Essential Functions in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy students learning positioning techniques As a student of the occupational therapy program, certain essential functions are conducive to success. The professional proficiency profile of a student is as follows:

Upon acceptance into the occupational therapy program, the applicant will have:
1. Completed at least 40 hours of volunteer hours in community service
2. The ability to relate to patients who have physical disfigurement or who display unusual social behavior.
3. Effective time management including meeting appointments, completion of assigned tasks, and recognition and acceptance of others' stresses and priorities.
4. Ability to monitor own behavior appropriately, including grooming, dress, nonverbal behavior, patterns of communication, and team interaction.
5. Ability to read, write, and speak in English.
The nature of occupational therapy practice demands that the applicant develop:
1. The ability to make critical decisions in stressful situations and intervene effectively.
2. Awareness and observation of safety precautions and the ability to assess potentially dangerous situations.
3. Respect for confidential nature of patient information.
4. Sensitivity to nonverbal behavior and environmental clues.
5. Ability to use feedback and develop adaptive strategies.
6. Ability to work cooperatively in a team situation with other professionals.
7. Ability to participate and negotiate in group decision-making.
8. Ability to apply theory and concepts to treatment needs in an appropriate professional manner.
9. Sensitivity to diversity in ethnics, gender, capabilities, generational, and ideological perspectives.
10. Ability to read, write, and speak in English.
The responsibilities of the occupational therapy student require the following neurophysiological abilities:
1. Classroom physical demands (includes labs)
  1. Transportation to classrooms in Nichol Hall and lower campus, library, chapel, and lunch facilities.
  2. Be present in classroom for at least 3 hours with two 10-minute breaks.
  3. Write reports legibly.
  4. Communicate in classroom for questions, dialogue, and presentations.
  5. Communicate with instructors.
  6. Read homework assignments.
  7. Collect information from library sources.
  8. Submit typed homework/research papers.
  9. Make oral presentations in class.
  10. Use tools such as: goniometer, blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, measuring tape, scissors, x-acto knife.
  11. Attend field trips to different facilities.
  12. Participate in and perform range of motion (ROM), muscle testing, goniometry, patient management techniques.
  13. Participate in crafts such as: leather (stamping and carving), basketry, wax crafts, mosaics, macramé, beads, string art, weaving (card, inkle, Indian), wood crafts (carving, whittling, burning, chip carving, block printing), needlepoint, finger paints, oils, pastels, watercolors, decoupage, paper mache, silk screen, copper enameling, copper tooling, wire sculpturing.
  14. Ability to read, write, and speak in English.
2. Physical demands while in fieldwork
  1. Perform patient management techniques, range of motion (ROM), muscle testing, and goniometry.
  2. Handle tools such as goniometer, feeding utensils, sensation testing equipment, therapy equipment including toys, dynamometer, and pinch meter, adaptive equipment, and a variety of crafts.
  3. Construct splints and adaptive equipment.
  4. Write legible progress notes in chart and submit typed reports for case studies.
  5. Be present at fieldwork site for work shift as scheduled.

The responsibilities of the occupational therapy student require the following professional abilities in the classroom and fieldwork facility:

Manage time effectively within academic and professional practice.
Adjust priorities according to the needs of the program, department, and peers.
Comply with the institution's policies and procedures.
Participate responsibly in the overall program and in each class.
Adjust to change and modify own behavior according to the demands of the situation.
Assume responsibility for professional behavior and growth.
Demonstrate an understanding of professional standards and ethics.
Demonstrate good problem solving skills.
Demonstrate good safety awareness around tools, sharp objects, combustibles, and heated elements.
Demonstrate cleanliness and orderliness in personal appearance and in completed projects.
Handle personal problems in a manner which does not interfere with the academic program, cause excessive stress, or require undue time and attention from peers and/or personnel.
Communicate in a mature professional manner with peers and instructors.
Follow appropriate channels of communication and authority for obtaining information and answers to questions.
Ability to read, write, and speak in English.

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