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.
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. The police clearance must be less than six months old at the time of commencement of each of the two 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 (chickenpox), Hepatitis B (incl. Hep B titre within the last 24 months) and TB skin test.
- Standard First Aid (online courses are NOT acceptable)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) BLS with AED (Annual renewal is required regardless of the expiry date on the card. Online courses are not acceptable)
- 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 |
|---|
Past Cohorts:
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OTP101 | Anatomy And Physiology 1 | 3 |
| OTP102 | Clinical Pathology1 | 2 |
| OTP103 | Orientation To Rehabilitation 1 | 3 |
| OTP104 | Lifestage Health And Rehabilitation | 3 |
| SSC240 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OTP200 | Functional Human Movement | 5 |
| OTP201 | Anatomy And Physiology II | 2 |
| OTP202 | Clinical Pathology II | 2 |
| OTP203 | Communication & Documentation Skills For The Ota/Pta | 3 |
| OTP204 | Orientation To Rehabilitation II | 4 |
| OTP310 | Psychiatric Disorders | 2 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OTP300 | Therapeutic Skills - Ota 1 | 5 |
| OTP305 | Therapeutic Skills - Pta 1 | 5 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| OTP301 | Field Experience I | 17 |
Semester 4
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OTP400 | Therapeutic Skills - Ota II | 5 |
| OTP405 | Therapeutic Skills - Pta II | 5 |
| OTP401 | Field Experience II | 17 |
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 non-judgmental 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.
Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Program (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 51502) - Effective Fall 2021
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, and 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.