Occupational Therapist Assistant / Physical Therapist Assistant
Program Overview
This two-year diploma program prepares students to become Occupational Therapist Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants. Through classroom training and practicum experiences, students learn to assist therapists in helping patients perform daily activities related to self-care, leisure, and work. The program covers topics such as anatomy, rehabilitation processes, and therapeutic techniques. Graduates are qualified for careers in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community programs.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Objective:
Prepare students for careers as Occupational Therapist Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants, where they will assist occupational and physical therapists in helping patients of all ages and health conditions successfully perform daily activities related to self-care, leisure, and work, school, or play.
Description:
This two-year diploma program offers comprehensive classroom training and valuable practicum experiences with potential employers in various settings such as hospitals, private clinics, home care, schools, and community programs. Students learn to use games or crafts, group activities, exercises, assistive devices, and electrotherapy and physical modalities.
Outline:
Program Content:
- Anatomy
- Rehabilitation Process
- Health Disorders & Conditions in Rehabilitation
- Growth and Development for Rehabilitation Service Providers
- Therapeutic Processes for Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) and Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA)
- Professional Integration for the Therapist Assistant
Year:
First
Fall:
Introductory Communications for Helping Professionals; Human Anatomy; Psychology; Introduction to Health Care and Rehabilitation
Winter:
Functional Anatomy; Sociology; Rehabilitation Process; Health Disorders & Conditions in Rehabilitation; Growth and Development for Rehabilitation Service Providers
Spring:
Principles and Techniques of Client Contact
Year:
Second
Fall:
- OTA: OTA Therapeutic Processes I; OTA Therapeutic Processes II
- PTA: PTA Therapeutic Processes I; PTA Therapeutic Processes II; Professional Integration for the Therapist Assistant
Winter:
- OTA: OTA Therapeutic Processes III; OTA/PTA Therapeutic Processes IV; Career Preparation for the Therapist Assistant
Careers:
Potential Career Paths for Graduates:
- Health Regions/Hospitals
- Rehabilitation Centres
- Continuing Care Facilities
- Schools
- Community and Government Health Agencies
- Vocational Rehabilitation Program
