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Dec 21, 2024
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PUBLISHED 2021-2022 Credit Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant
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Program Description
Due to medical advances, a growing number of children and adults with disabilities can lead fulfilling lives. People who experienced an injury or a health condition that impacted their ability to function in day-to-day life can maximize their physical, mental, and social abilities through rehabilitation. Under the supervision of an occupational therapist (OT) or physiotherapist, therapist assistants work with clients with the goal of facilitating their active participation in our society. Therapist assistants also support facility administration by managing therapeutic supplies and maintaining equipment.
You can train to be a rehabilitation therapy assistant at SAIT and gain knowledge in occupational and physical therapy to become a skilled assistant, with a curriculum that meets and exceeds the essential competencies required for support personnel for both OT and physiotherapist professions.
This program addresses key concepts of rehabilitation and healthcare delivery. You’ll have the opportunity to go on observational visits to clinical settings to help you integrate your knowledge of normal physical and psychological function with basic therapeutic skills, and study advanced rehabilitation concepts, common health conditions, and therapeutic skills used in occupational therapy and physical therapy. You’ll also develop advanced therapeutic skills and learn about complex health conditions. This program includes two practicum rotations during which you’ll apply and further refine your classroom and laboratory learning.
Your Career
Graduates find work in a variety of settings including rehabilitation centres, mental health facilities, long-term care facilities, hospitals, schools and private physiotherapy and occupational therapy services in both urban and rural settings. Fast Facts
- This program should be completed full-time
- Program Length:
- This program is delivered in a classroom or blended format
- Full-Time Intakes:
- Practica experiences are unpaid, and at least one placement will occur outside of the Calgary region
- Students require a personal computer with Internet access in order to complete the required courses
- While a desktop computer will facilitate participation in some activities, a laptop or tablet is required to support the CompTracker software that is used throughout this program
Certain courses may be offered through Open Studies during the daytime, evenings, and/or weekends, as well as in a classroom, blended, or online format. All courses must be completed within the program completion timeframe. Please be advised that for the purpose of student loans, full-time student status requires that learners are enrolled in a minimum of 60% of a full course load per semester.
Student Success
Students who experience success in this program and profession: - Have at minimum basic computer literacy
- Possess effective communication skills in both written and spoken English
- Are physically fit and able to lift a minimum weight of 50 pounds
- Have higher secondary or post-secondary grades
- Are self-directed, highly motivated, detail oriented, and well-organized
- Are disciplined for learning in classroom, online, and clinical settings, as well as through self-study required of all courses
- Are professional and flexible
- Enjoy working in a team environment across diverse settings
- Above all, enjoy relating to others
Previous experience working or volunteering in a health or wellness related field is an asset.
Credentials
After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant diploma with both the occupational therapist assistant (OTA) and the physical therapist assistant (PTA) discipline designations. Accreditation
This program is 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).
For more information please contact the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Education Accreditation Program at www.otapta.ca.
Progression
The progression requirement for students taking credit courses is a Term GPA and Total Institutional GPA of 2.0, with the exception of English Language Foundations and Academic Upgrading programs.
Admission Requirements
Completion of the following courses or equivalents with an overall average of at least 60%: - English Language Arts 30-1, AND,
- Biology 30, AND,
- Chemistry 20 or Science 20.
- All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
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