Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program is a nationally accredited program at the military Medical Education and Training Center (METC). Graduates receive an Associate's degree from the College of Allied Health Sciences and are eligible to sit for national certification through the National Board for Certification in OT (NBCOT). This METC program is available to United States Army and Army Reserve Soldiers, United States Navy Personnel, and foreign military personnel. Upon satisfactory completion of both phases of training, graduates are awarded the following skills/job identifier based on Service component: Army Military Occupational Specialty Code (68L10); Navy Enlisted Classification Code (HM 8467). The METC OTA program provides a basic knowledge of the following: OTA fundamentals; anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; clinical evaluation; treatment interventions; and clinical reasoning. Training objectives are achieved through lectures, group activities, demonstrations, hands-on instruction, clinical observations, clinical experiences, and computer-based or blended learning options. Performance evaluations and computerized tests are used to assess students’ knowledge and skills development. Phase I training consists of 18 weeks, two days of didactic training for Army; and 17 weeks, two days of didactic training for Navy, conducted at METC on Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This training prepares students to become entry level OTAs who will assist occupational therapists to provide health related services to military medical system beneficiaries. The didactic training is conducted primarily in classrooms and laboratories; however, opportunities are provided for students to observe OTA delivery in local clinical settings (Fieldwork Level 1). Navy students attend Phase I (Fieldwork Level II) clinical training for an additional 16 weeks with San Antonio-area military and civilian healthcare facilities with whom METC has an official Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This is an unofficial account led by program cadre. Opinions do not represent those of METC, Service Components, or the DoD. Likes/follows/reports do not equal endorsement.