Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Diploma

Program Overview

Bow Valley College's Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant program prepares students for entry-level roles as therapy assistants in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and therapeutic recreation. The program combines theoretical and practical learning, including hands-on lab work and clinical placements, to equip students with the skills and experience necessary for success in this field.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant diploma program prepares students to work in today's dynamic health care system. This program provides students with a strong occupational and physical therapy assistant background and incorporates essential assistant-level skills in therapeutic recreation and speech-language pathology. Extensive hands-on learning using equipment and technology in the lab combined with practicum placements prepare students to transition seamlessly into a discipline-specific or interdisciplinary role in rehabilitation. This program includes 49 theory credits (735 hours), 11 lab credits (165 hours), and 19 practicum credits (840 hours).

Outline:

Term 1

• ENGL1201 - English Composition (3 Credits): This first-year composition course introduces learners to academic writing and critical thinking.
They read and analyze sociopolitical, cultural, and gender issues in texts with an emphasis on experiences of people whose voices were historically silenced, particularly those of Indigenous communities in Canada. Learners develop strategies to communicate their own ideas and integrate them with those of others by quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing source material. Learners present their written assignments professionally according to APA formatting guidelines.
• IDTP1101 - Anatomy and Physiology for Rehabilitation (3 Credits): Examine human anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and the relationship between the structure and function of body systems relevant to rehabilitation therapy.
• IDTP1102 - Introduction to Rehabilitation (3 Credits): Explore fundamental concepts and theories in interdisciplinary rehabilitation and the unique roles and common practices of occupational therapy, physical therapy, therapeutic recreation, and speech-language pathology.
Analyze the role of the therapy assistant within the interdisciplinary team.
• IDTP1103 - Professional Communication and Collaboration (3 Credits): Develop skills required to collaborate as an effective member of an interdisciplinary health care team.
Explore functional roles within teams, communication strategies, conflict management, and cultural competency. Adapt communication strategies to perform client interviews and develop effective therapeutic relationships in simulated clinical and interprofessional scenarios.
• IDTP1201 - Therapeutic Mobility (3 Credits): Apply the principles of therapeutic mobility within a rehabilitation context, including body mechanics, functional mobility, bed mobility, lifts and transfers, gait retraining, gait aid fitting, wheelchair operation, and seating mechanics.
Complete documentation and reporting requirements.
• IDTP1301 - Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure (3 Credits): Explore therapeutic recreation and models of care that guide service delivery.
Discuss the Leisure Ability Model as a framework to service, with a focus on promoting client wellness through goal-oriented leisure activities.

Term 2

• IDTP1104 - Functional Anatomy (3 Credits): Examine essential concepts of functional anatomy including terminology, the movement of joints during various activities, and biomechanical principles.
• IDTP1105 - Pathophysiology for Rehabilitation (3 Credits): Examine diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of various disorders encountered in rehabilitation.
Apply foundational knowledge in activities of daily living (ADL), posture, seating, supportive surfaces, wounds, pressure, splinting, and orthotics. Assist with the modification and management of ADL equipment, splints, and orthotics, and provide client education.
• IDTP1203 - Therapeutic Cardiopulmonary and Preventative Care (3 Credits): Examine the importance of infection control, limb-handling, and chest physical therapy techniques in rehabilitation.
Acquire skills to position clients effectively to promote comfort and safety in simulated clinical scenarios.
• IDTP1205 - Therapeutic Exercise (3 Credits): Explore fundamental concepts and theories of therapeutic exercise including resistance, balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular exercises.
Assist with the planning, implementation, and modification of therapeutic exercises for individuals and groups.
• IDTP1206 - Rehabilitation Assessment Measures (3 Credits): Conduct functional, range of motion, and strength assessments within a rehabilitation framework of evidence-based, client-centered management.

Term 4

• IDTP2996 - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant Practicum (7 Credits): Learners will apply knowledge and skills in a speech-language therapy setting while gaining experience in the role of the therapy assistant.
Under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist, learners will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate competencies.
• IDTP2201 - Mental Health and Cognitive Function (3 Credits): Examine mental health, cognitive function, and related therapeutic interventions.
Explore the role of the therapy assistant in mental health and cognitive care.

Term 5

• IDTP2101 - Integrated Care in Rehabilitation (3 Credits): Examine typical and atypical motor development and the foundations of pediatric care, hand therapy, and amputee rehabilitation.
• IDTP2401 - Speech and Communication Disorders (3 Credits): Analyze the speech and language pathology framework of practice and the role of the therapy assistant in supporting speech, language, and communication.
Outline typical speech sound development and common sound and motor speech disorders and apply treatment strategies.
• IDTP2402 - Language and Swallowing Disorders (3 Credits): Analyze the speech and language pathology framework of practice and the role of the therapy assistant in supporting language and swallowing.
Outline the sequence of typical language development and normal developmental milestones. Apply treatment strategies for developmental and acquired language disorders, and assist in preparing assessments and implementing dysphagia management techniques.
• IDTP2997 - Recreation Therapy Assistant Practicum (4 Credits): Learners will apply knowledge and skills in a therapeutic recreation setting while gaining experience in the role of the therapy assistant.
Under the supervision of a recreation therapist, learners will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate competencies.
• IDTP2998 - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Practicum (4 Credits): Learners will apply knowledge and skills in a speech-language therapy setting while gaining experience in the role of the therapy assistant.
Under the supervision of an speech-language pathologist, learners will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate competencies.

Practicum

• IDTP2999 - Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Practicum (4 Credits): Learners will apply knowledge and skills in a rehabilitation setting to gain experience in the role of the interdisciplinary therapy assistant.
Under the supervision of an occupational and/or physical therapist or team of preceptors that also includes recreation therapists and/or speech-language pathologists, learners will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate competencies at entry-to-practice.

Other:

The Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Diploma Program at Bow Valley College has Candidacy Status and can now take the next step towards accreditation by the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Education Accreditation Program (OTAPTA). Having Candidacy Status does not mean that the Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Diploma Program at Bow Valley College will be accredited once the process is finished, but the first step is complete. The Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Diploma program has a designated lab to simulate rehabilitation practice in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and recreation therapy. Applicants must be able to work variable shifts and weekends, be on their feet for extended periods of time, use their knees, back, and arms to move clients who have minimal body strength and function effectively in stressful situations.