
From submitting your application to admission to registration, WITC is available to help guide you through the admissions process. To help you successfully complete this program, WITC has developed a set of program requirements and functional ability criteria. For students with a disability, reasonable accommodations are available to help you be successful in the program of your choice.
2020-21
Admission Requirements
The first step to get admitted is to fill out a WITC application, and WITC will guide you from there. If you're not quite ready to become a student, visit a campus to get the full WITC experience. A campus tour will give you the opportunity to meet staff, instructors and students, tour the campus and get a real feel for the campus culture.
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Complete application form and submit with fee (fee waiver may apply if previously submitted)
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Have earned a high school diploma or GED certificate; current high school seniors must provide both a current high school transcript and a final transcript with confer date
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Review and sign Background Check Disclosure
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Review and sign Functional Abilities Disclosure
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Complete admissions meeting with a WITC counselor (academic admission requirements apply)
2020-21 Occupational Therapy Assistant Additional Program Information-Generic Track
2020-21 Occupational Therapy Assistant Additional Program Information-Transfer Track
Program-Specific Requirements
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Submit Background Check fee
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Have an acceptable Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check, National Criminal Background Check, Minnesota Caregiver Background Check (if applicable), and other states, if applicable
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Pass a physical exam, have current immunizations, and demonstrate negative status for tuberculosis (Tb)
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Possess current certification of “CPR for Healthcare Providers” or equivalent
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Review and sign Nursing and Allied Health Division Confidentiality Statement
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Attend a mandatory program orientation session
2020-2021 Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Handbook
- Allied Health Policies
- AH-1 WITC Mission, Vision, Values & Tenets
- AH-2 Rules and Regulations-Student Signature
- AH-3 Safety Accountability Statement-Student Signature
- AH-4 Bloodborne Pathogen Risk Statement
- AH-5 CDC Guidelines and Links
- AH-6 Standard Precautions Chart
- AH-7 Exposure Control Procedures (Needle stick)
- AH-8 Performance-Based Instruction
- AH-9 Student Responsibilities
- AH-10 Responsibility of the Learner
- AH-11 Test-Taking
- AH-12 Studying Hints
- AH-13 Important Dispositions for Critical Thinkers
- AH-14 Good Thinking vs. Poor Thinking
- AH-15 Computer Information
- AH-16 Communication Guidelines
- AH-17 Confidentiality-HIPAA
- AH-18 Transfer Credit
- AH-19 Witnessing Legal Documents
- AH-20 Health Status
- AH-21 CPR-Medic 1st Aid Requirements
- AH-22 Course Expectations for Assignments
- AH-23 Grading Policy
- AH-24 Academic Appeal Procedures
- AH-25 Automatic Program Dismissal
- AH-26 Complaints Concerning Allied Health Programs
- OTA Program Policies
- OTA-1 Welcome
- OTA-2 2019-20 Catalog Page and Course Descriptions
- OTA-2 2020-21 Catalog Page and Course Descriptions
- OTA-3 2019-20 Curriculum Checklist
- OTA-3 2020-21 Curriculum Checklist
- OTA-4 OTA Program Mission
- OTA-5 OTA Program Outcomes
- OTA-6 Program Philosophy
- OTA-7 Code of Conduct
- OTA-8 Curriculum Design
- OTA-9 OTA Student Rules and Regulations
- OTA-10 Certification
- OTA-11 ACOTE
- OTA-12 Core Ability Assessment Timeline
- OTA-13 Core Ability Scoring
- OTA-14 Student Technical Support
- OTA-15 Program Portfolio
- OTA-16 OTA Dress Code
- OTA-17 Attendance Policy
- OTA-18 Late Assignment Policy
- OTA-19 Academic Advising Policy
- OTA-20 Distance Learning Education Policy
- OTA-21 Cancellation of OTA Class
- OTA-22 Online Exam Policy
- OTA-23 Curriculum Plan
- OTA-24 Fail Repeat Policy
- OTA-25 Improvement Plan
- OTA-26 Withdrawal Policy
- OTA-27 Reentry Process
- OTA-28 Criteria for Successful Completion of OTA Program
- OTA-29 Student Safety Concerns
- OTA-30 Evaluation
- OTA-31 Extended Laboratory Experience
- OTA-32 Fieldwork Information
- OTA-33 Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check Policy
- OTA-34 Background Check Fieldwork Policy for Student Placement
- OTA-35 OTA CBC Disclosure
- OTA-36 FY21 Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check
- OTA-37 Required Documents for OTA Students
- OTA-38 FY21 Nursing & Allied Health Division Health Form
- OTA-39 FY21 OTA Functional Abilities
- OTA-40 OTA Graduation Form Procedures
