Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant Diploma

NOTE:  Admission for Fall 2020 (Year 1) of the Occupational and Physical Therapy Assistant (OPTA) program is suspended. Applications are OPEN for 2021.

The program prepares the graduate to become an Occupational and/or Physical Therapist Assistant and is delivered over five academic terms. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to work as an Occupational and/or Physical Therapist Assistant. Program outcomes are designed to enable successful transition to the role of the Occupational and/or Physical Therapist Assistant, assisting students to:

• Apply a variety of communication strategies to effectively and respectfully build positive relationships through verbal, nonverbal, written and technological means with clients, families, care providers, and other stakeholders
• Establish positive, effective, and collaborative relationships with an inter-professional team and others to achieve optimal client care.
• Manage time and prioritize competing priorities in collaboration with occupational therapists, physical therapists and support the delivery of effective and efficient practice
• Responsibly advocate, encourage change, and promote the health and well-being of clients, communities, and populations, while applying knowledge and influence within the OTA/PTA role
• Maintain, enhance and share knowledge, skills and attitude through self-reflective practice, relevant goal setting, networking, quality improvement, self-care, and self-directed learning to continue to be lifelong learners
• Practice in a legal, ethical and professional manner demonstrating conduct that meets expectations of members of society and the profession.
• Perform responsibly and effectively through application of evidence-based disciplinary knowledge contributing to the development, implementation and modification of treatment plans while under the supervision and in collaboration with the occupational and/or physical therapist
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the individual’s culture, diversity, and abilities by establishing, developing, fostering, maintaining and bringing closure to client-centered, positive therapeutic relationships
• Collect, document and complete client records in a thorough, objective, accurate, confidential, and nonjudgmental manner. Through effective interpretation and communication of this data, students will participate in determining client progress toward specific outcomes as established in the plan of care by the Occupational Therapist and/or Physical Therapist
• Recognize and apply principles that support safety in the workplace and adhere to all guidelines, procedures, protocols and standards to ensure personal safety and contribute to the safety of others

Note: The Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Red Deer College has been accredited 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 was awarded to the program on November 30, 2020 for the period until November 30, 2026.

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

Year 1

• INTP 102 Anatomy and Physiology
• INTP 104 Healthcare Communications I
• OPTA 112 Introduction to Healthcare and Rehabilitation Concepts
• OPTA 114 Concepts in Mental Health
• KNSS 307 Growth and Development
• OPTA 118 Functional Anatomy
• INTP 105 Healthcare Communications II
• OTA 105 OTA Skills I
• PTA 100 PTA Skills I
• PN 262 Pathophysiology
• OPTA 122 Common Conditions
• OPTA 130 Practicum I (Spring)

Year 2

• OPTA 215 Communication Impairment
• OPTA 222 Advanced Conditions and Function
• OTA 205 OTA Skills II
• PTA 200 PTA Skills II
• OPTA 230 Practicum II
• OPTA 210 Professional Practice
• OPTA 204 Sensation, Perception and Cognition
• OTA 305 OTA Skills III
• PTA 300 PTA Skills III
• OPTA 330 Practicum III

Visit RDC’s Course Catalogue/Timetable to read detailed course descriptions.

Academic requirements:

A minimum of:

• 60% in ELA 30-1 or 75% in ELA 30-2 or equivalent
• 60% in Biology 30 or equivalent; and
• 50% in a 30 level math course (Math 30-1 or Math 30-2, Math 30 Applied or equivalent) or another 30 level science course

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Non-Academic requirement

• Immunization to be completed prior to program start date
• Completion of a pre-admission Introduction to OPTA online module

Additional requirements

• In addition to the above requirements the applicant must provide evidence of current Heart and Stroke Foundation: Basic Life Support Provider Level and Standard First Aid. You must re-certify CPR each year.

Note:  Health Sciences workers are responsible to attain and maintain required health and safety certifications and maintain recommended immunization standards. As a student of a Health Sciences program you also are required to meet these standards of practice. These Health and Safety Requirements do not need to be submitted as part of your application. You are encouraged to become familiar with the requirements as soon as possible to ensure completion prior to program start and before the first day of classes. Once you have been accepted into your program please start submitting these Health and Safety Requirements.  See full information at Health & Safety Requirements.

Note: Prior to entering the program, students should have an understanding of the specific skills that will help bring them success as an occupational/physical therapist assistant. Please refer to More Program Information for details regarding these skills.

Note: It is to your advantage to have basic computer literacy with working knowledge of word processing software.

Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information Check (also known as a Criminal Record Check) including a Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of police information or a criminal record may prevent practicum placement, program completion, professional licensure and therefore affect future employment prospects. It is the decision of each agency or institution to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the police information check.

Note: Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes.

Note: Students must complete a minimum of one third of their practical training in each area (OT or PT) and will be placed in a variety of therapeutic environments, which may include:  hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, private rehabilitation clinics/services, and home care and community care services.

You must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.  Due to the changing nature of health care, students must complete the program within 4 academic years from the term when they were first admitted.  

• Occupational Therapist Assistant
• Physiotherapist Assistant
• Recreation Therapy Aide
• Rehabilitation Assistant