Occupational Therapist Technical Standards

As an Occupational Therapy learner, you will be providing Occupational Therapy
services at a variety of fieldwork sites. The MSOT Program at CMU has developed
guidelines to safeguard the well-being of the OTSs and the patients/clients in
compliance with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
Colorado Mesa University does not discriminate against persons with disabilities in
its admissions process or the selective admissions process for individual programs.

Learners with documented disabilities who anticipate special needs with any aspect
of the Occupational Therapy Program including the professional instruction
practicum are urged to contact Educational Access Services. The faculty of the
Occupational Therapy program will cooperate with Educational Access Services to
make reasonable accommodations for learners with documented disabilities
admitted to the program.

The Colorado Mesa University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) is an
intense program that places specific requirements and demands on learners. The technical
standards included below establish the essential qualities considered necessary for
admitted learners to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to succeed as
entry--level Occupational Therapist.

Applicants unable to fulfill these technical standards prior to, or any time after enrolling
into the program, with or without reasonable accommodation, will not be permitted to
enter or progress within the program.

Qualifying applicants and enrolled MSOT Program learners must possess aptitude, ability, and skills in the following areas:

Learners must be able to observe as well as participate in demonstrations, visual
presentations, and exercises related to basic sciences. These activities will take place in the
classroom and skills lab settings, including, but not limited to, direct patients/clients
observation. Learners must be able to observe accurately at a distance and at a close range,
including observations of standardized patients/clients models. At times, observation
includes the functional use of the special senses, such as the sense of smell or touch.

Learners must be able to speak intelligibly, hear sufficiently, and elicit and transmit
patients/clients information in oral and written English to members of a healthcare team.
They must be able to describe changes in mood, activity, and posture. Learners must be able
to communicate effectively and intentionally with clients, as well as perceive non-verbal
cues through body language. Reading skills must be demonstrated at a level sufficient to
accomplish curricular requirements and provide care to clients. They must be capable of
completing appropriate assessments, review medical records, documents, and plans
according to protocol in a thorough and timely manner.

Learners shall possess motor skills sufficient to directly perform manual muscle testing,
goniometry, basic assessment of physical function and movement, sensory testing, ADL
and IADL assessment, and transfer procedures. They must be able to execute motor
movements required to provide essential medical care, such as basic lifesaving and CPR.
Such actions require coordination of gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and
functional use of the senses of touch and vision.

Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of OTS practitioners, requires that learners
have the ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize. Skills include recall
and retaining information in an efficient and timely manner, explanation of occupational
performance issues, justification of recommendations, ability to incorporate new
information from peers, teachers, and the literature in formulating goals, intervention
plans, recommendation of technology and adaptive equipment is essential. Good judgment
in client assessment, identification of occupational performance issues, goal setting,
intervention plan, and discharge planning is also crucial.

Learners must demonstrate the emotional and mental health required for full utilization of
his or her intellectual abilities. Learners must possess the ability to use their intellectual
capacity, exercise good judgment, and promptly complete all responsibilities related to
client safety and well-being under potentially stressful and/or emergency circumstances.
They must also be able to develop empathic, sensitive, and affective relationships with
patients/clients/clients. They must be able to adapt to changing environments and learn in
the face of uncertainties inherent in the practice of medicine.

Compassion, integrity, ethical standards, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest,
and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions and
educational process. Learners must be capable of developing constructive and cooperative
working relationships with others, demonstrate proper use of supervision, and act
independently.

If a learner or learners are struggling to meet these requirements, every effort by Faculty will be used to assist learners reach technical standards (i.e. learning contracts, action plans, etc.). If a learner is unable to resolve deficiencies in the above areas with or without appropriate accommodation will be counseled to pursue alternate career paths. A learner may also appeal. See the section in the OT Learner Handbook on the student grievances for the process.