Occupation Therapy University or College Program Offers Rewarding Career
Are you looking for an occupation therapy university or college program that is firstly concerned with hands-on training? Look no further than Centennial College’s Occupational Therapist Assistant & Physiotherapist Assistant undertaking, which takes two years to complete and results in an Ontario College Diploma. A student named Fiona describes her field placement during the program: “We really get to work with the patients — patient handling, moving them while they’re in bed, moving their arms and legs, practicing a range of motions. We get to teach them exercise classes, and strengthening exercises. We take what we learn in our labs and apply it in the field. My education here is going to help me in my career goals of being an effective therapist assistant.”
This field placement is a central part of the learning students obtain. During the first experience, the integration of the knowledge and skills of both occupational therapeutic care and physiotherapy modalities are demonstrated. Students are placed within a specific setting. Working along with a preceptor and under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist, students have the opportunity to demonstrate and practice their skills. Fieldwork placement requirements include CPR Level HCP (Health Care Provider) and standard first aid certification, a clear vulnerable police check prior to semester 2, immunization review form and completion of a mask fit test.
Aside from off-campus hands-on training, students develop the knowledge and skills to work with clients in need of assistance to perform self-care, promote movement, improve function and participate in leisure activities. More specifically, students learn to: communicate appropriately and effectively with clients, their families, significant others, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other healthcare providers; participate in the effective functioning of interprofessional healthcare teams; establish, develop, maintain and bring closure to client-centred, therapeutic relationships; document and complete client records in a thorough, objective, accurate and nonjudgmental manner; develop and implement strategies to maintain, improve and promote professional competence; perform effectively through the application of relevant knowledge of health sciences, psychosociological sciences and health conditions; and perform functions common to both physiotherapy and occupational therapy practices that contribute to the development, implementation and modification of intervention/treatment plans, under the supervision of and in collaboration with the occupational therapist and/or physiotherapist.
To apply for occupation therapy, students must have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must possess Compulsory English 12C, or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Biology 11C or U or equivalent. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the occupation therapy training.
Upon graduation, students work as physiotherapist assistants or occupational therapist assistants in hospitals, nursing homes, seniors’ residences, schools, rehabilitation centres, and the private industry.