 4th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States
Hours: Opens at 10 AM
Phone: +1 213-427-2200
CBD College has been providing quality education and training to students for over 38 years with thousands of graduates currently working in the medical field.
They believe that their instructional methods, the pleasant learning environment, and the expertise of their staff, are second to none in their field. They also firmly believe that every student can and will achieve.
Through the understanding of today’s ever-changing Medical Industry and career opportunities, CBD College has continued to introduce only the most in-demand and opportunistic programs leading its students to stable and successful careers.
The Mission of CBD College is to provide educational opportunities, leading to careers or career advancement, in an open and supportive environment that encourages a lifelong quest for knowledge.
Since its foundation in 1982, CBD College has grown to become one of Los Angeles’ best Non Profit resources for Healthcare Career training and career advising for students of all nationalities, interests, and means.
As the College became more structured, the professional staff grew, and in 1994 CBD College received Course Approval from the State of California. In 1996, the College was incorporated as a non-profit public benefit organization.
FAQs about the Occupational therapy programs in California
See below for the answers to the most-asked questions about occupational therapy programs in California;
- What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy practitioners are health professionals who help individuals live as fully and independently as possible.
They specialize in helping individuals who are sick, disabled, or developmentally challenged develop the skills they need for everyday life.
OT Intervention focuses on occupations that can be as basic as getting dressed and eating or as complex as socializing and holding a job.
- Where am I most likely to work as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)?
OTA’s most commonly work in:
- assisted living or skilled nursing facilities
- rehabilitation facilities
- schools
- hospitals
- What would I do as an occupational therapy assistant?
OTAs work with individuals of all ages, with a wide range of conditions. A few examples include:
- helping a grandfather who has had a stroke and cannot use one side of his body learn to dress again
- running a group to help young children with autism learn to interact and play with each other
- showing a retired worker who has breathing problems due to COPD how to conserve energy so he can do more of the gardening he loves
- helping a mother with depression find a sense of purpose and motivation so she can return to caring for her family
- What is the job market for OTAs?
The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics states “Overall employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides 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.”
- Are there evening, weekend, or online classes available as part of the OTA program?
While some general education classes (such as English 15, Psych 100, HDFS 129, etc) can be taken as evening or online classes, the OTA classes are NOT offered as evening classes nor are they available online. All of the OTA classes are offered during the day only.
- Do I need to be full-time to complete the OTA program?
Students who have general education courses completed before starting the OTA program may be able to be considered part-time.
It is important to note however that in the third and fourth semesters you are required to take a minimum of three OTA classes at the same time.
Also, the final semester involves full-time (unpaid) fieldwork that follows the hours of the site you are placed at (typically eight hours between the hours of 7:00-5:00). Students are strongly advised not to work while doing this final semester of full-time fieldwork.
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Chibueze Uchegbu is a certified medical physiologist with a great passion for healthy living.