Progression
OTA students must attain a minimum grade of "C" in all general education and major required courses. Failure to do so in major required courses will result in dismissal from the program. A student in good academic standing will be allowed to reapply once to the program.

Program Expectations
Students admitted into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program are expected to comply with the Health Science Program Regulations and Expectations as published in the Academic  Regulations section of the Wallace State College Catalog.

Upon Acceptance:

a)      OTA students are required to submit an annual physical examination form, including proof of Hepatitis B and other vaccination status.

b)      Students are required to submit proof of current CPR certification. Only CPR courses that provide certification for health care providers will be accepted.

c)      Malpractice and accident insurance, available through the College, is required of all OTA students.

d)     OTA students are required to undergo Background Screening and Drug Testing according to Health Science Division policy.

Essential Functions:

• Visual acuity corrected to 20/20 and visual field perception to provide a safe environment for patients and coworkers.
• Hearing acuity corrected to no greater than a 40 db hearing loss at 1000 and 2000 Hz.
• Manual dexterity in fingering and grasping activities and the ability to perform repetitive fine motor actions.
• Gross motor ability to reach, stoop, kneel, stand, walk, and sit.
• Strength to lift at least 25 lbs. frequently and 50 lbs. occasionally.
• Verbal and written communication skills adequate to exchange ideas, detailed information and instructions to others accurately through spoken or written word.  Each health program has requirements specific to success in that program and profession. Some may be more strenuous than the general functions provided here. These are available in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator's Office (256-352-8052) or by contacting the appropriate program director. It is the responsibility of the student to review the standards and, if required, meet with the ADA Coordinator to discuss them.

Immunizations
The administration and faculty of WSCC are committed to the health and welfare of students enrolled in allied health and nursing programs. Therefore, various immunization and medical requirements may be required prior to enrollment in a program/course.

Health InsuranceSome clinical sites require the students to have health insurance.  Due to this policy, clinical site locations may be limited to individuals without health insurance coverage.

Liability (Malpractice) & Accident Insurance
Each student is required to carry liability insurance each semester enrolled.  This is required by Wallace State Community College (all health related programs) and all clinical affiliations.  Malpractice insurance is available through WSCC at a minimal cost of $11.50 per semester, (price is subject to change) and should be included in the students charges at registration each semester. Accident insurance is available through private insurance companies.  See instructor for more information. The student has the responsibility to notify the program director if the charge is not included on the bill they receive for registration each semester.

Pregnancy Policy
If absences occur due to pregnancy to the extent that achievement of course and program objectives is impossible, the student will be advised to discontinue the professional phase of  the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program to be readmitted pending space availability at the next course offering.  Special cases will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Travel
Students are required to travel to clinical sites, which may entail two (2) hours or more of driving. Housing, travel, parking, and meal expenses while at clinicals are the responsibility of the student.

Reporting of Infectious Disease
The Alabama Infected Health Care Worker Management Act (Public Law 201-141) mandates that any health care worker who performs invasive procedures and who is infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or Hepatitis B (HBV) virus shall notify the State Health Officer, or his designee, of the infection. All Health Science Division students are required to follow this policy.

Drug and Alcohol Testing
Wallace State Community College supports the concept of a Drug Free Workplace (as defined by Public Law 100-690) and prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession or use of a controlled substance on any property owned, leased or controlled by the college or during any activity conducted, sponsored, authorized by or on behalf of Wallace State Community College. The college prohibits any form of on-campus (or campus affiliated) use and/or possession of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcoholic beverage by students, which is in direct violation of local, state and federal law.

Students found to be involved in any of these activities are subject to disciplinary action.

Education of Health Profession Students at Wallace State Community College requires collaboration between the College and clinical agencies. Education of these students cannot be complete without a quality clinical education component.  The College shares an obligation with the clinical agency to protect the agency's patients to the extent reasonably possible from harm due to students who are under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol while in the clinical agency. 

The College wishes to ensure that the health and safety of students and patients are not compromised and that clinical affiliation agreements exist to provide students with quality clinical education experiences. Therefore, it is the policy of Wallace State Community College-Hanceville that students enrolling in health profession programs submit to drug testing.

This testing can be announced or unannounced and will occur upon admission and annually thereafter, for cause, or at random intervals. Full guidelines on the drug testing procedure are available from the College's web site.

Background Screening
In establishing clinical affiliation agreements, healthcare educational programs are contractually obligated to comply with the requirements set forth by clinical affiliates. Student enrolled in health care educational program must conform to the rules, policies and procedures of the clinical affiliate in order to participate in clinical learning experiences. It is therefore the policy of Wallace State Community College Health science Division that students enrolling in health profession programs submit to background checks.

The background checks will be scheduled and conducted by a college-designated vendor according to program specific deadlines. Background checks performed by any other vendor or agency will not be accepted. Students reinstated to a program after an absence from program coursework of one semester or more will have to repeat background testing.  The student will be responsible for the cost of the background check.

Students with a positive background check will be denied assignment to a clinical facility. Background checks which could render a student ineligible to obtain clinical learning experiences include, but are not limited to, certain convictions or criminal charges which could jeopardize the health and safety of patients and sanctions or debarment. Felony or repeated misdemeanor activity within the past seven (7) years and Office of the Inspector General violations will normally prohibit the obtainment of clinical learning experiences with clinical affiliate(s). (Students who are unable to resolve a positive background check will be dismissed from the health care program.) Positive findings on background checks can have licensure implications upon graduation from a health program. Full guidelines on background screening are available from the college website.