OTA | Keiser University

“I call it [Adult Physical Conditions] the Bible for Occupational Therapy Assistants because it has everything that the students need to know.”

Jaime A. Correa Instructor, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Keiser University, Fort Lauderdale

Jaime Correa has been an Instructor for the Keiser University Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) program in Fort Lauderdale for 2 years. Prior to that, he worked in clinical practice for over 10 years. The Keiser University COTA program is a 2-year associate degree program offered at 11 different campuses in Florida. Each campus admits about 47 students annually; students are a mix of high school graduates, those seeking second careers, and students who left other college programs after deciding they wanted to pursue careers as occupational therapists. The program meets in-person 5 days a week for 5 hours daily. The curriculum focuses on a specific subject area for 4 weeks before moving on to the next one, covering all required topics and competencies for accreditation. F.A. Davis products in use by Keiser University’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program § Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants by Amy J. Mahle & Amber L. Ward § Functional Performance in Older Adults by Bette R. Bonder, Noralyn D. Pickens & Vanina Dal Bello-Haas § The Evidence-Based Practitioner: Applying Research to Meet Client Needs by Catana Brown § Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy by Lynn S. Lippert § Laboratory Manual for Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy by Mary Alice Minor, Christopher Towler & Lynn S. Lippert § Kinesiology Flashcards by Lynn S. Lippert & Mary Alice Minor § Kinesiology in Action (online program) What’s working for Keiser University? The Keiser University COTA program has been using F.A. Davis materials for about 10 years. The main book used in the program is Adult Physical Conditions , and Jaime refers to it as “ the Bible ” for OTA students. “ We use this book for 5 different subject areas during the program. ” Jaime notes that students also use it to review all subjects covered in the curriculum, even if they have another book for that subject. “ It covers all of the areas that students will be tested on in the certification exam. I recommend that they keep this book and use it to study for their boards. ” Jaime appreciates the quality and comprehensiveness of the Instructor Resources that accompany the F.A. Davis books. “ We use the pre-made PowerPoints for all of our in-person lectures. ” These are uploaded to their Blackboard LMS so students also have access. “ We encourage students to review the lecture materials prior to coming to class so they are prepared. ” Students have access to the online review materials and quizzes that come with their books. While they are not assigned, Jaime encourages them to use those resources. “ Students who do access these materials are better prepared for class and do better on exams. Once the students realize how helpful these resources are, they wish they had started using them sooner. ” Student grades are based on pre-and post-tests delivered for each subject area, a mid-term and final, and competencies that must be performed in-class in front of their Instructor. “ The materials are working great for our faculty and students. The students are acquiring the knowledge they need for each subject area and successfully moving through the curriculum. ”