MSOT Additional Policies

Graduate Writing Standards

Graduate level writing is expected of all students in the MSOT program. This includes correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and use of American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual, 7th edition. The Learning Resource Center and the Student Services department offer a variety of resources and assistance to students for improving their writing skills.

Community Service Requirement

MSOT students are required to participate in ten hours of community service activity.

Program Tutoring

The MSOT program offers tutoring available for every student who may sign-up through their Student Central Account to schedule a time to meet with a peer tutor individually or with a small group throughout the program.

Program Student Organization

The Stanbridge Student Occupational Therapy Association (SSOTA)

The Stanbridge Student Occupational Therapy Association (SSOTA) is a student group at Stanbridge University. All students are encouraged to participate in SSOTA to learn how to advocate for the profession of Occupational Therapy, develop leadership skills and serve the community. The MSOT program stresses leadership and occupational justice. The specific goals of SSOTA are the following:

• Encourage collegiality and a sense of community among occupational therapy students.
• Promote awareness of occupational therapy on campus and in the community.
• Support professional development and leadership in occupational therapy students.
• Promote occupational justice in the community.
• Advocate for the profession of occupational therapy.
• Raise funds to use for special events or causes important to SSOTA.

Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE) – Delta Psi Chapter

Pi Theta Epsilon is a national occupational therapy honor society. Using eligibility standards set by the national PTE organization, students are invited to join the chapter if their grade point average falls within the top 35 percent of their class after one term.

The mission of Pi Theta Epsilon is to support the practice of occupational sciences and the practice of authentic occupational therapy by promoting research, leadership, and scholarly activities by its members. PTE sponsors scholarly activities throughout the year.

Professional Memberships

All Stanbridge occupational therapy students are required to join the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). Membership in national and state professional associations will be an important part of the two leadership courses in the curriculum. Membership in these organizations has many benefits for the student. Both AOTA and OTAC have a wealth of professional information on their websites that can be used to deepen knowledge in specific areas of occupational therapy. Other benefits include student scholarships, conferences, and access to peer-reviewed publications. Proof of membership in AOTA and OTAC is required by the third week of OT 5010 Foundations of Occupational Therapy course and must be maintained annually. The program will facilitate membership applications of students.

Most importantly, AOTA and OTAC advocate for the profession at the national and state level.

American Occupational Therapy Association

6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200

North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929

(301) 652-2682

http://www.aota.org

Occupational Therapy Association of California

950 Glenn Drive, Suite 150

Folsom, CA 95630

(916) 567-7000

www.otaconline.org

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

Each student who graduates from the Stanbridge University MSOT program is required to take the national certification examination given by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Students will find information about this examination at http://www.nbcot.org. Students must pass the NBCOT exam before they are eligible to be licensed in the state in which they wish to practice. The MSOT program is committed to a 100% pass rate on the examination by our students. Students will be provided with several study resources and take quizzes and exams to prepare them for the NBCOT exam.

It is each student’s responsibility to contact NBCOT upon completion of their Level IIB fieldwork, and establish eligibility for and apply to take the NBCOT examination. Students who do not pass the examination on the first attempt should consult with program leadership to set up a remediation plan.

Students can learn more about the NBCOT exam at nbcot.org.

Professional Liability Insurance

Students are covered by Stanbridge University for Professional Liability Insurance. The university will provide proof of this insurance to your fieldwork site before you begin your first fieldwork placements. Some fieldwork sites may require a student to acquire personal liability in addition to the university’s coverage plan.

Health Insurance

Students are required to carry health insurance, throughout the duration of their program, at their own cost, and may be asked to provide a copy to program administration or clinical facility.

Human Subject Research Protocol

MSOT students engaged in human-subject research must identify a faculty advisor, complete an Institutional Review Board application, and have that application approved prior to starting the Research.

Student Evaluation of Program, Courses, and Faculty

Each term, students will be asked to complete an electronic survey on each course in the term. This allows students to provide the program with feedback on teaching methods, assignments, and testing. An area for comments will also be provided.

Infection Control and Universal Precautions

Purpose of the Policy:

Universal Precautions will be used to avoid contact with bodily fluids and is a form of infection control. Universal precautions must be followed by all students, faculty, and staff at all times and also when working with members of the community.

Policy Statement and Procedure

1. Hand Hygiene: Before all laboratory activities, students are to use plain or anti-bacterial soap and water before and after touching a peer, faculty, or staff and/or immediately after touching blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, mucous membranes or contaminated objects. An alcohol gel may also be used to maintain hand hygiene throughout the day. Always use hand hygiene before eating, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing or use of a tissue.
2. Use of Gloves: wear gloves at all times when 1) contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated; 2) contact with utensils or kitchenware used by a contaminated individual; and 3) never reuse gloves.
3. Any specimens must be contained in a leak-proof plastic bag labeled “bio-hazard.”
4. Disposable mouth pieces, resuscitation bags, or other ventilation devices should be used, when available for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
5. Any persons with respiratory symptoms must cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or mask (if these are not available, the elbow may be used), must dispose of any used tissues or masks properly and use proper hand hygiene after contact with any respiratory secretion.
6. Students with any exudative lesions or weeping dermatitis MUST refrain from coming into contact with peers, faculty, staff, or community members until the condition is resolved
7. Use of gowns, goggles, masks, aprons: wear these items during any procedure -where you anticipate coming into contact with blood or body fluids, including mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and eyes.
8. Dispose all blood or body fluid contaminated items in a red container labeled “Infectious Waste.” All non-disposable objects used in lecture or lab should be cleaned after each use with an approved disinfectant.
9. The MSOT program does not anticipate using needles; however, students, faculty, and staff should be cautious with all sharp objects and clean the area of injury immediately with soap and water.
10. Any blood spill must be cleaned promptly with a solution of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite diluted with water. A 1:10 ration of household bleach can also be applied.

Appropriate use of Equipment, Supplies, and All Educational Activities

Purpose of the Policy:

Lab space, equipment, supplies, and materials are the property of the Stanbridge University and the MSOT Program and are not to be removed from designated areas.  All educational activities are to be conducted in the presence of a trained and qualified instructor following strict safety guidelines for each laboratory activity.  The purpose of this policy is to maintain maximum use of lab space, equipment, supplies, and materials; secure that lab space, equipment, and materials are utilized in safe and appropriate educational activities; and monitor location of lab equipment and materials. This policy and procedure is located in the syllabus for each course with a laboratory component.

Policy Statement and Procedure

1. All lab spaces and materials are to be used for instructional purposes only and should not leave Stanbridge University unless approval is gained from the instructor.
2. All lab space, materials, and equipment (including splinting, orthotics, modalities, transfers, adaptive equipment, etc.) will be utilized in a safe and appropriate manner in the presence of a qualified and trained lab instructor following the lesson plan for each lab activity.
3. All lab materials and equipment must be returned to their designed storage areas upon completion of the lab.