Essential Functions

Background

Pursuant to Sacred Heart University’s Catholic Identity and Mission statement, the graduate program in occupational therapy at Sacred Heart University welcomes all qualified occupational therapy applicants regardless of age, gender, heritage, ethnicity, race, religion or disability. The graduate program in occupational therapy is in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, including changes made by the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.

Sacred Heart University’s graduate program in occupational therapy is committed to graduating high quality occupational therapists who are safe and proficient in the practice of occupational therapy. The training of students for the complexities of clinical occupational therapy practice requires a variety of skills and aptitudes; cognitive, physical and social emotional. For example, students must search and evaluate a large body of scientific knowledge. Students must also become proficient in a variety of occupational therapy clinical skills such as analyzing occupations, evaluating and providing occupation based interventions and communicating effectively with patients, patient families, members of the community and other members of the healthcare team.

Essential functions are the academic, clinical and interpersonal aptitudes and abilities that allow occupational therapy students to complete the professional curriculum. These essential functions are necessary to perform the clinical skills consistent with occupational therapy practice as outlined by the AOTA’s Guide to Occupational Therapy Practice. Essential functions apply in the classroom, tutorial, laboratory and clinical settings. Students may meet the requirements of essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations. Sacred Heart University graduate program in occupational therapy uses independent clinical education sites that may or may not be able to offer the same reasonable accommodations that are made available by Sacred Heart University.

Application of Essential Functions

The graduate program in occupational therapy at Sacred Heart University selects applicants based on attributes and accomplishments portraying the candidate as highly likely to succeed in the academic and clinical coursework and in the profession. Sacred Heart University must ensure that patients/clients are not placed in jeopardy by students with impaired intellectual, physical or emotional functions.

In accordance with the accreditation standards of the Accreditation Commission for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), the OT program has the prerogative and ultimate responsibility for selection and evaluation of its students, the design, implementation and evaluation of its curriculum and the determination of who is eligible to be awarded a degree.

Admission and retention decisions made by the faculty are based on academic achievement as well as non-academic factors. Students are evaluated to insure that they can successfully perform the essential functions of the academic program required for graduation.

The faculty in the graduate program in occupational therapy at Sacred Heart University identified the following essential functions as fundamental to the curriculum and profession of occupational therapy. Students must be able to perform these essential functions during classroom, laboratory and experiential learning activities (including but not limited to participation in one-on-one interactions, small group discussions, active engaged activities, presentations, clinical lab courses, simulation experiences, group lectures and client encounters) in both the academic and clinical education settings.

An offer of admission may be withdrawn and/or a student may be recommended for dismissal from the program if:

After a student has requested and received reasonable accommodations, they are unable to meet program qualifications including these essential functions
It becomes apparent that the student cannot meet the Essential Functions even with reasonable accommodations
A student signed the essential functions agreement and withheld a pre-existing condition which meant they could not fulfill the essential functions
The requested accommodation(s) would fundamentally alter the nature of the graduate program in occupational therapy at Sacred Heart University, or
The requested accommodation(s) would create a significant risk of harm to the health or safety of others

