Start Date: September
Location: Prince of Wales Campus
Length: 2 Years
Credential: Diploma, Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant
Program Availability: Fall 2023 Term
Canadian Applicants
Waiting list
International Applicants
Closed
Gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to be successful as a rehabilitation assistant. Rehabilitation assistants work under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist or physiotherapist in various healthcare settings.
In the Occupational Therapy Assistant / Physical Therapy Assistant program (OTA/PTA) you'll develop an understanding of the human body, the concept of rehabilitation, and the therapeutic interventions and modalities used to treat various conditions. You'll apply these skills in a clinical setting during your practicum placements, preparing you to enter the field upon graduation.
Students learn strategies to work with individuals with communication disorders, physical limitations, and mental health conditions. Your classroom is specifically designed to provide you with access to the tools and technologies required to address client needs. This mock rehab clinic/classroom is equipped with everything from wheelchairs and walkers to a kitchen and a bathroom so you can put the theories you learn into practice.
Upon completion of this program, you will be able to:
This program is located in the Charlottetown Centre. Take a virtual tour.
The Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program at Holland College is seeking accreditation by the Occupational Therapist Assistant & Physiotherapist Assistant Education Accreditation Program (OTA & PTA EAP) of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada. The program has been granted Candidacy Status, which denotes an affiliation with the OTA & PTA EAP and is a pre-requisite for accreditation of the education program. Candidacy Status does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation status once the program undergoes a full accreditation review. For further information or to contact the OTA & PTA EAP see www.otapta.ca.
NOTES:
Tuition, fees, and other costs are listed in Canadian dollars. International student fees are due on the first day of class.
| 1st Year | Canadian | International |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $6,229 | $12,079 |
| Other Costs | $1,750 | $1,750 |
| Total | $7,979 | $13,829 |
| 2nd Year | Canadian | International |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $4,088 | $9,838 |
| Other Costs | $250 | $250 |
| Total | $4,338 | $10,088 |
| Tuition & Fees | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,352 | $3,117 |
| Lab Fee | $50 | $100 |
| Student Union | $172 | $172 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $420 | $420 |
| Fitness Centre Fee | $80 | $80 |
| Grad Fee | - | $100 |
| Total | $6,074 | $3,989 |
| 1st installment due September 6 | $ 3,276 | $ 2,941 |
| 2nd installment due January 9 | $ 2,798 | $ 1,048 |
| Other Costs | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
| Books | $1,500 | $150 |
| Materials/Supplies | $250 | $100 |
| Total | $1,750 | $250 |
| Tuition & Fees | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $10,582 | $8,191 |
| Lab Fee | $50 | $100 |
| Student Union | $172 | $172 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $1,195 | $1,195 |
| Fitness Centre Fee | $80 | $80 |
| Grad Fee | - | $100 |
| Total | $12,079 | $9,838 |
| 1st installment due September 5 | $ 9,217 | $ 8,767 |
| 2nd installment due January 8 | $ 2,862 | $ 1,071 |
| Other Costs | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
| Books | $1,500 | $150 |
| Materials/Supplies | $250 | $100 |
| Total | $1,750 | $250 |
Course Code:SAFE-1005
An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island. Students examine the legislation, how PEI employees are protected while on the job and the responsibilities of employees and employers.
Credit Values:0
Course Code:ANAT-1000
An introduction to the structure and function of the body in its normal, healthy state. It serves as the basis for understanding pathophysiology and altered body states caused by illness. Students examine individual body organ systems, their components and processes, and how they interrelate.
Hours:3
Course Code:COMM-1220
Effective interpersonal communication skills are essential in the healthcare field in order to establish effective relationships with clients, families and other health-care professionals. In Practice Skills - Communication, developing an awareness of personal communication style and skills is coupled with respect for others and an awareness of cultural diversity in learning how to maintain professional boundaries. The development of active listening, interviewing, verbal and non-verbal communication skills and conflict management skills is achieved through role-playing in simulated clinical situations.
Hours:3
Course Code:ORNT-1120
Orientation to Rehabilitation examines the conceptual framework that supports the practice of rehabilitation and the specific roles of the OTA/PTA within this framework. Areas explored include disability, ethical and professional behavior, teamwork and therapeutic relationships. Medical terminology and clinical documentation practice are introduced as foundational skills and are built upon throughout the program. These conceptual and practical foundations are reinforced by a series of observational visits to selected clinical settings as well as the development of a fieldwork portfolio that will serve as a basis for successful clinical fieldwork and professional employment upon graduation.
Hours:4
Course Code:PRCT-2000
Practicum 1 involves a practicum placement in a clinical facility as well as a short classroom component. Reflective learning tasks are used to reinforce concepts during and after the placement through online discussion board participation. Under the supervision of a licensed physiotherapist or occupational therapist, the learner will apply both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the clinical environment.
Hours:4
Course Code:PRCT-2200
Practicum 2 provides the learner with an opportunity to integrate both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a clinical setting. Demonstration of entry-level occupational therapist assistant and physiotherapist assistant skills will be required.
Hours:10
Course Code:PROF-1130
In Introduction to Healthcare Delivery, the role of the healthcare worker in Canada's changing healthcare system is examined in light of a number of broad trends including the impact of an aging population, ongoing pressures to privatize Medicare services, increased consumer involvement in healthcare issues and the increased emphasis on home care. Special attention is paid to the delivery of healthcare services in Prince Edward Island as learners grapple with the ethical and moral issues surrounding the cost of healthcare, issues of patient rights and the impact on current rehabilitation practices. Effective research and computer skills will be applied to examining these trends in healthcare.
