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Baptist Health/UA-PTC Occupational Therapy Assistant partnership awarded 10-Year accreditation

Baptist Health College Little Rock (BHCLR)/University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College School of Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) was recently awarded a 10-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association after an on-site visit. BHCLR and UA-PTC partner to offer the program which leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree conferred by UA-PTC and a certificate of completion from BHCLR.

The School of Occupational Therapy Assistant was found to be compliant with all ACOTE standards. The next on-site evaluation will be scheduled within the 2033-2034 academic year.

The ACOTE identified several strengths of the program. The academic fieldwork coordinator was recognized for implementing student-first strategies that enhance the fieldwork experience, and faculty were commended for their passion for the profession, service in their community and expertise in areas of teaching. Additionally, fieldwork educators were applauded for their ongoing dedication and reliable support of the fieldwork component of the curriculum and students were identified as exemplars of the values of the program.

The ACOTE identified three suggestions that pertain to more clearly documenting faculty members’ job responsibilities in the adjunct faculty job descriptions, more clearly documenting goals and action steps in the program’s strategic plan and to more clearly emphasize goals and action steps in faculty professional development plans. There were no areas of concern or noncompliance with standards identified.

Dr. Karen James, PhD, OTR/L, CAPS, CLA, director of the occupational therapy assistant program, is eager to continue to equip leaders in health care.

“Receiving this accreditation renewal allows BHCLR and UA-PTC to continue to graduate quality occupational therapy assistants,” Dr. James said. “This accreditation reflects our commitment to maintaining high standards of education and preparing future occupational therapy assistants who will excel in the field.”

To learn more about the ACOTE, visit www.acoteonline.org.