Essential Functions

Cognitive Abilities & Skills

Demonstrate the ability to be alert and attend in-person to complete 30 hours or more each week for academic, community and fieldwork/experiential activities and an additional 20-30 hours per week preparation
Demonstrate the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, process, reason, integrate, synthesize, apply, retain and understand complex relationships among and between facts, data, concepts and theories within a reasonable timeframe as necessary for practice
Demonstrate the ability to identify, organize, synthesize and integrate material across courses, content areas, resources (textbooks, research articles, health records, interviews, observations, etc.) and practice settings
Demonstrate the ability to apply research, theoretical concepts and clinical reasoning to address client specific goals and participation limitation and provide a rationale for selected intervention
Demonstrate the ability to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information, define problems, identify and implement solutions and evaluate outcomes and be cognitively flexible in order to create effective therapeutic treatment plans
Demonstrate the ability to consistently attend and contribute to academic, community and fieldwork/experiential activities by appropriately and professionally sharing opinions, perspectives, insight and experiences
Demonstrate the ability to utilize effective time management and organizational skills to meet the deadlines for academic, fieldwork and/or experiential activities
Demonstrate the ability to identify potential errors or mistakes in academic, community, fieldwork/experiential activities and take appropriate steps to proactively address these potential errors
Demonstrate the ability to accurately observe, gather relevant data/information from multiple sources, analyze the information and report on the information, in a manner appropriate to the target audience and within a reasonable timeframe as necessary for practice
Understand computer literacy at a level sufficient for word processing, documentation, presentations and other program requirements
Demonstrate the ability to reflect on past and current performance and accurately self-assess areas of strength and areas of weakness; develop a plan to address areas of weakness in order to develop proactive strategies for professional growth and development
Gather, critique and apply relevant professional literature to clinical situations
Identify and solve problems in a timely manner
Organize and prioritize multiple tasks (projects/assignments, clinical activities)
Attend to task completion
Exercise good judgment and adhere to all safety precautions during lecture, lab and clinical experiences
Maintain confidentiality of client/patient information
Apply academic learning to clinical situations
Recall and retain information
Acknowledge limitations and obtain appropriate assistance to provide safe client care
Mathematical ability to understand, calculate and interpret basic statistics tests and measures

Physical Abilities & Skills

Motor

Occupational therapy students must possess a variety of gross and fine motor skills. These skills are reflective of the physical capacities required to perform the job of an occupational therapist in a wide variety of settings. Students must be able to:

Maintain and assume a variety of positions including sitting and standing for up to 3 hours continuously, frequent walking, bending, squatting, kneeling, stair climbing, reaching forward, reaching overhead, turning and movement of the trunk and neck in all directions
Move in and out of positions on the floor (squatting, sitting, kneeling, ½ kneeling) quickly during labs and FW
Demonstrate a variety of motor skills such as crawling, creeping, rolling
Demonstrate speed and agility in order to be able to potentially catch clients, especially children, who might be moving quickly
Climb step stools and ladders to hang equipment
Traverse distances required by the site/facility
Lean over from standing, to assist a smaller client/child sitting in front
Perform manual material handling and manipulation of various sizes and weights including lifting and transferring patients, guarding patients during functional mobility training on level surfaces/uneven surfaces/ramps/stairs, pushing and pulling to provide resistance and to assist in maneuvering patients
Specific requirements include:
- Safely lift up to 50 lbs. independently when transferring and/or performing manual patient handling
- Safely lift up to 50 lbs. independently when handling materials
- Safely lift up to 200 lbs. with assistance
- Safely push and pull up to 200 lbs
- Safely lowering patients to the ground
- Demonstrate adequate bilateral grasp during patient care activities, bilateral gross and fine motor control and strength to perform therapeutic activities, transfers and facilitation of movement, fine motor control to manipulate testing instruments/equipment/writing instruments/computers
- Manually palpate various body structures during examination and intervention procedures
- Balance self and provide support and balance to patients on a variety of surfaces including level and uneven ground, ramps, curbs and stairs
- Have sufficient endurance to continue performing a variety of exertional activities for up to 8-10 hours in-person, on a daily basis, with occasional rest breaks
- Respond quickly to emergency situations by lifting/pushing/pulling patients, applying force to perform CPR and/or assist with transporting patients
- Manipulate objects/equipment of various sizes, shapes, temperatures, smells and textures (e.g. dials, knobs, testing instruments, therapy balls, scissors, clamps, kitchen equipment, bathroom equipment, raw foods, etc.)

Sensory

Visual

Observe patients for the purposes of eliciting information; accurately describing changes in facial expression, mood, activity and posture; and perceiving nonverbal communication
Observe and interpret patient/client movement or occupational performance
Observe client safety during occupational performance (ADLs and IADLs)
Observe client physical and emotional wellbeing (e.g. body language, facial expression, bruising, rashes, facial droop, autonomic changes, changes elicited by medication, etc.)
Observe equipment that monitors patient/client functions (e.g. BP, HR, respiration, pulse Oz monitors)
Observe changes in soft tissue with the application of thermal and electrical modalities (e.g. orthoses, E-stim, iontophoresis, ultrasound, hot packs, cold packs etc.)
Read and view books, articles, assessment manuals, word or PDF documents, electronic medical records, graphics, email and/or video in the classroom, lab and/or clinic
Read and score assessment forms
Observe performance on assessments of motor and sensory-motor skills
Observe faculty and peer demonstrations in the classroom
Observe client responses to environmental changes to ensure therapist safety (e.g., aggression, frustration, anxiety etc.).
Observe client behavior to ensure client safety (client aggression to self, escapism, falling)
Prevent unsafe situations and demonstrate situational awareness

