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.