Learn to assist in the delivery of rehabilitation plans that promote independence and function for patients recovering from illness or injury.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) is offering the Student Recruitment and Retention Bursary to eligible applicants. Read more to find out if you are eligible for this $2000/year bursary!
Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (Rehab Assistant)
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Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.
Entrance award
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.
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.
This program has been accredited by the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Education Accreditation Program (OTA & PTA EAP) in collaboration with Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC) and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT). The status of Accreditation was granted to the program on November 30, 2019 for the period until November 30, 2025. This program is offered on a full-time basis only. Each 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 VCC'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.
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 VCC'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.
- Current (within 6 months) CPR course – Health Care Provider level
- Submission of a negative Tuberculosis (TB) Skin test. If the TB Skin Test is positive, proof of a negative TB chest x-ray is required. Clinical Facilities may decline individual students for their placement if a student is unable to provide proof of immunization or satisfactory serum titers and TB screening.
- A completed Immunization Record. Immunizations for the following are strongly recommended, and may be required for practicum placements:
- Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT)
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (Flu vaccine) - required annually
- COVID-19
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
- 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 *
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with the exception of practicum experiences. Students will be advised of their practicum hours once registered and attending the program.
This 2 years health program consists of 5 terms. The first year has three terms and the second year has two terms. As part of the program, students are assigned practicum placements in both year one and year two.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term One | Credits | |
| OPTA 1131 | Anatomy and Physiology for OTAs and PTAs | 6 |
| OPTA 1132 | Health Care and Rehabilitation | 3 |
| OPTA 1133 | Introduction to Rehabilitation Skills | 5 |
| OPTA 1134 | Health Promotion and Recreation | 3 |
| OPTA 1135 | Communications 1 | 3 |
| OPTA 1136 | Introduction to Professional Practice | 1.5 |
| Credits | 21.5 | |
| Term Two | ||
| OPTA 1235 | Communications 2 | 2 |
| OPTA 1236 | Professional Practice 1 | 1.5 |
| OPTA 1241 | Musculoskeletal Conditions | 3 |
| OPTA 1242 | MSK Principles and Practice - PTA | 3.5 |
| OPTA 1243 | MSK Principles and Practice - OTA | 3.5 |
| OPTA 1244 | Cardio-Respiratory Conditions | 3 |
| OPTA 1245 | Acute Care Principles and Practice - PTA | 3 |
| OPTA 1246 | Acute Care Principles and Practice - OTA | 3 |
| Credits | 22.5 | |
| Term Three | ||
| OPTA 1234 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| OPTA 1351 | Group Principles and Practice - PTA | 1 |
| OPTA 1352 | Group Principles and Practice - OTA | 1 |
| OPTA 1354 | OPTA Practicum 1 | 5 |
| OPTA 1353 | Professional Practice 2 - Practicum Preparation | 1 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term Four | ||
| OPTA 2434 | Professional Practice 3 | 2 |
| OPTA 2461 | Neurological and Mental Health Conditions | 3 |
| OPTA 2462 | Neuro Principles and Practice - PTA | 4 |
| OPTA 2463 | Neuro/Mental Health Principles and Practice - OTA | 4 |
| OPTA 2464 | OPTA Practicum 2 | 6.5 |
| Credits | 19.5 | |
| Term Five | ||
| OPTA 2532 | Inter-Professional Practice | 5 |
| OPTA 2533 | Professional Practice 4 | 4.5 |
| OPTA 2571 | Paediatric and Complex Conditions | 2 |
| OPTA 2534 | OPTA Practicum 3 | 8 |
| Credits | 19.5 | |
| Total Credits | 94 | |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 9460 | |
| Student union | 341 | |
| College initiative | 272 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 379 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 550 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 992 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Get started
Attend an Information Session
Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.
Entrance award
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.