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Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (Rehab Assistant)

CREDENTIAL: Diploma
START DATES

Learn to assist in the delivery of rehabilitation plans that promote independence and function for patients recovering from illness or injury.

Tuition: 9460*
Credential: Diploma
Length: 2 0 years
Hours: Full-time
Delivery: Class-based
Program Flyer: Download
Campus: Broadway Broadway
Start Dates: Sep
 
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Attend an Information Session

Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.

Entrance award

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

 

ENTRANCE AWARDS

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

Learn more

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

This program has been 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). The status of Accreditation was granted to the program on November 30, 2019 for the period until November 30, 2025. 
Contact information: Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Education Accreditation Program, c/o Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada, Suite 26, 509 Commissioners Road West, London, Ontario, N6J 1Y5, (226) 636-0632, www.otapta.ca

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.

Campus virtual tour

Explore labs and classrooms at VCC's Health Sciences building

campus virtual tour of Broadway campus, Building B

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. 
  • Current (within 6 months) CPR course – Health Care Provider level
  • Submission of a negative Tuberculosis (TB) Skin test. If the TB Skin Test is positive, proof of a negative TB chest x-ray is required. Clinical Facilities may decline individual students for their placement if a student is unable to provide proof of immunization or satisfactory serum titers and TB screening.
  • A completed Immunization Record. Immunizations for the following are strongly recommended, and may be required for practicum placements:
    • Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT)
    • Polio
    • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
    • Varicella (chicken pox)
    • Hepatitis B
    • Influenza (Flu vaccine) - required annually
    • COVID-19

General

  • This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC 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.

Recommended Characteristics

  • 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.

Fees and other costs *

Tuition Deposit

0 (0 non-refundable)

Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Fee descriptionFee AmountNotes
Application fee36
Tuition Tuition 9460
Student union341
College initiative272
Materials0 not including textbooks
Campus resource379
Laundry0
Tools (deposit)0
Coverall (deposit)0
Uniform (deposit)0
Medical and Dental 550
Temporary Medical Insurance 0
U-PASS 992
Graduation45
Program-specific extra fees0
Total
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. For information and prices, visit the VCC Bookstore.

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Sep 2025
(Fall term)
September 20, 2024
ONLINE
You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC
Get started
MAIL
Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5
VCC longhouse logo dark green

Attend an Information Session

Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.

Entrance award

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

 

ENTRANCE AWARDS

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

Learn more

Ask a question


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