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
18 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. Orthopedic conditions ( fractures, arthritic conditions)
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 Private Practice
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 Physiotherapist supervisor
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 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
(May –June)
Biology 131
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology 133
Practicum I - 3 weeks RTA placement
Psychology 111
Basic Processes
Psychology 121
Personal Functioning
Practicum II - 5 weeks OTA and/or PTA placement
English 100, or 150, or 152,or 153
Client Care: Introductory
Disease and Disability
PTA I
Communication and Group Process
OTA I
RTA I
RTA II
Practicum Preparation

19. Practica
One three week Recreational Therapy practica in a health care setting
One five week PTA and/or OTA practicum 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 1st year student on practicum
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! :)
1st year student on practicum

21. Semester 3
Semester 4
Summer Semester
(May- June)
Client Care Advanced
Therapeutic Modalities
Preceptorship I
5 Weeks OTA and/or PTA placement
Psychiatry & Mental Health
PTA III
Preceptorship II
Gross Anatomy & Kinesiology
OTA III
PTA II
Professional Practice
OTA II
Capstone Project

22. Preceptorships
Advanced 5- week placements in Occupational and Physical Therapy settings.
Students refine their skills prior to graduation and employment.

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

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

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

26. Academic Admission Requirements
Please refer to the Online Okanagan College Calendar for complete details

27. For More Information on the Therapist Assistant Diploma Program