College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to announce a new Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, adding to the more than 100 programs already offered at the College.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant degree provides a holistic and client-centered approach to improve the quality and functionality of the clients they serve.
“We are very pleased to offer Occupational Therapy Assistant at CWI,” said Cathleen Currie, Dean of Health. “It offers students another opportunity to be in healthcare, coming from a different perspective of working with patients in acute and out-patient care settings.”
Current and future students interested in starting the OTA program in the Fall of 2021 are encouraged to complete their pre-requisites before applying for the program next spring.
Upon completion of the two-year program, students will have received the education, skills, and training necessary for the national certification exam to become a certified and licensed occupational therapy assistant.
“OTA is a hands-on discipline working with patients to reestablish skills and abilities that may have been lost due to injury, stroke, and other traumas,” Currie added. “It takes a holistic approach to the patient.”
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2018 to 2028, the job market for occupational therapy assistants will increase by 21%, much faster than average.
“This will be another high-quality nationally accredited program at CWI,” Currie said. “There are very few OTAs in the Treasure Valley, and our program is the only one in the region – so there is a demand for these professionals.”
CWI is proud to add this program to the list of options we provide, as we serve more than 30,000 students in our community.