Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (Rehab Assistant)
Learn to assist in the delivery of rehabilitation plans that promote independence and function for patients recovering from illness or injury.
The Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (Rehab Assistant) program at 成人头条 has been accredited by the (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 November 30, 2025 until November 30, 2031.
Changes are coming! Courses and fees are subject to change for Fall 2027.
Proposed curriculum enhancements are designed to strengthen student learning outcomes and ensure graduates continue to meet evolving industry and professional practice requirements, while maintaining accreditation standards. Updated program information, including curriculum details and tuition fees for September 2027, will be posted following the required approval processes.
Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (Rehab Assistant)
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What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Practise as an Occupational Therapist Assistant or Physical Therapist Assistant in a competent, professional, accountable and ethical manner.
- Incorporate cultural safety and humility into practice by effectively engaging with diverse cultural perspectives with respect and sensitivity.
- Utilize evidence-informed rehabilitation knowledge to implement assigned Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy interventions.
- Collaborate as a member of an interdisciplinary team within an evolving health care system.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of an effective practice environment through direct client care, organization and support of rehabilitation services.
- Identify and report relevant information regarding the client’s status and well-being to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member.
- Communicate effectively, through verbal, nonverbal, written and electronic means, with clients, their families, caregivers and other interdisciplinary team members.
- Develop and implement strategies to maintain and improve professional competence, through engagement and reflective practice, within the role of the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physical Therapist Assistant.
- Promote, support and encourage health and wellness for self and others.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (OPTA) Program is 69 weeks in length. It consists of 5 semesters delivered over two years. Year 1 consists of Semesters 1, 2 and 3 and is scheduled from September to June. Year 2 consists of Semesters 4 and 5 and is scheduled from September to April.
Students must complete the diploma within three years of starting the program.
This program is offered on a full-time basis only. Each semester must be successfully completed before the next one can be started. A major emphasis of this program is active student participation. Throughout the program, the instructors will encourage students to become increasingly more self-directed and responsible for their own learning. Students are expected to come to class well prepared for active participation in classroom, lab and clinical activities, including practicums.
Instructors promote an environment conducive to learning through activities such as lectures, pre-readings, guided discussions, debates, audio-visual presentations, group activities, projects, skill-building exercises, role rehearsals, on-line learning, site visits and simulations Students practise and develop their practical skills by practising on each other.
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Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
- English Studies 12 with a minimum 'B' grade, or equivalent
- Anatomy and Physiology 12 or equivalent
- Attending a Program Information Session is strongly recommended.
Upon acceptance to the program:
- Students in this program are required to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC). The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.
- Valid CPR-C certification. Certificate must remain valid throughout the program.
- TB Screening: Students must submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest X-ray dated a maximum of six months prior to the program start date. An additional TB test is required after each potential exposure to TB and/or travel to areas with a known prevalence of TB.
- A School of Health Sciences Student Immunization Record must be completed. Students may be declined placement in a clinical or practicum site if a completed immunization record is not provided.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at 成人头条International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Program Considerations
- Ability to work with people who have physical, emotional, mental health and/or cognitive challenges
- Willingness to provide physical and emotional support to clients
- Ability to perform typical therapist assistant duties
- Patience, empathy and a genuine interest in promoting the independence and well-being of others
- Good observational and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others
- Ability to adapt and respond appropriately to changing situations
- Ability to communicate in a complex, health care environment
- Mature, trustworthy, reliable and dependable
- Basic computer skills – email, word processing, internet searching
Courses *
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with the exception of practicum experiences. Students will be advised of their practicum hours once registered and attending the program.
This 2 years health program consists of 5 terms. The first year has three terms and the second year has two terms. As part of the program, students are assigned practicum placements in both year one and year two.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term One | Credits | |
| 翱笔罢础听1131 | Anatomy and Physiology for OTAs and PTAs | 6 |
| 翱笔罢础听1132 | Health Care and Rehabilitation | 3 |
| 翱笔罢础听1133 | Introduction to Rehabilitation Skills | 5 |
| 翱笔罢础听1134 | Health Promotion and Recreation | 3 |
| 翱笔罢础听1135 | Communications 1 | 3 |
| 翱笔罢础听1136 | Introduction to Professional Practice | 1.5 |
| 颁厂滨贬听1010 | Introduction to Cultural Safety and Indigenous Holistic Health Equity | 0 |
| 听 | Credits | 21.5 |
| Term Two | ||
| OPTA听1235 | Communications 2 | 2 |
| OPTA听1236 | Professional Practice 1 | 1.5 |
| OPTA听1241 | Musculoskeletal Conditions | 3 |
| OPTA听1242 | MSK Principles and Practice - PTA | 3.5 |
| OPTA听1243 | MSK Principles and Practice - OTA | 3.5 |
| OPTA听1244 | Cardio-Respiratory Conditions | 3 |
| OPTA听1245 | Acute Care Principles and Practice - PTA | 3 |
| OPTA听1246 | Acute Care Principles and Practice - OTA | 3 |
| 听 | Credits | 22.5 |
| Term Three | ||
| OPTA听1234 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| OPTA听1351 | Group Principles and Practice - PTA | 1 |
| OPTA听1352 | Group Principles and Practice - OTA | 1 |
| OPTA听1354 | OPTA Practicum 1 | 5 |
| OPTA听1353 | Professional Practice 2 - Practicum Preparation | 1 |
| 听 | Credits | 11 |
| Second Year | ||
| Term Four | ||
| OPTA听2434 | Professional Practice 3 | 2 |
| OPTA听2461 | Neurological and Mental Health Conditions | 3 |
| OPTA听2462 | Neuro Principles and Practice - PTA | 4 |
| OPTA听2463 | Neuro/Mental Health Principles and Practice - OTA | 4 |
| OPTA听2464 | OPTA Practicum 2 | 6.5 |
| CSIH听1015 | Enhancing Cultural Safety and Indigenous Health Equity | 0 |
| 听 | Credits | 19.5 |
| Term Five | ||
| OPTA听2532 | Inter-Professional Practice | 5 |
| OPTA听2533 | Professional Practice 4 | 4.5 |
| OPTA听2571 | Paediatric and Complex Conditions | 2 |
| OPTA听2534 | OPTA Practicum 3 | 8 |
| 听 | Credits | 19.5 |
| 听 | Total Credits | 94 |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 10038 | |
| Student union | 369 | |
| College initiative | 289 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 402 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| 570 | ||
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 1053 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit 成人头条International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, October 26-30.