Physiotherapist Assistant + Internship
Change Your Life with the Physiotherapy Assistant Program!
PTAs can work in most settings where a Physiotherapist provides services. This can include private clinics, community settings such as home care, hospitals and rehabilitation centres, retirement residences and long-term care facilities. A PTA may be assigned to part of the treatment plan. This can include exercises, gait training, use of modalities (e.g. application of heat and ice packs). They will report changes in the client’s status and responses to treatments to the physiotherapist. The PTA may also participate in equipment management (purchase, evaluation, maintenance, inventory).
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Job Market
Potential Career Paths After Completing the Program
- Physiotherapy Assistant
- Kinesiologist Assistant
- Chiropractic Assistant
- Physical Fitness Trainer
- Sports Team Trainer
- Sometimes when seeing employment, Physiotherapy Assistants find job postings listed alongside jobs for Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA’s) according to onip.ca.
Salary Infomation
Physiotherapy Assistants can make on average
$16.29 – $29.59/hr
source: ca.indeed.com 2020
Admission Requirements
Candidates must submit a copy of their Secondary School Diploma (OSSD, GED, or better), if this is not available they will be required to pass the Scholastic Level Exam (SLE).
Candidates must also submit a Pre-Admission Medical Report and Immunizations may be required for practicum.
Program Outline
Intro to Computers & Microsoft Office
This module will provide students with an overview of computer applications, the Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Students will develop the professional skills needed in modern business world through a series of projects and simulations in an interactive digital environment.
Business Communications & Interpersonal Skills
This module will provide students the tools to develop business English and interpersonal communication skills necessary to function in the modern business setting. In addition, this module provides a review of English grammar, sentence structure and punctuation as they apply to business communications. Students will develop effective interpersonal communication skills for managing personal and working relationships. The importance of diversity inclusion and teamwork will also be explored.
Introduction to Rehabilitation, The Healthcare Systems & Ethics
In this module students are introduced to the field of rehabilitation within the Canadian Health Care Systems. Topics include a comparison of the medical model, the rehabilitation model, and the client-centered model of patient care. Students will also learn the rehabilitation principles and goals, the health care system, social services and funding services. The therapeutic relationship, the code of ethics; and moral dilemmas of the health care setting such as patient rights, dilemmas of life and death, allocation of healthcare resources, and special dilemmas of healthcare professionals will also be included.
Medical Terminology, Body Systems & Disease
This module provides students with Medical terminology and basic knowledge of the anatomy, physiology of body systems and their associated disorders. An introduction to pharmacology, oncology, radiology, nuclear medicine, psychiatry and the 24 hour clock will also be included.
Basic Patient Care Techniques, Functional Movement & Rehabilitation
This module provides students with the basic knowledge and skills to interact safely, and effectively with a variety of clientele within different situations. Topics include infection control, safe body mechanics, functional movement, posture and gait. Basic exercise and mobility techniques, safe transfer techniques, safe and effective use of various types of ambulatory aids and patient observation skills will also be included. Students will also learn procedures for reporting, documenting and therapeutic skills such as palpation, and range of motion.
Developmental Psychology & Functional Development Across the Lifespan
This module provides students with the fundamentals of developmental psychology, human development and how it can affect the client base. Physiotherapist Assistants must understand the changes that occur throughout the different stages of aging and those that are pathological in nature. This is especially important as they relate to the Physiotherapy Process. Students will learn how to interact effectively with patients taking into account the therapeutic use of self, how to respond to systems and behaviours, and safety techniques.
PTA Administration & Program Support
This module provides students with knowledge on administrative functions within the clinical environment. Topics include; telephone and reception skills, appointment scheduling, filing, correspondence and mail processing, photocopying, equipment and supply maintenance and how to assist with meetings.
Essential Skills for PTA – Musculoskeletal
This module provides students with a wide range of common musculoskeletal conditions that are encountered in a daily practice. This includes those resulting from trauma, disease, illness, genetics, aging and the environment and the treatment/management for each. Students will develop basic skills in carrying out exercise programs, bandaging, and applying splints, and immobilizers. Assisting with ambulatory aids, setting up slings, pulleys, weights, exercise bikes, and treadmills and recording and reporting information is also included.
Essential Skills for PTA – Modalities & Physical Agents
This module provides students with the key fundamentals on how to assist with setting up, carrying out, and completing patient treatment procedures using a variety of modalities, equipment and Electrotherapeutic modalities. Emphasis is placed on safety issues, precautions, side effects, contraindications, hazards and dangers of equipment. It is highly important to follow through on reporting observations to the supervising physiotherapist. Principles of equipment maintenance and care are also covered.
Essential Skills for PTA – Cardiac, Neurological, Respiratory, & Wound Management
This module provides students with the knowledge and skills required to assist clients with neurological, cardiovascular and/or respiratory problems. Topics include GMF, motor control, postural control and balance. Cognitive/sensory stimulation, vital signs, auscultation, bed exercises, breathing exercises, and postural drainage techniques. Students develop an awareness of the role and boundaries for PTAs when interacting with neurologically impaired patients.
Introduction to Mental Health, Illness & Disability
This module provides students with the fundamentals to assist occupational therapist and physiotherapist within a mental health and psychosocial disabling conditions. Students learn the history and theory of medical and psychological models of mental health and illness, treatment settings, service provision, and common mental health and psychosocial disabling conditions. An understanding of psychotherapeutic medications, and treatment of clinical conditions commonly seen in the psychiatric setting will be included as well.
Introduction to Occupational Therapy
This module provides students with an introduction to the field with a specific focus on Occupational Therapy Assistants and their role in the clinical practice, particularly as it applies to physical dysfunction practice. Topics covered include history and theory related to occupational therapy, the role of the Occupational Therapist Assistant, the Occupational Therapy process, Occupational Therapy evaluation methods, broad aspects of treatment, and selected treatment interventions and treatment applications.
Job Search, Interview Skills & Resume Writing
This module will provide students with the skills to prepare for employment, research employment opportunities within their field of study and be successful in their future careers. Some of the topics included will be the preparation of a resume, interview and cover letter.
This program is approved as a vocational program under the Private Career College Act, 2005.
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