If you are a compassionate and creative individual who is looking for a rewarding opportunity to help people, then a career as an Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant may be just what you’re looking for. With this combined diploma, you may work as an Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), or a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). This program is offered both at the Medicine Hat Campus and online via distributed learning.
The Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physical Therapist Assistant (OTA/PTA) career is aimed at improving patient/clients’ health, movement, and quality of life. As an OTA/PTA, you will work under the direction of Occupational Therapists (OT) to help clients successfully perform daily activities related to self-care, leisure, and work, school or play. You will also work under the direction of physiotherapists (PT) to help provide treatment to help patients recover from illness or injury to improve patient mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or lessen physical limitations. If you are a compassionate and creative individual who enjoys working with people and being part of the health care and rehabilitation team, this program may be a good fit for you. Working with clients of all ages ranging from infants to seniors with a variety of health conditions, you will learn how to use a variety of interventions to help your clients. The activities could range from games or crafts; group activities; exercise for strength, flexibility, balance and coordination; use of assistive devices, and various electrotherapy and physical modalities. Your clients might have conditions such as back pain, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, cerebral palsy, autism, mental health disorders or dementia among others. An OTA/PTA’s responsibilities also include monitoring and recording client progress, and reporting to the OT or PT.
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These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
- Grade12 English
- Grade12 Biology
- Grade12 Science or Grade12 Mathematics
Applicants are required to have a High School diploma with a minimum mark of 60% in each of ELA 30-1, Biology 30, and two grade 12 subjects, one of which must be a 30-level science or math (Math 30-1 or Math 30-2).
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* We make every attempt to provide accurate information on prerequisites, programs, and tuition. However, this information is subject to change without notice and we highly recommend that you contact the school to confirm important information before applying.