OTD Technical Standards

Johnson and Wales University is firmly committed to its established policy to conduct its educational program without discrimination by reason of sex, age, race, color, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status in the administration of employment, admission, financial aid, and/or educational programs. This non-discrimination policy is consistent with the principles and practices of the university and is required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Titles I and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended, and by various other federal, state, and local statutes and regulations.

OTD Mission Statement

Johnson & Wales University Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program provides an exceptional education that produces successful practitioners who value lifelong learning, consistently seek to meet the changing needs of their communities and become leaders in interprofessional practice who emphasize occupation as a determinant of health.

As future occupational therapists, students must complete an academic program, including clinical components, fieldwork and a doctoral capstone experience, in order to qualify to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam. Students must pass the NBCOT exam in order to obtain an occupational therapy license in all 50 states to become occupational therapy practitioners. This document outlines the areas of essential functions that an occupational therapy student must be able to perform, with or without a reasonable accommodation, to successfully complete the program and function as an entry-level occupational therapist.

Observational Skills

Students need observation skills in order to interpret client participation in a wide variety of occupations and settings as well as to participate effectively in other group or team situations.

Students must:

• Observe and interpret behaviors, signs and symptoms in others close up and at a distance
• Perceive data received by the senses in order to integrate, analyze and synthesize it in a consistent and accurate manner
• Scan the environment for safety factors to prevent hazards and emergency situations
• Perceive sound at normal speaking levels, faint body sounds and auditory alarms

Intellectual and Communication Skills

Students need to comprehend large amounts of information and to apply this information to the evaluation and management of intervention with clients who have complex occupational performance problems. Effective communication skills enable the occupational therapist to elicit appropriate information from clients and others as well as effectively explain assessment and intervention processes and procedures.

Students must:

• Attend to verbal and written information
• Display adequate English language skills in written and oral communication
• Respond to emergency situations safely and effectively
• Deliver and receive information, synthesizing knowledge from multiple sources and senses to integrate for action
• Demonstrate problem-solving, including the ability to interpret information from multiple sources (written, verbal, environmental, interpersonal, etc.)
• Gather information, identify problems and identify alternative plans of action
• Understand and follow verbal and written instructions in a timely manner
• Record information in a way that is legible, accurate, descriptive, free from errors, and consistent with guidelines or standards
• Document clearly, and in a timely manner, reports and other required items
• Make decisions spontaneously in unexpected, urgent and pressure situations
• Understand and incorporate new information with increasing complexity
• Adhere to safety precautions
• Interpret and respond to subtle cues of mood, temperament and gestures provided by others

Behavioral and Social Attributes

Students must demonstrate the ability to practice in a professional and ethical manner and possess the emotional maturity to practice in a stressful work environment. Students are expected to respond appropriately to individuals regardless of sex, age, race, color, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, marital status, sexual orientation or veteran status.

Students must:

• Cope with demands of a heavy workload, demanding clients and life-threatening clinical situations • Recognize and respond appropriately to potentially hazardous situations
• Maintain personal appearance and personal hygiene according to guidelines appropriate for the classroom, fieldwork and doctoral capstone facilities
• Demonstrate self-reflection and the ability to apply feedback
• Adhere to standards set forth by profession and program (see AOTA Code of Ethics (2020) and JWU Code of Conduct)
• Use sound judgment within group settings in order to maintain social contracts, maintain boundaries and act in accordance with policies/rules of conduct in various settings
• Demonstrate mental flexibility
• Respond appropriately to situations involving pain, grief, death, stress, communicable diseases, blood and body fluids, and toxic substances

Motor Skills

Students need to possess the ability to perform evaluative and therapeutic procedures, requiring specific physical skills and stamina.

Students must:

• Sit with or without support
• Mobilize self through environment independently
• Grasp and manipulate objects, large or small
• Collect and move equipment and supplies (up to 25 lbs.)
• Maneuver objects or large/immobile people (up to approximately 150-200 lbs.) while maintaining safety of self and others