Holland College | Welcome to the OTA PTA program

Welcome, and congratulations on your acceptance into the OTA-PTA program on Holland College's Prince of Wales Campus in Charlottetown. You are about to begin a very exciting and rewarding chapter of your life. You will receive an email from Admissions with instructions on how to pre-register for your courses online before the first day of class.

Classes will begin on September 5, 2023 in Room 224C of the Charlottetown Centre. In the morning, you will be introduced to the OTA/PTA program, tour the campus, and receive the program schedule. You will have your first class in the afternoon of that day.

PROGRAM ORIENTATION

September 5, 2023, 9 a.m. - Noon
Room 224C Charlottetown Centre

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES

September 5, 2023 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Room 224C Charlottetown Centre

For more important dates, please see the 2023/2024 Academic Calendar.

Before you Arrive

Although the program orientation will be in the classroom with your instructors, you will also have access to the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant 23-24 course on SAM. You are required to spend some time becoming familiar with the content. When your program courses become available to you on SAM, you should spend some time reviewing the course syllabus.

Textbooks required for Semester 1
Title / Edition	Author	ISBN	Notes
Understanding Anatomy and Physiology, 3^rd ed.	Thompson	9780803676459	ANAT 1000
Workbook to Accompany Understanding Anatomy and Physiology, 3^rd ed.	Thompson	9780803676466	ANAT 1000
Trail Guide to The Body, 6^th ed.	Biel	9780998785066	RHAB 1140
Trail Guide to Movement, 2^nd ed.	Biel	9780998785059	RHAB 1140
Trail Guide to The Body Student Workbook, 6^th ed.	Biel	9780991466672	RHAB 1140
Principles and Techniques of Patient Care, 7^th ed.	Pierson. F & Fairchild S	9780323720885	RHAB 1150
Measurement of Joint Motion: A Guide to Goniometry, 5^th ed. (Optional)	Norkin and White	978-0803644660	RHAB 1150 - Optional
Journey Across the Life Span, 7^th ed.	Polan & Taylor	9780803698987	PSYC 1110
* These are books for Semester 1 only. Additional texts will be required for Semester 2. **These books are also available in electronic format.

PROGRAM MATERIALS & SUPPLIES

All lab materials and supplies will be provided, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Purchase a good daily planner to help with your time management.

As part of your studies, you will be expected to do practical placements in the rehabilitation industry working directly with patients and other rehabilitation professionals. Your practicum placements may be in any healthcare facility on PEI, where you will be supervised by either an Occupational Therapist, a Physiotherapist, or a Rehabilitation Assistant. In some cases, placements may be in another province in Atlantic Canada. In all cases, costs associated with practicum placements such as transportation, housing, parking, and uniforms, are all the responsibility of the student.

You will be required to have the following in order to do your practical placement:

Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check

You must submit a criminal record check and a vulnerable sector check that was done within three months of the start of your first clinical experience in both years of the program. If the check indicates that a record exists, you may not be able to complete portions of your program that are required for graduation. Any associated costs are the responsibility of the student. The first clinical observation will be in October 2023.

Immunizations

This program, and Health PEI require students to have all immunizations up to date prior to starting the practicum placements. Please ensure that you have completed and sent the Immunization Verification Form for Holland College Healthcare Programs to the Admissions Office. This form is an admission requirement.

To ensure that you meet all the requirements for your practicum placements, begin the immunization process as soon as possible, as it can take a few months to complete all the steps for some of the vaccines. If you are on PEI, you can book you immunizations with the Nurse Practitioner at Holland College by calling 902-566-9392.

The OTA/PTA program has some course activities and assessments that are completed online. Holland College computer labs are available and occasionally booked for course tests. Although courses will be delivered in person in 2023-2024, the following are the general technology requirements students need to participate fully in their program.

Laptop*
Speakers/headphones/earbuds with microphone for listening to audio or videos presented in courses.**
A built-in or external webcam for interacting in course activities
A Home Internet connection
Google Chrome is the only browser that SAM (the college’s learning management system) supports completely.

