Purpose

The Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (Rehab Assistant) Program is designed to prepare students to workas Occupational Therapist Assistants (OTAs) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs). Under the direction andsupervision of an Occupational Therapist and/or Physical Therapist, graduates will provide client-centered care thatpromotes and maintains the physical, emotional, cognitive, mental and social well-being of clients.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will have the skills, knowledge and attitudes to work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, continuing care facilities, the community and private practice.

Duration

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.  

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

1. Practise as an Occupational Therapist Assistant or Physical Therapist Assistant in a competent, professional, accountable and ethical manner.

2. Utilize evidence-informed rehabilitation knowledge to implement assigned Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy interventions.

3. Collaborate as a member of an interdisciplinary team within an evolving health care system.

4. Contribute to the development and maintenance of an effective practice environment through direct client care, organization and support of rehabilitation services.

5. Identify and report relevant information regarding the client’s status and well-being to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member.

6. Communicate effectively, through verbal, nonverbal, written and electronic means, with clients, their families, caregivers and other interdisciplinary team members.

7. Collect client information and complete client records.

8. Develop and implement strategies to maintain and improve professional competence within the role of the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physical Therapist Assistant.

9. Promote, support and encourage health and wellness for self and others.

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
• English 12 with a minimum 'B' grade or equivalent or English Language Proficiency for Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant. Acceptable tests and score requirements are posted on the English language requirements page.
• Human Biology 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent, completed within the last 5 years
• OACP 1108 Medical Terminology 1 with a minimum 70% grade or equivalent
• 50 hours of paid or volunteer experience working with people with cognitive, emotional, mental or physical disabilities as verified by a supervisor, employer or educational institute; OPTA Work Experience Verification form
• Attend a Program Information Session​

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

Program Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Term One		Credits
OPTA 1131	Anatomy/Physiology for OTA/PTA	6
OPTA 1132	Health Care and Rehabilitation	3
OPTA 1133	Intro to Rehabilitation Skills	5
OPTA 1134	Health Promotion & Recreation	3
OPTA 1135	Communications 1	3
OPTA 1136	Intro to Professional Practice	1.5
	Credits	21.5
Term Two
OPTA 1231	Conditions 1	2
OPTA 1232	Physical Therapist Assistant 1	4
OPTA 1233	Occupational Therapist Asst 1	4
OPTA 1234	Lifespan Development	3
OPTA 1235	Communications 2	2
OPTA 1236	Professional Practice 1	1.5
	Credits	16.5
Term Three
OPTA 1331	Conditions 2	3
OPTA 1332	Physical Therapist Asst 2	2.5
OPTA 1333	Occupational Therapist Asst 2	2.5
OPTA 1334	Professional Practice 2	1.5
OPTA 1335	Practicum 1	7
	Credits	16.5
Second Year
Term Four
OPTA 2431	Conditions 3	2
OPTA 2432	Physical Therapist Asst 3	4
OPTA 2433	Occupational Therapist Asst 3	4
OPTA 2434	Professional Practice 3	2
OPTA 2435	Practicum 2	8
	Credits	20
Term Five
OPTA 2531	Conditions 4	2
OPTA 2532	Inter-Professional Practice	5
OPTA 2533	Professional Practice 4	4.5
OPTA 2534	Practicum 3	8
	Credits	19.5
	Total Credits	94

Evaluation of Student Learning

Theoretical knowledge is evaluated through quizzes, exams, assignments, group projects and presentations. The evaluation of clinical skills is based on practical skills assessments.

Each semester must be successfully completed before the next one can be started.

The passing grade for all courses is 68%. Courses that include clinical skills require a passing grade of 68% for both the theoretical and clinical components of the course.

Eligibility for the practicum courses is dependent upon the successful completion of all of the other courses within that term. A Satisfactory grade is required for all practicum courses.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.

Transcript of Achievement

The evaluation of learning outcomes for each student is prepared by the instructor and reported to the Student Records Department at the completion of semesters.

The transcript typically shows a letter grade for each course. The grade point equivalent for a course is obtained from letter grades as follows:

Grading Standard

Transcript of Achievement

Grade	Percentage	Description	Grade Point Equivalency
A+	90-100		4.33
A	85-89		4.00
A-	80-84		3.67
B+	76-79		3.33
B	72-75		3.00
B-	68-71		2.67
C+	64-67		2.33
C	60-63		2.00
C-	55-59		1.67
D	50-54		1.00
F	0-49	Failing Grade	0.00
S	70 or greater	Satisfactory – student has met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
U		Unsatisfactory – student has not met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
I		Incomplete	N/A
IP		Course in Progress	N/A
W		Withdrawal	N/A
Course Standings
R		Audit. No Credits	N/A
EX		Exempt. Credit Granted	N/A
TC		Transfer Credit	N/A

Grade Point Average (GPA)

1. The course grade points shall be calculated as the product of the course credit value and the grade value.

2. The GPA shall be calculated by dividing the total number of achieved course grade points by the total number of assigned course credit values. This cumulative GPA shall be determined and stated on the Transcript at the end of each Program level or semester.

3. Grades shall be assigned to repeated courses in the same manner as courses taken only once. For the purpose of GPA calculation of grades for repeated courses, they will be included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.