Hours:3
Course Code:PROF-2230
In Professional Practice, reflective learning tasks are used to reinforce concepts during and after Practicum 3. Desired skills and behaviours will be identified to assist learners in developing learning goals and applying ethical practice in their role as occupational therapist assistant and/or physiotherapist assistant. Preparation for seeking employment will also be covered.
Hours:3
Course Code:PSYC-1110
In Life Span Development, all stages of normal human development from conception to death are studied from a developmental psychological perspective with a focus on human behaviour and cognitive, social and personality development. The prenatal, family and environmental influences on developmental psychology and the use of developmental psychological concepts and theories in the application of rehabilitation are also addressed. Personal experiences and observations by the learners are incorporated to help identify the different concepts and stages in developmental psychology.
Hours:3
Course Code:RHAB-1140
Identifying and describing the medical terminology, structure and function of the key body systems involved in human movement is essential in the practice of rehabilitation therapy. Anatomy of Movement is an introductory course on functional movement with emphasis placed on describing and analyzing the functionality of the skeletal, muscular and peripheral nervous systems including gross movements and surface anatomy. Learners develop observational and client handling skills through hands-on experience by palpating and moving the structures of the body to gain an appreciation of the three dimensional nature of the body and its movement potential.
Hours:2
Course Code:RHAB-1150
In Fundamentals of Client Care, safe client-handling techniques and effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills are developed through the integration of theory and practice emphasizing the principles of client-centred care. In the laboratory, safe practices and infection control measures are applied to all activities including the safe lifting, transferring and positioning of clients, using wheelchairs and conducting range of motion exercises. Biomechanical principles in rehabilitation and client monitoring practices are also examined in order to promote safe client contact in the workplace.
Hours:2
Course Code:RHAB-1210
Applied Client Care will provide learners with opportunities to further develop and practice safe client-centred care. Skills-based elements such as wheelchair fitting and maintenance, sewing adaptation, ambulation with gait aids, interventions for people with amputations and client instruction will be covered.
Hours:1
Course Code:RHAB-1230
In Practice Skills - Modalities, the many uses and applications of therapeutic modalities in rehabilitation and client-centred care are practiced in a lab setting as learners focus on the healing process, the physical agents affecting or impeding healing and the client's response to treatment. Learners will draw on their knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology while studying the rationale for selecting and using different modalities ranging from hydrotherapy, ambulatory aids, electrical stimulation, mechanical traction, ultrasound and the use of hot and cold packs.
Hours:2
Course Code:RHAB-1240
In Practice Skills - Occupational Therapy Assistant Foundations, core concepts and principles are explored providing the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) with a solid foundation in the history, theory and basic clinical skills required for providing client-centred care. The relationship between a client's cognitive, visual, sensory or perceptual impairment is examined in relation to three important occupational performance areas: self care, leisure and productivity/work. Activity analysis, grading, environmental assessment techniques and teaching and learning styles are emphasized in developing and implementing occupational therapy interventions to help clients live independently.
Hours:2
Course Code:RHAB-1250
Therapeutic exercise is the most common intervention used in rehabilitation practice. In Practice Skills - Exercise, anatomical knowledge and exercise theories are integrated to provide the rationale for various exercise techniques. Through the use of scenarios, learners will develop the skills necessary to apply and modify exercise techniques safely to meet the needs of clients in response to changes in physical status, or based on direction by the supervising therapist.
Hours:2
Course Code:RHAB-1260
In Health Conditions 1, the benefits of rehabilitation intervention are examined by focusing on a variety of health conditions commonly treated by rehabilitation ranging from soft tissue injuries, bone and joint problems, strokes, to pain syndromes. Using case studies, learners research these health conditions and identify how impairment in body function and structure can limit and restrict a client's ability to perform simple tasks or participate in everyday activities. The emphasis is on understanding medical, surgical and rehabilitation management of these conditions and applying that knowledge to optimize client outcomes with the parameters of the role of the occupational therapy assistant and the physical therapy assistant.
Hours:6
Course Code:RHAB-2120
In Practice Skills - Mental Health Concepts, the core principles, concepts, and processes of occupational therapy are applied to clients with mental health issues. The occupational therapist assistant (OTA) applies knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses and treatment models to interventions, to promote occupational performance and improve independence while providing client-centred care.
Hours:2
Course Code:RHAB-2130
In OTA Advanced Practice Skills the core concepts, principles and processes of occupational therapy are applied to clients with cognitive, neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions. Splinting, adaption fabrication, activity analysis and meaningful activities for restoring occupational performance in one-on-one and group settings will be practiced.
Hours:2
Course Code:RHAB-2140
Concepts and practice skills of therapeutic exercise and physical modalities from previous courses in the Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant program are applied to both simple and complex health conditions. Focus will be placed on applying interventions as part of a comprehensive client-centred treatment plan in a simulated clinic setting.
Hours:2
Course Code:RHAB-2150
Communication Disorders provide an overview of common speech, language, and swallowing disorders throughout the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on basic interventions and practical strategies that promote effective communication and function with individuals who have these disorders.
Hours:1
Course Code:RHAB-2160
Health Conditions 2 uses a case study approach to focus on a variety of health conditions commonly treated by rehabilitation interventions ranging from neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions to health conditions involving multiple body systems. The spectrum of intervention types are related to the functional impairments associated with the health conditions.
Hours:4
Course Code:RHAB-2240
Practicum Consolidation provides learners with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to integrate the theory and practical skills covered during the Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant program through the completion of a standardized clinical examination and case study presentation.
Hours:1
