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Ministry-approved title: Occupational Therapist Assistant – Physiotherapist Assistant
The Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program prepares students who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others for a rewarding career in rehabilitation. Through the training offered at Durham College, students will be equipped with sought-after skills to help transform the lives of people with physical, cognitive, emotional and developmental challenges. The Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program is a pathway to a dynamic, impactful and rewarding career in the high-demand field of rehabilitation.
In this dual-trained field, graduates work with occupational therapists and physiotherapists to empower individuals with a range of conditions to achieve their personal goals and help them improve their quality of life.
The Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program helps students gain real-world experience through hands-on labs every semester, complemented by 584 field placement hours through three different opportunities. This combination of classwork and practice ensures graduates can confidently step into an impactful career after graduation.
Graduates become part of a profession dedicated to rehabilitation and improving the overall life satisfaction, fulfillment and well-being of every person they work with.
To apply for the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program at Durham College you will need:
Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. Please refer to Admission Processes for details regarding highly competitive programs.
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In the first semester of the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program, students learn the key principles and practices of the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant professions. Students explore the basics of human anatomy and movement, and learn the various techniques used to help people undergoing rehabilitation. This semester also includes an overview of the healthcare system and how rehabilitation fits into it, while teaching the essential communication skills needed to work effectively with occupational therapy and physiotherapy clients.
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Upon successful completion of the program, graduates can pursue careers in occupational therapy, physiotherapy or both fields. Given Canada's aging population, opportunities in these areas are expected to continue growing, with new roles emerging in a variety of healthcare settings and contexts.
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In this comprehensive two-year program, students gain the skills and knowledge required to become successful Occupational Therapist Assistants and Physiotherapist Assistants. Working alongside other health-care professionals, students learn to support the implementation of rehabilitation treatment plans and programs for individuals across the lifespan, from children to older adults, and across the continuum of care from acute injury through to long-term recovery.
The Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program is taught by experienced faculty with extensive clinical backgrounds and specialized expertise. Through their guidance, students develop the competencies required for a future career in rehabilitation as Occupational Therapist Assistants and/or Physiotherapist Assistants.
Program highlights include:
Upon completion of the coursework and field placement portions of the program, graduates will understand and be able to:
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Between Canada's aging population and the increased focus on health and wellness in society, employment opportunities for Occupational Therapist Assistants and Physiotherapist Assistants are expected to grow. Graduates can pursue a variety of roles and work in a range of settings, including:
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
Your learning experience in the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program will be complemented by a field placement in the second, third and fourth semesters. The field placement will allow you to practice your skills and strengthen your abilities under the guidance of an experienced Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy mentor. The placement in the fourth semester will extend into May.
For the field placement portion of the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program, there are several requirements which must be met in advance. Please begin the process of meeting these requirements well in advance, as it may delay your field placement if you do not have them.
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV), immunizations, lab tests and certifications. These costs include:
It is required that students have completed the ERV with Verified to be eligible for all field placement components of this program. Prior to each placement you must (at your expense) provide:
Links:
If you want to continue your education after you complete the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Program, you may be eligible to transfer your academic credits toward other certifications or degrees. Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant course based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3 RAM: 4GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.
The Occupational Therapist Assistant & Physiotherapist Assistant Program Durham College has completed the accreditation review process administered 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 – Fully Compliant was awarded to the program for the period until April 30, 2032.
Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Education Accreditation Program, Suite 26, 509 Commissioners Road West, London, Ontario, N6J 1Y5, (226) 636-0632, www.otapta.ca.
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