2020-2021 OTA Fieldwork Handbook
Spring 2021 dates: January 11-March 5, 2021 and March 15-May 7, 2021
- Cover, Table of Contents and Formal Letters
- Fieldwork Basics
- Fieldwork I
- Fieldwork II
- D1 Fieldwork II Timeline
- D2 AOTA Fieldwork Data Form (Explanation and Form)
- D3 Preparing for Level II Fieldwork - Assignment (Intro Letter and Student Data Form)
- D4 Possible Assignments for the Fieldwork Site to Utilize
- D5 Week Two Site Review - Assignment
- D6 Understanding the FWPE
- D7 For Students to Complete: Student Evaluation of the Fieldwork Experience (SEFWE)
- D8 A Survey for Students to Complete: Performance Evaluation of the Fieldwork Coordinator (Sample: Access this via Blackboard)
- Tools for Addressing Special Concerns
- Inclusion of Pyschosocial Content into the Level II Fieldwork Experience
- Supervision Guidelines
- G1 Program Director/Fieldwork Coordinator Process for Supervision of Fieldwork
- G2 Fieldwork Level II and Occupational Therapy Students: A Position Paper
- G3 Physical Agent Modalities
- G4 AOTA PAMs
- G5 State of WI OT Practice and Supervision
- G6 State of WI OT Definitions
- G7 State of WI OT Licensure of OT's and OTA's
- G8 State of WI OT Biennial Registration
- G9 State of WI OT Unprofessional Conduct
- G10 Materials to Enhance Fieldwork Supervision
- G11 Practice Advisory Services
- G12 Fieldwork Supervision
- G13 Methods to Prepare to be a Fieldwork Educator
- WITC OTA Program Mission and Philosophy
- OTA Program Course Information
- Site-Based Objective Samples
- Fieldwork Policies
- K1 Fieldwork Policies
- K2 Fieldwork Placement Policy
- K3 Contacting Fieldwork Educators
- K4 Travel during Fieldwork
- K5 Termination of Fieldwork
- K6 Attendance during Fieldwork
- K7 Fieldwork Grading
- K8 (AH-17) Confidentiality-HIPAA
- K9 (OTA-34) Background Check Fieldwork Policy for Student Placement
- K10 (AH-20) Health Status
- K11 (AH-21) CPR Medic 1st Aid Requirements
- K12 (OTA-16) OTA Dress Code
- K13 (AH-16) Communication Guidelines
- K14 (OTA-24) Failure/Course Repeat Policy
- K15 (OTA-27) Reentry Process
- Glossary
OTA Program Orientation-Fall 2020
Be aware that you need to follow the timelines and procedures listed here in order to participate.
No forms. No class. No exceptions.
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What You Will Need to Do
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Click on the forms below to print them (all forms are PDF files). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download and use these files.
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2020-21 OTA Curriculum Checklist - to be used as a guide. Although your academic advisor can provide guidance, you are ultimately responsible for selecting courses that meet a program's graduation requirements.
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- Background Checks
- The agencies that host the WITC OTA students for fieldwork courses have significantly increased their demands for background check scrutiny over the past several years. WITC wants to ensure students understand, prior to the start of the program, that if there are no fieldwork agencies that will accept the student based on the background check history, the student must be excused from the OTA program, regardless of the student's academic standing. This is explained further in the Background Check Disclosure form listed above, under Admission Requirements.
- All OTA students are required to complete a Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check. Some facilities require a National Criminal Background Check, which must be completed through Verified Credentials, Inc. In addition to that, if you are a student who will complete OTA Fieldwork or course activities in Minnesota, you will also be required to complete a Minnesota Caregiver Background Check (see below). Prior to OTA Fieldwork, the Fieldwork Coordinator will inform you if the National and/or MN background check is needed.
- 1. Print form
- 2. Each form will indicate a due date and to whom the paperwork should be sent
- MN Department of Human Services (DHS) Background Studies
- The MN Dept. of Health Services NETStudy 2.0 background study requires all persons who provide services to children and vulnerable adults to be fingerprinted and photographed.
- Students will be required to provide WITC a copy of an Acceptable Form of ID for DHS Background studies, the completed MN DHS Data Worksheet and $20.
- WITC staff will verify the information provided, and enter it into the MN DHS website, which will generate the Background Study Fingerprint & Photo Authorization document that is sent to the student. Students MUST present the authorization document and same form of ID to be fingerprinted and photographed. Students will be required to pay the $9.10 fee at the fingerprint and photo location.
- Within 14 calendar days of receiving the Background Study Fingerprint and Photo Authorization document, students must be fingerprinted and photographed. If not completed within 14 calendar days, the above process and fee payment will need to be repeated.
