What is OT?

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on the things you want and need to do in your daily life. Occupational therapy intervention uses everyday life activities (occupations) to promote health, well-being, and the ability to participate in important life activities.

Occupational therapy can help you participate in life activities (occupations) and provide recommendations addressing the following:

• Activities of daily living (such as bathing, dressing, and eating)
• Adaptive equipment (to make daily tasks easier)
• Education of staff, caregivers, and family members to assist individuals to live life to its fullest
• Planning and making the most of daily routines
• Successful strategies to facilitate performance at work, school, and leisure activities
• Techniques to aid in memory, concentration, and executive functioning (e.g., planning and prioritizing, functional cognition)

To learn more about OT: Watch this video

Why Collaborate with Temple OT?

The mission of Temple’s OT Program is to educate future OTs, support practitioners who are currently in the field, nurture clinical educators, and stimulate researchers who can apply and reflect on contemporary practice, while imagining innovative OT roles. Through education, practice, service, and research, Temple OT students serve others to ensure access, opportunity, and participation in society for all. Temple’s mission aligns with the Quaker School’s mission. Our partnership fosters the ability to use research-based programs to address the personal, social, and academic success of Quaker School students, while also providing Temple OT students the opportunity to gain hands-on, real-world experience.

Temple’s OT program has a long-standing history, celebrating its 50^th year as a program in 2017. In 2020, Temple's program was ranked the 23rd best OT program out of 198 nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report. Temple’s Master’s program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®). The program has recently transitioned from a master’s to an entry-level doctoral degree (eOTD) which is currently in application status and is scheduled for ACOTE® on-site accreditation visit during fall 2024.  The 116-credit eOTD is designed to be completed in three years of continuous, full-time study and all didactic work will be completed on Temple’s Main Campus.

To learn more about Temple’s entry-level doctoral program, watch: Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Temple University - YouTube or visit Temple University’s website: Occupational Therapy OTD | Temple University

Examples of Careers Post-Graduation/Where do OTs work?

OT practitioners (occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants) are licensed clinicians who collaborate with people of all ages and in many settings, including in individual’s homes, communities (e.g., community centers, shelters, free clinics), schools, and healthcare settings (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and primary care offices).

The Quaker School at Horsham’s very own, Kerri VanDusen, MOT, OTR/L is an Alumni of Temple OT!

Temple Students, Graduates, & Faculty Serve the Community:

Temple’s OT program was built on the belief that participation in OT facilitates the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities and populations, by incorporating the underlying principles of public health and rehabilitation science. Temple OT is one of two programs nationally that is situated in a College of Public Health and is committed to servicing the local community. Students, gradates, and faculty are involved in numerous service projects, ranging from volunteering at local food pantries, supporting athletes with disabilities, serving at soup kitchens, leading mindfulness, and yoga classes to promote health and wellness, providing support to those experiencing homelessness, to raising funds for local charities. Additionally, students conduct research with faculty mentors ranging from provision of trauma-informed services, creating assistive technology projects, and developing and implementing community projects in collaboration with local schools and childcare settings.  

What do Temple fieldwork students learn at their placements & Why this is an important part of the program and their education?

As part of Level I fieldwork (part-time) fieldwork experiences, Temple students learn to apply foundational knowledge having the opportunity to observe clients and practitioners while developing professional behaviors and practicing skills with clients across the life span and with various diagnoses and disabilities to address diverse occupational needs of clients. Level I fieldwork experiences occur concurrently with coursework. During Level II (full-time, 12 week) fieldwork, students gradually progress their ability to manage a full case load and are required to demonstrate entry-level practice competency. Temple OT and Quaker School’s partnership is a “Win-Win” as everyone benefits!

 

BLOG Submitted by:

Jeanne M. Coviello, OTD, OTR/L

She/ her/ hers

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Assistant Professor

Occupational Therapy

Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

College of Public Health, Temple University

 

And

 

Erica A. Pugh, OTD, OTR/L, RYT-200

She/her/hers

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Assistant Professor, Program In Occupational Therapy

Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

College of Public Health, Temple University