Mathematics, Natural Science & Health Technology

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

OTA logo

Welcome to the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program at Southwest Virginia Community College and the expanded program at Virginia Highlands Community College with transmission to Mountain Empire Community College.

The OTA program at SWCC graduated its charter class of occupational therapy assistants in Spring 1998. Since that time, 12 classes of occupational therapy assistants have graduated from the program.

Although in the works for some time, efforts to provide education for those interested in becoming occupational therapy assistants came to fruition when a grant from the Department of Labor was obtained for OT as well as other allied health programs in the region to provide higher education services to students in rural areas. The SWCC OTA program expanded to enroll students in the service regions of Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC) and Mountain Empire Community College (MECC).  Although students at MECC have class instruction via online courses and broadcasted through compressed video, they travel to VHCC to participate in laboratory activities.   

The OTA program has developed into a hybrid structure; encompassing traditional classes, online classes, distance classes via the compressed video network, community involvement and clinical fieldworks. The OTA program is also currently in the process of transitioning to an associate of applied science degree. Annette Looney, program director, faculty member, and an occupational therapist has been with the program since late 1995. John Hartlen, fieldwork coordinator, faculty, and certified occupational therapy assistant joined the program in 1997. As a result of the expansion, Dana James, an occupational therapist, was hired as site coordinator at VHCC and faculty in 2008.  

The inaugural expansion class will finish their coursework in Dec 2009 and begin their final fieldwork in January 2010 with their sights set on a May graduation date.  This first year of expansion has been a period of challenge, change and opportunity for all involved.  We wish these students well and applaud their efforts and intrepid spirit.  We look forward to welcoming the new students this fall and those to come.


Contact Info:  

Program Director and Assistant Professor:
  Annette Looney, OTR/L
  SWCC Booth Center, Office 312
  Office Phone:  276.964.7643
  e-mail:  annette.looney@sw.edu

                   
Fieldwork Coordinator and Instructor:
  John Hartlen, COTA/L
  SWCC campus
  Russell Hall, R145
  Office Phone:  276.964.7743
  e-mail:  john.hartlen@sw.edu

VHCC Site Coordinator and Instructor:
 Dana Conley-James, OTR/L
 VHCC ISC Building, 310/315
 Office Phone:  276.739.2450
 e-mail:  dana.james@sw.edu  or djames@vhcc.edu