- Background Study Notice of Privacy Practices
- OTA Health Form and Directions
- 1. Print directions and Health form
- 2. Complete health information and immunization pages of the form
- 3. Take form and directions to your physical exam appointment; be sure the physical exam page gets signed and stamped
- 4. Make copy of form, then submit to your local campus instructor on the first day of the first (fall) semester
- To Complete and Give to Instructor
- Functional Abilities Disclosure-listed above, under Admission Requirements. Read the functions and initial/sign the last page as described. Submit to instructor by designated due date.
- Learning Styles -- check your learning style
- Confidentiality Statement
- Acknowledge of Risk Form
- Student Information sheet -- please complete and send to Becky Mika by August 1
- Information Only
- 2020-21 OTA Program Cost Sheet
- Insurance information
- 2020-21 OTA Program Textlist -- you will purchase most of your books during the first semester of course work; you will use them throughout your program
- Program Policies
- Distance Learning Education Policy
- OTA Dress Code
- OTA Failure/Repeat Policy
- Student Biographical Change Request -- please print and use this form if you change your name, address or phone number(s). You should submit it to your local Student Services to be certain that the changes are entered in the main computer system.
OTA Reentry
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OTA Reentry Instructions
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In the event an OTA student who is matriculated into core OTA (514-XXX) and/or core science (806-XXX) courses has to temporarily leave the program, the student is considered a “reentry” student. This may occur because the student:
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1. Must temporarily take leave from core OTA courses due to personal or other reasons that do not allow the student to continue in the program at the current time. This includes military service.
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2. Failed, and is eligible (see OTA Failure/Course Repeat/Dismissal Policy) to repeat either a core OTA or science course that is prerequisite for the following semester.
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3. Withdrew from a core OTA or science course that is prerequisite for the following semester
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If you are at this website, it means the Program Director has determined you are a reentry student.
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Reentry students have priority reentry status for one year if space is available. For example, if you leave the program during or at the end of the Fall 2020 semester, you will maintain priority reentry until Fall 2021. Should you decide to postpone your reentry to the OTA program during the priority year you will forfeit your priority reentry status and will be eligible for reentry after other students waiting to reenter have had the opportunity to reenter.
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Please carefully review the Intent to Reenter form sign and return this form within one month of your exiting the program to the following address:
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Becky Mika
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WITC-Ashland
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2100 Beaser Ave
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Ashland WI 54806
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If you return your Intent to Reenter form you will receive an email through your WITC email account giving you further details regarding course registration for the semester of your reentry. If you do not return your Intent to Reenter form by the deadline it will be assumed that you are no longer interested in enrolling in the WITC OTA program courses and your name will be removed from the reentry priority list.
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Please note that while you may not be eligible to continue with core OTA courses at this time due to pre/corequisite requirements, you are still eligible to take general studies or elective courses required for graduation from the OTA program.
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If you are planning on retaking coursework through another WTCS college, you must still complete and return the Intent to Reenter form. This will ensure you of reentry priority status for the one year time limit.
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If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Becky Mika, OTA Program Director, at becky.mika@witc.edu or 800/243-9482 x 3184.
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OTA Withdrawal
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Instructions for Withdrawal from OTA Core Courses
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If you are at this webpage, it means your OTA Academic Advisor has been notified that you dropped your OTA course (10-514-xxx) courses.
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If you are withdrawing from your OTA core (10-514-xxx) courses, the OTA program would like to gather data regarding your decision to withdraw. This data is useful in the OTA planning process. Thank you for providing this information.
- Reentry students have priority reentry status for one year. For example, if you leave the program, during or at the end of the Fall 2020 semester, you will maintain priority reentry until Fall 2021. Should you decide to postpone your reentry to the OTA program during the priority year, you will forfeit your priority reentry status and will be eligible for reentry after other students waiting to reenter have had the opportunity to reenter.
- Please carefully review the Withdrawal from the OTA Program form. You may complete the form electronically and email to becky.mika@witc.edu or print and mail this form within one month of your exiting the program to the following address:
- Becky Mika
- WITC-Ashland
- 2100 Beaser Ave
- Ashland WI 54807
- If you are planning on returning to the WITC OTA program, please review the Reentry process and complete the Intent to Reenter form.
- If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Becky Mika, OTA Program Director, at becky.mika@witc.edu or 800/243-9482 x3184.
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Technology Requirements
If using Macintosh or Linux based computers, coursework must be submitted using your Office365 tools provided with your WITC email account. It is important to verify with your Program Faculty if non-Windows based computers are acceptable in the program.