Auditory

Hear and appropriately react to alarms, emergency signals, timers, cries for help, phones, pagers, overhead page
Engage in conversation
Hear heart rate and blood pressure

Olfactory

Assessment of wound and skin integrity and presence of infection
Assessment of client hygiene and continence
Tolerate unpleasant odors of any kind
Smell and recognize safety issues including, but not limited to, food preparation (e.g. burning food, rotting food, etc.)

Tactile & Proprioception

Use appropriate manual pressure when touching clients
Perceive touch information adequately (palpation, MMT, sensory testing, mobilization, facilitation, orthoses, tone, temperature, depth, etc.)
Perceive gradients of temperature for safe application of client applications with orthoses, bathing and cooking activities.
Demonstrate a variety of somatosensory tasks (including for the purposes of assessment)

Vestibular

Monitor one’s own position in space to maintain balance and posture
Driving Simulator – tolerate vestibular input from driving scenarios in the simulator during labs and clinical experiences.
Tolerate changes in head position during intervention
Demonstrate a variety of movement skills to clients, including movement on swings, ramps, sliding, rolling, spinning, rapid movement on level or incline surfaces i.e. scooter boards
Tolerate changes in elevation such elevators, escalators, climbing step stools

Adaptive Abilities & Skills

Implement Infection control measures including the wearing of PPE for 8 hours per day
Withstand exposure to hot and cold temperatures
Work at different heights
Withstand exposure to vibration
Work in confined spaces
Withstand exposure to noise
Tolerate exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, acids, chemicals, detergents, solvents, body odors

Social Emotional Aptitude

Possess the emotional stability to perform in stressful or rapidly changing environments, such as an intensive academic program and a variety of clinical situations, which may involve pain, grief, death, stress, communicable diseases, blood and body fluids and/or toxic substances
Possess adequate endurance to tolerate physically, emotionally and mentally taxing workloads and to function effectively under time constraints, proactively making use of available resources to help maintain both physical and mental health.
Accept suggestions and criticisms and, if appropriate, respond by modifying behavior
Manage stress associated with completing timed written, oral and laboratory practical examines
Interact effectively with individuals, families and groups from diverse social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds in a variety of settings
Possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, caring, fairness, responsibility, concern for others, accountability, interest, tolerance and motivation
Maintain general good health, self-care and hygiene in order not to jeopardize the health and safety of self and individuals with which one interacts
Demonstrate the ability to be self-reflective
Recognize and promptly respond to emotional communications such as sadness, worry, agitation, pain and lack of comprehension of therapist communication

Communication Skills

Communicate both verbally and writing in English effectively and sensitively with peers, faculty, fieldwork educators, clients, team members and client families
Computer literacy sufficient for obtaining professional literature, classroom notes and clinical documentation
Produce and interpret both verbal and written communication, such as policies and procedures, safety precautions, home programs and clinical documentation
Use therapeutic communication, such as attending, clarifying, coaching, facilitating and touching
Advocate for one’s role and delegate responsibilities when appropriate and collaborate within an interprofessional team.
Listen attentively and actively in order to receive and interpret oral communication

