1. THERAPIST ASSISTANT DIPLOMA

2. Are you interested in… A Health Care career? Working with people, of all ages? Working with people with injuries or illness?

3. A Therapist Assistant is someone who likes to…. help people improve their quality of life work with a team of professionals spend their days making a difference

4. Therapist Assistant Diploma An Exciting Career! Okanagan College offers a two-year diploma: Four full-time semesters of course work 16 weeks of practical experience in clinical settings

5. Graduates work as Assistants to: Occupational Therapists Physiotherapists Recreational Therapists

6. Rehabilitation Assisting a person to attain their fullest physical, mental, social, vocational capabilities while living with a health related challenge.

7. Therapist Assistants work with people of all ages and different medical conditions such as… Orthopedic conditions ( fractures, arthritic conditions) Neurological impairments (stroke, head injury, spinal cord injury) Diseases associated with aging ( sensory impairments, balance and mobility issues, diabetes) Developmental delays ( cerebral palsy, autism) Mental health problems ( depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease)

8. Physiotherapy Use physical treatments such as exercise, joint range of motion, electrotherapies and education to maximize an individual’s function and independence.

9. Occupational Therapy Assist individuals to develop and maintain independence in life roles and activities at home and in the community following an injury, illness or a disabling event.

10. Recreation Therapy Use therapeutic recreation and leisure activities to bring about positive social, cognitive, emotional, and physical changes.

11. Therapist Assistants work in a variety of settings In Hospitals on the following units: Medical/Surgical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Psychiatry Inpatient & Outpatient

12. Residential and Multi-level Care Facilities Long-term Care Palliative Care Assisted Living Adult Day Programs Outreach Programs

13. Community Care Client’s homes Community: Community centres Shopping Library Appointments etc.

14. Working Environments Child Development Centres At the centre or in the home or school environment Private Practice In the private sector with OTs and PTs in clinical practices

15. Testimonial I just wanted to say how extremely impressed I am with the Okanagan College program – J. is the first OC student I've had, and I have to say I'm continually impressed with the training she has received. You guys are doing an excellent job, and it shows in your students. Physiotherapist supervisor

16. Considering the Therapist Assistant Diploma at Okanagan College?

17. The following slides will give you: An overview of the courses in the program An idea of what students learn and experience

18. Semester 1Semester 2Summer Semester (May –June) Biology 131 Anatomy & Physiology Biology 133 Anatomy & Physiology Practicum I - 4 weeks Psychology 111 Basic Processes Psychology 121 Personal Functioning Practicum II - 4 weeks English 100, or 150, or 152,or 153, or 154 Client Care: Introductory Disease and DisabilityPTA I Communication and Group Process OTA I RTA IRTA II Practicum Preparation

19. Practica Two 4-week practica in a health care setting Implement direct and indirect treatment programs under the supervision of a therapist. Apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed during classroom and lab instruction.

20. Testimonial Just wanted to let you know that I'm having a blast here at Aberdeen Hospital. The staff is great and the residents are terrific, too … the staff are surprised at the stuff that we have done as well as the stuff that we have to do in the up coming year... I wanted to share this with you because after hearing this, I am very proud to be apart of the OC Therapist Assistant Diploma program! :) 1 st year student on practicum

21. Semester 3Semester 4Summer Semester (May- June) Client Care AdvancedTherapeutic ModalitiesPreceptorship I 4 Weeks Psychiatry & Mental Health PTA IIIPreceptorship II 4 Weeks Gross Anatomy & Kinesiology OTA III PTA IIProfessional Practice OTA IICapstone Project

22. Preceptorships Advanced 4-week placements in Occupational and Physical Therapy settings. Students refine their skills prior to graduation and employment.

23. Testimonial … so far I am still with the child development centre and I have had many job offers this summer. Either way, I am super happy that I went into the program and for the first time ever I can say that I LOVE what I do.... new graduate from the TAD diploma

24. General Goals of the Program Students will observe… Instructors demonstrating safe practices in the lab and classroom Therapists and Therapist Assistants in clinical settings

25. Students will demonstrate… professional behaviours and attitudes effective communication skills with individuals and groups organizational skills, safe practices and problem solving skills

26. Students will practice… skills taught to them in the classroom and in the lab transferring these skills to a clinical setting

27. Academic Admission Requirements Option One B.C. secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes. A minimum grade of 60% in one of English 12, Technical and Professional Communications (TPC) 12, or an equivalent Provincial Level ABE English course. A student without the minimum grade in any of those three courses may meet this requirement by attaining a minimum score of 24/40 (Level 4) on the LPI (Language Proficiency Index Test). Note: Communications 12 is not acceptable.

28. Academic Admission Requirements Option One Continued.. Chemistry 11 or an equivalent Advanced Level ABE Chemistry course At least one of the following: Biology 12 or BIOL 122 or BIOL 124 or an equivalent Provincial Level ABE Biology course. (Biology 12 or BIOL 122 is strongly recommended.)

29. Academic Admission Requirements Option Two One of ENGL 100, 150, 151, or 153 or equivalent BIOL 131 and 133 or equivalent. PSYC 111 and 121 or equivalent. Note To All Applicants: The Therapist Assistant diploma has a demanding course load. Applicants are advised to consider taking one or more of the following courses before beginning the program: BIOL 131 and 133 (strongly recommended), PSYC 111 and 121, one of ENGL 100, 150, 151, or 153

30. Academic Admission Requirements Please refer to the Online Okanagan College Calendar for complete details www.okanagan.bc.ca

31. Other Information… Job Potential Job Mobility Pay Scales Diploma Course location

32. Questions?

33. For More Information Therapist Assistant Diploma www.okanagan.bc.ca/therapistassistant