Program Overview
Graduates will work under the supervision of a Physiotherapist and/or Occupational Therapist to assist in the implementation of therapeutic plans and programs. Graduates will assist in enabling a client’s optimal performance, and help them effectively cope with limitations to function, activities of daily living, leisure and work. If you are the type of individual who welcomes a challenge and enjoys being with people of all ages, a career as an OTA/PTA is a great career path to choose.
Program Highlights
- Utilization of innovative, current and integrated approaches to the role of the OTA/PTA assistant.
- A blend of classroom and clinical/practical learning involving “hands-on” learning.
- Clinical placements within a variety of work settings including hospitals, private clinics, long term care facilities and children’s treatment centres.
Career Opportunities
As an OTA/PTA, you will work for such healthcare providers as hospitals, family health teams and community clinics, mental health facilities, long term care facilities such as Nursing Homes, Residential Care and Senior Assistive Living facilities, rehabilitation centres, and children treatment centres.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus:
- Senior Level Biology (C) or (U)
- Grade 12 English ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4C or EAE4U
OR
- equivalent courses from the Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees program or the Academic and Career Entrance program.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
For more information, see the Admission Procedures document on the Registrar's Office page.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 1
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
OTP101
|
Anatomy and Physiology I
|
3
|
|
OTP107
|
Orientation To Rehabilitation I
|
4
|
|
OTP111
|
Lifestage Development And Rehabilitation
|
4
|
Semester 2
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
OTP200
|
Functional Human Movement
|
5
|
|
OTP206
|
Anatomy and Physiology II
|
3
|
|
OTP202
|
Clinical Pathology II
|
2
|
|
OTP203
|
Communication & Documentation Skills For The OTA/PTA
|
3
|
|
OTP204
|
Orientation To Rehabilitation II
|
4
|
|
OTP213
|
Mental Health In Rehabilitation
|
2
|
Semester 3
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
OTP300
|
Therapeutic Skills - OTA I
|
5
|
|
OTP305
|
Therapeutic Skills - PTA I
|
5
|
Semester 4
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
OTP400
|
Therapeutic Skills - OTA II
|
5
|
|
OTP405
|
Therapeutic Skills - PTA II
|
5
|
Pre-Placement Requirements
St. Clair College has partnered with Synergy Gateway Inc to provide you access to Verified - a platform that is used by students at other post-secondary institutions across Ontario for the purpose of digitally collecting placement requirements related to placement(s). Synergy Gateway Inc will provide support and clearance to help with your required documentation. You will be required to complete an Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) Review through the Verified platform in order to receive clearance to begin your clinical placement. You will be provided access to "Verified" via a secure username and password. You will use Verified to:
- Upload your pre-placement requirements documentation for review.
- Book your Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) service (this is a service that reviews the documents you have uploaded and provides you a status as to your eligibility to begin placements).
- Track your ongoing requirements compliance.
Each student will receive log-in credentials to access Verified that will be sent to your St. Clair College email account. Please check your inbox, spam and junk mail folders for an email from the "Synergy Help Desk". You will be required to create a new password upon logging in. Be sure to view the video user guides and student guidebook to learn how to use the Verified platform.
Any associated fees for Synergy Gateway Inc to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the students:
- Synergy Review Fee: $50.50 + tax
- Synergy Follow-Up Review Fee: $10.00 + tax
It is mandatory that students complete their ERV service through Verified to be eligible for your upcoming clinical placement.
Once your account has been set up with Verified, inquiries can be directed to Synergy Gateway Inc at www.Synergyhelps.com. You will need to submit a Help Desk ticket. Their Help Desk hours are Monday to Friday: 10 am - 3 pm, excluding holidays.
** Please note: If you are an International student completing a placement, you will require a valid COOP Work Permit.
Requirements
(Please refer to your Synergy communications for full details)
Field Placement
Clinical placement is undertaken for a total of 525 hours in two placement blocks during semesters three and four. Placements occur for two seven-week blocks and attendance is 5 days per week (est. 37.5 hours /week). The first placement in semester 3 is typically from early November to mid-December and the second placement in semester 4 is from mid-March to the end of April.
This is to make you aware that, although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, most of our placement sites require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a placement for their program and, therefore, will not be able to complete their programs. Please be advised that COVID-19 booster shots and/or other requirements may become mandatory for placement, however, they are not currently required.
- Student placements are assigned at the discretion of the program.
- Students may be required to obtain further clearances for placement at the discretion of the placement site.
- Student personal requests for placement cannot be accommodated.
- Placements may be outside the Windsor/Chatham area (& could possibly expand throughout the province)
- Students are responsible for their own accommodation.
- Students are responsible for their own travel and all costs of placements.
- Students are responsible for the cost of scrub uniforms/footwear and equipment (such as a stethoscope, a watch with a second hand) and other incidentals as required.
- Placement schedules may include shifts on days, afternoons, weekends and holidays throughout the program based on placement needs and agency availability.
Your Investment
The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:
2024-2025 Tuition Fees
For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses are at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.
Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found on the Bookstore website.
Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.
Smart Start Information
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Program (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 51502)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Communicate appropriately and effectively, through verbal, nonverbal, written and electronic means, with clients, their significant others, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, members of the interdisciplinary health care team and others.
- Participate in the effective functioning of interdisciplinary health care teams to optimize client physical and occupational functions.
- Establish, develop, maintain, and conclude client-centred, therapeutic relationships.
- Promote a safe environment that prevents or minimizes potential physical or mental harm to the client, therapist assistant and others.
- Practice in a legal, ethical, and professional manner within the role of a therapist assistant.
- Document client records in a thorough, objective, accurate, and timely manner within the role of the therapist assistant.
- Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional development activities to maintain and enhance competence.
- Perform the roles and responsibilities of the therapist assistant effectively through the application of relevant knowledge of health sciences, psychosocial sciences, health conditions, resource management, and clinical procedures.
- Contribute to the occupational therapist's or physiotherapist's assessment of the client and the development, implementation and modification of intervention/treatment plans.
- Maximize the client’s occupational performance by accurately and safely implementing the interventions and related tasks under the direction and supervision of the occupational therapist.
- Maximize the client’s physical function by accurately and safely implementing the interventions and related tasks under the direction and supervision of the physiotherapist.