Occupational Therapy Assistant (A.S.) (2355)

Fieldwork is an integral part of the educational process and is designed to be an in-depth experience in delivering occupational therapy services to clients in a variety of settings in the community. Level II Fieldwork requires two eight-week full-time experiences scheduled in the last semester prior to graduation and after completion of all didactic coursework.

Strong efforts will be made for placements within commuting distance of the student’s home and college campus. However, students should prepare for placements within a 90-mile radius of the North Campus and/or personal residence.

As Level II Fieldwork is a full-time commitment, it is important for students to plan well in advance for childcare, work and other personal commitments. A hybrid seminar course is scheduled in conjunction with Level II Fieldwork in the final semester allowing for both face-to-face meetings and on-line coursework to prepare the student for graduation and to analyze the fieldwork experience.

Student groups/classes are arranged to meet on campus and/or at locations throughout the community. According to ACOTE, “the goal of Level II Fieldwork is to develop competent, entry-level, generalist occupational therapy assistants.” Students are responsible for uniform expenses, background screenings, physicals, vaccinations, travel expenses, and any miscellaneous expenses required by each fieldwork location.

All Occupational Therapy Assistant students must complete Level II Fieldwork within 18 months following completion of academic preparation. There is currently no provision for FSCJ OTA students to participate in fieldwork experiences outside of the state of Florida/Georgia or outside of the United States.

If there is a need for placement at a Level II Fieldwork site where OT/OTA services currently do not exist (e.g. emerging practice areas), OT and OTA faculty who have at least 3 years’ full-time or equivalent of professional experience prior to the Level II Fieldwork will provide the 8 hours of direct supervision, be available during all working hours through telephone or virtual meetings in order to provide the necessary support needed to ensure the student achieves the learning objectives for the fieldwork experience and provide protection for the consumer.

Part-Time Fieldwork: Upon special documented request of the student, a part-time Level IIA or Level IIB can be arranged. This part-time arrangement is made with the approval of the AFWC and the clinical supervisor at the fieldwork site. This arrangement includes the agreement of a start date and end date. These dates are calculated by the AFWC to ensure that the student attends the fieldwork site for a minimum of 50% of an FTE at that site. Level IIA and Level II B must be completed within 18 months of finishing the didactic coursework.

Effective July 1, 2009, pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, health care review boards shall refuse to renew a license, certificate or registration, issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of adjudication, to a felony violation of: chapters 409, 817, or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application, terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years) or terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years). The Florida nursing or allied health licensure or certification application requires disclosure of any criminal history and the disposition of all cases prior to board review. Being convicted of, or having entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any of the listed felonies in Florida Statute 456.0635 or termination for cause from the statutorily-described Medicaid programs will preclude an applicant from obtaining a nursing or allied health license or certification in the state of Florida. Entry and acceptance into the nursing or allied health program does not guarantee licensure or certification in the state of Florida.

Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

Some practice settings may have additional requirements including health insurance, a volunteer application, references, additional fingerprinting and background check (e.g. the Jessica Lunsford Act for school environments), drug testing, flu shot, Covid-19 testing/vaccine and/or an interview prior to the start of the clinical experience. The additional requirements are the responsibility of the student, including expenses.

The cost of the background check(s) and drug screen(s) is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student's responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program's published deadline.

Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into Limited Access or Selective Access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition and fees.

A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program. It is the students' responsibility to renew their annual physical examination as well as tuberculosis (TB) test.

For additional information, including admission and graduation requirements, please see the Associate in Science Degree information page.