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.
Important Information
This is an OVERSUBSCRIBED program. Apply by February 1 to be considered for this program. See Admission Procedures for details.
Field/Clinical Placements
Employers who provide our field placement settings require a clear POLICE RECORD CHECK for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the field placement setting. The record check MUST be obtained by the student at the student's expense. If you are unable to obtain this police clearance by mid September, you jeopardize the opportunity to complete either of your field placements.
Placements may be on day, afternoon or weekend shifts anywhere within Chatham-Kent, Windsor-Essex, Lambton or Middlesex. Students are required to provide their own transportation to the clinical area. The College is not able to guarantee placements in Windsor and/or Chatham or on a bus route.
Police checks and health checks will be required "before placements in semester 3".
Health Requirements
- Medical Requirements Form
- A satisfactory medical exam
- An up-to-date immunization record including tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B (incl. Hep B titre within the last 24 months) and TB skin test.
- First Aid
- CPR - BCLS level C/AED
- N95 Mask Fit Testing
- Flu Shots (Must be done prior to placement)
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
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 families, and significant others, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, other healthcare providers, and others within the role of the therapist assistant.
- Participate in the effective functioning of inter-professional health care teams within the role of the therapist assistant.
- Establish, develop, maintain, and bring closure to client-centred, therapeutic relationships within the role of the therapist assistant.
- Ensure personal safety and contribute to the safety of others within the role of the therapist assistant.
- Practice competently in a legal, ethical, and professional manner within the role of the therapist assistant.
- Document and complete client records in a thorough, objective, accurate, and nonjudgmental manner within the role of the therapist assistant.
- Develop and implement strategies to maintain, improve, and promote professional competence within the role of the therapist assistant.
- Perform effectively within the roles and responsibilities of the therapist assistant through the application of relevant knowledge of health sciences, psycho-sociological sciences, and health conditions.
- Perform functions common to both physiotherapy and occupational therapy practices that contribute to the development, implementation and modification of intervention/treatment plans, under the supervision of and in collaboration with the occupational therapist and/or physiotherapist.
- Enable the client’s occupational performance by contributing to the development, implementation, and modification of intervention/treatment plans, under the supervision of and in collaboration with the occupational therapist.
- Enable the client’s optimal physical function by contributing to the development, implementation, and modification of intervention/treatment plans, under the supervision of and in collaboration with the physiotherapist.