Technical Standards and Technology Competency
Technical Standards
The following Technical Standards have been formally adopted by the Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College Department of Occupational Therapy. These Technical Standards encompass the technical skills generally expected of individuals practicing in the occupational therapy field and apply to all of the academic and fieldwork/clinical aspects of the Entry-Level OTD Program at Boston University.
Students enrolled in the OTD Program must have sufficient abilities and skills in the areas of cognition, judgment, observation, communication, interpersonal/attitudinal and physical and sensory motor function as described below, and meet these standards on a consistent basis either with or without an accommodation, for successful completion of degree requirements.
Applicants to and students enrolled in the OTD Program should review these Technical Standards carefully. An applicant or student with a disability who may need accommodation(s) to meet the curricular requirements of the OTD Program should contact the University’s Office of Disability Services for assistance in requesting accommodations. The use of a human intermediary may be permitted to assist a student in meeting these Technical Standards provided the person does not play any integrative, evaluative, or other clinical role which would affect the student’s own judgment.
Cognitive
- Problem solving ability sufficient to organize and complete multiple tasks (such as projects and assignments and interventions relating to client care) from multiple courses and/or fieldwork/clinical, accurately and within assigned time frames.
- Adherence to applicable safety precautions and ability to work in a manner that is safe for student and others, and to respond appropriately to emergency and urgent situations.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills, including measuring, calculating, reasoning, analyzing, hypothesizing, and synthesizing information and ideas.
Judgment
- Ability to use appropriate judgment with patients, family members, faculty, and colleagues demonstrating ability to make situationally appropriate, mature, sensitive, and effective decisions.
- Engage in self-reflection and apply feedback from instructors and clinical supervisors to academic and fieldwork/clinical situations in order to develop appropriate strategies for professional growth.
- Generalize and apply academic knowledge to fieldwork/clinical situations.
- Initiate and attend to tasks until completion.
Observation
- Observe and participate in application sessions and fieldwork/clinical experience settings determined essential by the faculty, using sensory modalities.
- Using sensory modalities, observe a patient accurately to assess clinical status, noting non-verbal as well as verbal signals; describe a patient’s changes in mood, activity, and posture; and perceive a patient’s nonverbal communication.
- Accurately perceive and respond independently to an emergency situation signaled by changes in a patient’s appearance, pulse, or blood pressure; verbal, non-verbal, or physical communication of distress; and/or environmental event.
Communication
- Elicit and transmit information effectively and efficiently to others.
- Complete administrative requirements according to protocol and in a thorough and timely manner, such as medical records or treatment plans.
- Communicate with others sensitively, effectively, efficiently, and appropriately in small and large clinical and academic settings.
- Adhere to all applicable requirements concerning the confidentiality of client/patient information.
- Initiate discussion and actively participate in classroom and fieldwork/clinical settings.
Interpersonal/Attitudinal
- Possess the emotional and mental health required to handle an intensive curricula by demonstrating effective coping and time management skills.
- Use intellectual capacity, exercise good judgment, and quickly and effectively respond and adapt to changing environments and the patient’s needs under potentially stressful circumstances.
- Appropriately respond to situations involving pain, grief, death, stress, communicable diseases, blood and body fluids, and toxic substances.
- Effectively work with a diverse client population including persons of various ages, disabilities, sexual preferences, ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Physical/Sensory Motor
- Possess manual dexterity, motor skills, and motor planning sufficient to perform evaluation, treatment, and emergency procedures without injury to self or others, e.g. manipulating patient’s body parts, patient transfers, ADL interventions, or fabricating a splint.
- Possess the physical strength and coordination to perform physically exerting activities, such as lifting and moving heavy objects (e.g. weighing at least 20 lbs.), assisting with patient mobility tasks (e.g. perform 50 percent of physical transfer of patient weighing up to 200 lbs.), and tasks requiring sitting down on and standing up from floor, frequent bending, walking, and prolonged sitting.
Technology Competency
Two courses are completed online each summer. Boston University’s Office of Distance Education offers technology assistance to students. Please visit BU Distance Education for more information.
- Technology plays an integral role in online learning. To get started in a Boston University Online program or course, Distance Education recommends that students have basic computer skills, such as the ability to send e-mail, navigate the Internet, and install software. If you’re unsure about your computer skills, Distance Education is happy to help you get up to speed.
- Curious about what kind of technical components are required for online learning (Blackboard Learn)? You can find out what kind of computer, modem, and software you’ll need by visiting our Technical Requirements page.
- Boston University online students have access to technical support 8:00 a.m. to midnight EST, seven days a week. If you have difficulty accessing course materials, or if you have questions, contact BU’s IS&T Department at ithelp@bu.edu or 617-353-HELP.