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SCHOOL OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

History
The Baptist Health College Little Rock - School of Occupational Therapy Assistant (BHCLR-SOTA)
was established in 2005. BHCLR is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
BHCLR-SOTA is certified through the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE), and is
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). BHCLR-SOTA
is affiliated with the University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College.

Mission Statement
The mission of the BHCLR-SOTA is to produce occupational therapy assistants who demonstrate
competence in providing client centered occupational therapy services, deliver services in a manner that
demonstrates Christian compassion and concern, and develop to their fullest potential through
participation in lifelong learning.

Philosophy
The Baptist Health Schools Little Rock- School of Occupational Therapy Assistant as an
educational unit supports the Belief, Mission, Vision, Values and Code of Ethical Conduct of the
Baptist Health System. The philosophy of the profession and of the affiliating institution(s) is
shared, consistent and congruent. The School also supports the philosophical base of
occupational therapy which states:

“Occupations are activities that bring meaning to the daily lives of individuals, families,
communities, and populations and enable them to participate in society. All individuals
have an innate need and right to engage in meaningful occupations throughout their lives.
Participation in these occupations influences their development, health and well-being
across the lifespan. Thus, participation in meaningful occupation is a determinant of
health and leads to adaptation.

Occupations occur within diverse social, physical, cultural, personal, temporal, and
virtual contexts. The quality of occupational performance and the experience of each
occupation are unique in each situation because of the dynamic relationship among
factors intrinsic to the individual, the environment, and contexts in which the occupation
occurs, and the characteristics of the occupation.

The focus and outcome of occupational therapy are clients’ engagement in meaningful
occupations that support their participation in life situations. Occupational therapy
practitioners conceptualize occupations as both a means and an end to therapy. That is,
there is therapeutic value in occupational engagement as a change agent, and engagement
in occupations is also the ultimate goal of therapy.

Occupational therapy is based on the belief that occupations are fundamental to health
promotion and wellness, remediation or restoration, health maintenance, disease and
injury prevention, and compensation and adaptation. The use of occupation to promote
individual, family, community, and population health is the core of occupational therapy
practice, education, research, and advocacy” (AOTA, 2017).

Humans are dynamic beings that exist for the purpose of serving God and their fellow beings.
This purpose is fulfilled through the roles portrayed and the occupations in which one engages.
Exercising roles and engaging in occupations satisfies an intrinsic need for socialization and

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