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Ministry-approved title: Occupational Therapist Assistant/physiotherapist Assistant
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of others? The With the training offered in the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program at Durham College, you will be equips you with sought-after skills that can transform the lives of people with physical, cognitive, emotional, and developmental challenges. The Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program is your gateway to a dynamic, impactful, and rewarding career in the high-demand field of rehabilitation.
In this dual-trained field, you will work with occupational therapists and/or physiotherapists to empower individuals with a range of conditions to achieve their personal goals and improve their quality of life.
In the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program, you will gain real-world experience through hands-on labs every semester, complemented by 584 hours field placement through three different opportunities. This combination of classwork and practice will ensure that you can step confidently into an impactful career as soon as you graduate.
Join us to become part of a dedicated profession that is not only about rehabilitation, but is committed to improving the overall life-satisfaction, fulfillment, and well-being of every person you 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.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that 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.
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In your first semester of the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program, you will learn the key principles and practices of the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physical Therapist Assistant professions. You will 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 and teaches you the essential communication skills you will need to work effectively with your occupational therapy and physical therapy clients.
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Upon successful completion of the program, you could find yourself working in either field or both. Given the aging population in Canada, you can expect opportunities to continue to grow, and openings to appear in new contexts.
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In this comprehensive two-year program, you will gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant. Working with other healthcare professionals, you will learn to assist with implementing rehabilitation treatment plans and programs for people of all ages, from children to older adults, and throughout the continuum of care, from acute injuries to long-term recovery.
The Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program is taught by award-winning faculty, who brings with them a wealth of clinical experiences and specialized expertise. With their guidance and teaching skill, you will be well prepared for your future career in rehabilitation as an Occupational Therapist Assistant and/or Physiotherapist Assistant.
Program highlights include:
When you have completed the coursework and field placement portions of the program, you can expect to understand and be able to do the following:
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 the aging Canadian population and the increased focus on health and wellness in our society, you can expect jobs for Occupational Therapist Assistants and Physiotherapist Assistants to grow. Here are some of the roles you might take on upon graduation and some of the places you could find yourself working.
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:
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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 and Physiotherapist Assistant Program at Durham 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 April 30, 2020 for the period until April 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.
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