Course Offerings

Driving and Mobility: The Impact of Aging and Illness on Driving

1 Occupational Therapy CE hour

This evidence-based introductory course is the first of three courses that address driver training, rehabilitation and mobility. This introduction provides a foundation for both the occupational therapy generalist seeking competency in client referral to a driving specialist as well as background for the professional striving to become a driving specialist. The two science-based follow-up courses, one on screening and evaluation methodology and one addressing intervention strategies, allow the learner to gain a greater depth of knowledge and skills in driver rehabilitation and mobility. The courses may be taken individually or together, based on the learner's needs.

Driving and Mobility: Driving Evaluation

2 Occupational Therapy CE hours

The second of three courses addressing driver training, rehabilitation, and mobility, this evidence-based course presents the elements of a comprehensive driving evaluation: the client history, assessment tool selection, clinical assessment, on-the-road assessment, driver counseling, and documentation. The course will assist the learner in integrating data from the history and clinical assessment components to prepare for the on-the-road assessment and will discuss how to present findings and recommendations to the client.

Driving and Mobility: Intervention

1 Occupational Therapy CE hour

The third of three courses addressing driver training, rehabilitation, and mobility, this evidence-based course presents the elements of therapeutic intervention: planning, goal writing, and selection and implementation of intervention approaches to create or promote, establish or restore, retain, modify, or prevent deterioration of occupational performance. The course will assist the learner in the selection, prescription, and installation of adaptive equipment, and the modification of occupational performance, context, and activity demands. Education and training of the driver, outcome monitoring, and discharge planning are discussed.

Driving is Everybody's Business: Part 1

1 Occupational Therapy CE hour

How do occupational therapy practitioners who are not specialized in driving assessment and intervention determine if a client needs a driving evaluation? This presentation provides an overview of crash related statistics pertaining to adolescents, adults, and older adults, and a focus on the driving performance skills important for safe driving. It then presents ways for the generalist practitioner to identify at-risk drivers by utilizing screening tests already being used in the clinic. In so doing the generalist may intervene to improve the basic performance skills or to make appropriate referrals.

Medication and the Older Adult

2 Occupational Therapy CE hours

In order to safely and effectively provide services to older adults, occupational therapy practitioners must understand the medical and functional implications of medication use, especially upon such complex occupations as driving and community mobility. This two-hour course presents basic pharmacological principles, a discussion of how and why medications affect older adults differently from other age groups, a model for understanding various categories of medications, and practical interventions to identify, manage, and prevent drug-related problems. Concepts are specifically applied to interventions for driving safety and participation so that practitioners will understand how to use this knowledge in their clinical practice.

Breastfeeding in the NICU

2 Occupational Therapy CE hours

This continuing education program will provide therapists with evidence-based information about breast feeding and specific techniques designed to increase success in breast feeding. In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), mothers and premature infants have unique challenges with the breastfeeding process despite the infant's increased need for the benefits of breast milk. Due to the teaching role that health care professionals assume in the NICU, they are in a unique position to guide and support mothers through the process of breastfeeding.

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction

2 Occupational Therapy CE hours

Medical errors have been and will continue to be a hot topic in health care. Many courses on patient safety and reduction of errors are designed for nurses and pharmacists, but this course specifically addresses the role occupational therapy practitioners play in patient safety initiatives. Areas covered include: the background of the current patient safety initiatives, a systems approach to reducing errors, a framework for completing a root cause analysis, and specific strategies to use in ones practice to improve safety. A case presentation assists the participant in applying concepts to a clinical setting.

Although this two credit hour course is tailored to fulfill the requirements for OT licensure in the State of Florida, it provides up-to-date information for occupational therapy practitioners living throughout the United States as well as other countries.

Professional Presentations

1 Occupational Therapy CE hour

Occupational therapy and other professionals are frequently called upon to make presentations, often to clients, potential clients, administrators, community groups, colleagues, or other professionals. The ability to make an effective, professional presentation is a skill that is often learned by modeling others and/or trial and error. This one-hour online course teaches how to get your message across successfully. Areas covered include: what you need to know about the audience and context before developing the presentation content, types of presentations, formats for presentations, how to develop the content, how to develop and use visuals and Microsoft PowerPoint® to complement your message, and how to make the presentation.

Is Distance Learning Right for Me?

1 Occupational Therapy CE hour

Many therapists are hesitant to invest their time and effort in an online course without knowing what to expect and whether distance learning will work for them. This research-based course addresses distance learning methodology, the advantages and disadvantages of distance education, the attributes of a quality distance learning program, and the keys to being a successful distance learner.

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Level I (4 hours)

This training program has been approved by the State of Florida, Department of Elder Affairs and is in compliance with Section 429.178, F.S. and Rule 58A-5.0191(9) & (10), F.A.C. for Assisted Living Facilities.

This course will cover:

1. Understanding Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders
2. Characteristics of Alzheimer's Disease
3. Communicating with Residents with Alzheimer's Disease
4. Family Issues
5. Maintaining an Appropriate Environment for Residents with Alzheimer's Disease
6. Ethical Issues and Residents with Alzheimer's Disease

Course number: ALF AD 210. (approval letter)