Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (Rehab Assistant)
Learn to assist in the delivery of rehabilitation plans that promote independence and function for patients recovering from illness or injury.
Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (Rehab Assistant)
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Practise as an Occupational Therapist Assistant or Physical Therapist Assistant in a competent, professional, accountable and ethical manner.
- Incorporate cultural safety and humility into practice by effectively engaging with diverse cultural perspectives with respect and sensitivity.
- Utilize evidence-informed rehabilitation knowledge to implement assigned Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy interventions.
- Collaborate as a member of an interdisciplinary team within an evolving health care system.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of an effective practice environment through direct client care, organization and support of rehabilitation services.
- Identify and report relevant information regarding the client’s status and well-being to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member.
- Communicate effectively, through verbal, nonverbal, written and electronic means, with clients, their families, caregivers and other interdisciplinary team members.
- Develop and implement strategies to maintain and improve professional competence, through engagement and reflective practice, within the role of the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physical Therapist Assistant.
- Promote, support and encourage health and wellness for self and others.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (OPTA) Program is 69 weeks in length. It consists of 5 semesters delivered over two years. Year 1 consists of Semesters 1, 2 and 3 and is scheduled from September to June. Year 2 consists of Semesters 4 and 5 and is scheduled from September to April.
Students must complete the diploma within three years of starting the program.ÌýÌý
This program is offered on a full-time basis only. ÌýEach semester must be successfully completed before the next one can be started. A major emphasis of this program is active student participation. Throughout the program, the instructors will encourage students to become increasingly more self-directed and responsible for their own learning. Students are expected to come to class well prepared for active participation in classroom, lab and clinical activities, including practicums.
Instructors promote an environment conducive to learning through activities such as lectures, pre-readings, guided discussions, debates, audio-visual presentations, group activities, projects, skill-building exercises, role rehearsals, on-line learning, site visits and simulations Students practise and develop their practical skills by practising on each other.
Campus virtual tour
Explore labs and classrooms at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½'s Health Sciences building
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
- English Studies 12 with a minimum 'B' grade, or equivalent
- Anatomy and Physiology 12 or equivalent
- Attending a Program Information Session is strongly recommended.Ìý
Upon acceptance to the program:
- Students in this program are required to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC). The CRC must be completed according to ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½'s Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.Ìý
- Valid CPR-C certification. Certificate must remain valid throughout the program.
- TB Screening: Students must submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest X-ray dated a maximum of six months prior to the program start date. An additional TB test is required after each potential exposure to TB and/or travel to areas with a known prevalence of TB.
- A School of Health Sciences Student Immunization Record must be completed. Students may be declined placement in a clinical or practicum site if a completed immunization record is not provided.
General
- Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
- International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
- All ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program. For details, visit ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ International - English Requirements.
Program Considerations
- Ability to work with people who have physical, emotional, mental health and/or cognitive challenges
- Willingness to provide physical and emotional support to clients
- Ability to perform typical therapist assistant duties
- Patience, empathy and a genuine interest in promoting the independence and well-being of others
- Good observational and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others
- Ability to adapt and respond appropriately to changing situations
- Ability to communicate in a complex, health care environment
- Mature, trustworthy, reliable and dependable
- Basic computer skills – email, word processing, internet searching
Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term One | Credits | |
| °¿±Ê°Õ´¡Ìý1131 | Anatomy and Physiology for OTAs and PTAs | 6 |
| °¿±Ê°Õ´¡Ìý1132 | Health Care and Rehabilitation | 3 |
| °¿±Ê°Õ´¡Ìý1133 | Introduction to Rehabilitation Skills | 5 |
| °¿±Ê°Õ´¡Ìý1134 | Health Promotion and Recreation | 3 |
| °¿±Ê°Õ´¡Ìý1135 | Communications 1 | 3 |
| °¿±Ê°Õ´¡Ìý1136 | Introduction to Professional Practice | 1.5 |
| °ä³§±õ±áÌý1010 | Introduction to Cultural Safety and Indigenous Holistic Health Equity | 0 |
| Ìý | Credits | 21.5 |
| Term Two | ||
| OPTAÌý1235 | Communications 2 | 2 |
| OPTAÌý1236 | Professional Practice 1 | 1.5 |
| OPTAÌý1241 | Musculoskeletal Conditions | 3 |
| OPTAÌý1242 | MSK Principles and Practice - PTA | 3.5 |
| OPTAÌý1243 | MSK Principles and Practice - OTA | 3.5 |
| OPTAÌý1244 | Cardio-Respiratory Conditions | 3 |
| OPTAÌý1245 | Acute Care Principles and Practice - PTA | 3 |
| OPTAÌý1246 | Acute Care Principles and Practice - OTA | 3 |
| Ìý | Credits | 22.5 |
| Term Three | ||
| OPTAÌý1234 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| OPTAÌý1351 | Group Principles and Practice - PTA | 1 |
| OPTAÌý1352 | Group Principles and Practice - OTA | 1 |
| OPTAÌý1354 | OPTA Practicum 1 | 5 |
| OPTAÌý1353 | Professional Practice 2 - Practicum Preparation | 1 |
| Ìý | Credits | 11 |
| Second Year | ||
| Term Four | ||
| OPTAÌý2434 | Professional Practice 3 | 2 |
| OPTAÌý2461 | Neurological and Mental Health Conditions | 3 |
| OPTAÌý2462 | Neuro Principles and Practice - PTA | 4 |
| OPTAÌý2463 | Neuro/Mental Health Principles and Practice - OTA | 4 |
| OPTAÌý2464 | OPTA Practicum 2 | 6.5 |
| CSIHÌý1015 | Enhancing Cultural Safety and Indigenous Health Equity | 0 |
| Ìý | Credits | 19.5 |
| Term Five | ||
| OPTAÌý2532 | Inter-Professional Practice | 5 |
| OPTAÌý2533 | Professional Practice 4 | 4.5 |
| OPTAÌý2571 | Paediatric and Complex Conditions | 2 |
| OPTAÌý2534 | OPTA Practicum 3 | 8 |
| Ìý | Credits | 19.5 |
| Ìý | Total Credits | 94 |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½'s Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 145 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 54034 | |
| Student union | 362 | |
| College initiative | 298 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 541 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| 570 | ||
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 149 | |
| U-PASS | 1032 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 3140 | |
| Total |
* Tuition and other fees are approximate and subject to increase up to 5% per year. Students will be required to pay increased rates if the fees change at any time during the period of enrolment in the program. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.
Fees listed are for international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.
Any refunds are issued according to ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½'s international refund policy.