Professionalism Skills

Adhere to the policies and procedures of Sacred Heart University as outlined in the OT Student Handbook, the University Catalog and other official program and University documents;
Adhere to the AOTA Code of Ethics, the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework; other professional documents; and the local, state and national legislation governing practice;
Demonstrate the ability to accept responsibility for all actions and take the initiative to learn from and respond to challenges in a mature and responsible manner;
Represent Sacred Heart University, the Master’s Program in Occupational Therapy, the profession of occupational therapy and oneself in a professional manner as demonstrated through appropriate dress, respectful communication/interaction, proper etiquette/netiquette during all learning activities;
Independence with transportation to and from campus, fieldwork sites, service learning sites, field visits etc;
Demonstrate effective time management skills by being on time and fully prepared for all academic, community and fieldwork/experiential activities;
Demonstrate respect, courtesy, maturity, honesty and integrity in all academic, fieldwork, community and experiential activities;
Exhibit a positive, respectful and compassionate attitude for academic, community and fieldwork/experiential experiences including those that require exposure of body parts and palpation of body structures;
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the impact of one’s personal actions on others and modify the impact appropriately;
Demonstrate personal initiative to direct one’s own learning in all environments including completion of responsibilities without waiting for direction or reminders from others;
Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and organize multiple course load/workload needs to complete assigned tasks and responsibilities within specified timeframes;
Be flexible in adapting to change;
Demonstrate professional behavior when dealing with emotional demands associated with pain, grief, death, stress and safety/physical demands of encountering communicable diseases, blood and body fluids and toxic substances and when experiencing heavy course/workloads, fast paced environments; and/or unexpected demands;
Exercise good judgment and attend to issues of safety in all environments;
Work cooperatively and collaboratively with a variety of faculty, staff, peers, community members, fieldwork educators, clients and other individuals and/or groups associated with fulfilling the requirements of the Master’s Program in Occupational Therapy
Demonstrate regular attendance/punctuality in-person as per department policy
Professional, appropriate and timely verbal and written communication at all times
Refrain from using rude tone in any correspondence with faculty, staff and peers
Refrain from making threats or derogatory statements of any kind
Exhibit active and equal participation in group work
Refrain from placing excessive demands on faculty and staff

Student Responsibilities Regarding Essential Functions

Upon admission to the graduate program in occupational therapy at Sacred Heart University and prior to Level II Fieldwork, all students must sign a form acknowledging that they have read and understand the essential functions described and believe that they are capable of meeting these functions
Students must demonstrate the ability to perform, or learn to perform, the essential functions.
Students who may have concerns about meeting these expectations are required to meet with the chair of the graduate program in occupational therapy
If a student feels that he/she requires reasonable accommodation for didactic and/or clinical components of the program, he/she must contact Office of Student Accessibility located in the Sheila Hamilton Student Success Center (JLC’s Main Office: 203-371-7820) with required documentation before any accommodations can be made
Students who have a change in status at any point during their matriculation in the OT program requiring accommodation must begin this process at the time of the status change
Due to the time it takes to properly evaluate a student’s needs and to implement reasonable accommodations, it is recommended that students request accommodations as early as possible. While it is possible that the need for reasonable accommodation may arise unexpectedly, it is preferable to make a request for accommodation at least 30 days before the start of a course or clinical education experience

Students with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities (as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act) may be qualified to study and practice occupational therapy with the use of reasonable accommodations. A student requesting accommodations will be required to provide documentation in the form of testing and/or medical opinions. After reviewing that documentation, the university may require him/her to submit to our own testing and/or medical evaluations. To be qualified for the study of occupational therapy in the Graduate Program of Occupational Therapy, students must be able to meet both our academic standards and essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation. Accommodations should be reviewed and approved by OT faculty in conjunction with the Office of Student Accessibility. Accommodation is viewed as a means of assisting students with disabilities to meet essential standards by providing them with an equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of each course or clinical experience. (Reasonable accommodation is not intended to guarantee that students will be successful in meeting the requirements of any one course or clinical education.)

Use of Auxiliary Aids & Intermediaries

Qualified students with documented disabilities, who are provided with reasonable accommodations, may use an intermediary or an auxiliary aid. Such reasonable accommodations should be designed to help the student meet learning outcomes without eliminating essential program elements or fundamentally altering the OT curriculum. No disability can be reasonably accommodated with an intermediary that provides cognitive support or substitutes for essential clinical skills, or supplements clinical and ethical judgment. Thus, accommodations cannot eliminate essential program elements or fundamentally alter the OT curriculum.

The Occupational Therapy program is unable to make accommodations that impose an undue burden, present a threat to the health or safety of the individual or others, or fundamentally alter the nature of the curriculum, including didactic/classroom components, lab sessions and fieldwork/clinical experiences.