*Tablets, smartphones, and Chromebooks may allow you to access some course content but have limited functionality and are not recommended. For more information or help with this, email sam@hollandcollege.com

**Note: your laptop may have a built-in microphone and speakers, but we recommend an external set for the best quality of experience during synchronous activities (these are online, scheduled activities).

Keys to Success in the OTA/PTA Program

Professionalism

Our goal is to simulate the professional environment in the classroom. You should come to class with a positive, professional attitude and an open mind, and you should wear clothing that is appropriate for the practical labs. Your full participation will be a key to your success in this program.

Attendance

You are required to attend classes and practicums each day as scheduled. Regular attendance has been proven to have a positive effect on performance. Dependability is of utmost importance to future employers and a good attendance record contributes to you receiving a positive reference from the program.

Work Ethic

Being active in your own learning is a path to success in the program. Managing your time effectively in order to complete the required readings, do assignments, meet with classmates, study course materials, and write exams is very important. We recommend that you purchase a daily planner to help manage your time well.

How many students will be in my class?

The program currently has an enrolment of 24 students, however there may be fewer or more at the beginning of the semester.

Where is the program located?

The OTA/PTA program’s main classroom and lab are located in the Charlottetown Centre (140 Weymouth Street) in Room 224C. There are times when your class will be in other classrooms in the Charlottetown Centre and the Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST), and these locations will be indicated in your course syllabus. The OTA/PTA program is part of the Health Studies Department.

What does a typical class day look like?

This is a full-time study program, so you can expect classes every day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. During the practicum placements in the second year of the program, your schedule will vary depending on the site.

What are my options after I graduate?

Graduates of the OTA/PTA program may begin entering the workforce in either public health or private health clinics. Job opportunities are available in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home care, and private practice clinics in PEI.

If you would like to continue your educational journey, Holland College offers several other programs in the Health Studies Department, and there are micro-credential courses available as well.

Holland College OTA/PTA Program Mission

The mission of the OTA/PTA program is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to become effective members of the healthcare team, promote health and wellness, and improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities or functional limitations.

The Holland College OTA/PTA program strives to provide a learner-centered, experiential approach to education, delivered in a variety of learning environments. The program educates qualified, professional individuals and prepares them to be important members of an inter-professional team in the dynamic healthcare industry.

OTA/PTA Program Vision

Contributing to the health, wellness and quality of life of rehabilitation clients through an innovative and student-centered Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapy Assistant Program. Graduates of the program are competent and compassionate healthcare professionals who provide quality care to clients in various healthcare settings.

OTA/PTA Program Values

Applied Learning

Holland College has a rich history in Prince Edward Island. We honour that legacy by ensuring the skills and applications we offer prepare students to be leaders in their chosen fields.

Innovation

We will ensure our faculty and students have access to the latest techniques, trends and technologies so when they enter the healthcare workforce, they are prepared to assist their clients with both their current and future needs.

Engagement

We will encourage continuous learning, teamwork, and open communication for our students and faculty and staff will model these attributes. Our program and college are part of our greater provincial community and we will continue to be an active member of all communities we operate in.

OTA/PTA Program Philosophy

The philosophy of the OTA/PTA program at Holland College bases its foundation on the overall Holland College Educational Philosophy. See the evidence linked below.

The OTA/PTA program at Holland College is dedicated to the philosophy of holistic patient care, emphasizing the importance of treating patients as individuals with unique needs and circumstances. The program believes the best rehabilitation outcomes are achieved through a collaborative approach involving the patient, their family, and a team of healthcare professionals. The program is committed to providing students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to support therapist assistants in delivering high-quality care to patients. The program strives to instill in the students the importance of ethical practice, ongoing professional development, and cultural competence. The program graduates are prepared to work as part of a healthcare team and make a positive impact on the lives of their patients by promoting their independence, autonomy, and overall well-being.

Please contact us if you have any questions about the program. During July and August, contact the Health Studies main office at 902-566-9564.

We look forward to meeting you in September!

Reta, Karla, Laura and Emilie :)

Welcome to the OTA PTA program

PROGRAM ORIENTATION

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES

Before you Arrive

Textbooks required for Semester 1

Title / Edition

Author

ISBN

Notes