At SCF, our Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program is preparing students for meaningful, in-demand careers while directly strengthening the health and vitality of our community.

Occupational therapy is often confused with physical therapy, but the focus is distinct. While physical therapy emphasizes movement, strength and mobility, occupational therapy centers on function and independence. Occupational therapy practitioners work with individuals across the lifespan, from newborns to older adults, helping them regain or develop the skills needed for daily life after illness, injury or disability. That may mean helping a child develop fine motor skills for handwriting, supporting an adult recovering from a stroke to dress independently, or training someone with a prosthetic limb to safely return to everyday routines.

Established in 1997, our two-year Associate in Science degree program admits 24 students each fall. After completing classroom instruction and hands-on labs, students participate in two eight-week clinical fieldwork rotations, where they apply their skills under supervision in real healthcare settings. Graduates sit for the national NBCOT certification exam and, upon passing, apply for state licensure.

The results speak to the program’s strength. Our graduation rate has risen significantly in recent years, and for the past four years our graduates have achieved a near-perfect board pass rate. Employment outcomes remain exceptional, with graduates securing positions as occupational therapy assistants or in related fields shortly after licensure. Nationally, OTA employment is projected to grow much faster than average, reflecting both workforce demand and the needs of an aging population.

Beyond the statistics, what truly sets the program apart is the depth of experiential learning and community engagement.

Students train in a newly renovated adaptive kitchen, where they experience firsthand what it feels like to complete tasks with physical limitations before teaching those same strategies to patients. They fabricate hand splints, participate in interprofessional simulations alongside nursing and physical therapist assistant students, and collaborate in real-world scenarios that mirror today’s healthcare teams.

Equally important is their work in the community. Students partner with organizations such as Easter Seals Southwest Florida, local mental health programs, adult day centers and dental clinics. In one recent collaboration, occupational therapy and dental hygiene students helped serve more than 300 children and teens who otherwise might not have accessed care, addressing sensory needs and reducing anxiety so they could comfortably receive treatment.

As one student shared, “I’ve always been a very creative person, but also very empathetic and compassionate. I wanted to work with people, but I also wanted to use my creative side. OT allows you to use your creative side to care for people, and you get to create fun interventions for them to help them reach their independent goals.”

Another student was drawn to the profession because of its purpose-driven focus. “The foundation of our interventions is what’s important to the life of another person,” he said.

Students consistently point to collaborative training as one of the program’s greatest strengths. The versatility of the profession is another powerful draw. As one student reflected, “There’s such a wide variety of places you can work in, which is super cool, and there’s so much room for growth.”

With competitive admissions, strong outcomes and growing workforce demand, the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is not only transforming students’ lives but also helping meet critical healthcare needs in our region.

Through skill, compassion and innovation, our students are learning to help others live fuller, more independent lives.

For more information, visit SCF.edu/OTA

Tommy Gregory, J.D., is the President of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.