vcc.ca
OPTA 1246: Acute Care Principles and Practice - OTA
Effective date
September 2025
Department
Occup/Physical Therapist Asst
School
Health Sciences
Description
Building on previously learned knowledge and skills, this course focuses on the practical skills required to successfully assist the occupational therapist and their clients in an acute care setting. The course emphasizes occupational therapy treatments and interventions for clients to promote independent activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) within an acute care setting.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
OPTA 1133.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the role of the occupational therapist and the occupational therapist assistant in acute care settings.
- Apply positioning devices used in acute care settings.
- Modify wheelchairs for clients in acute care settings.
- Respond to clients with altered mental states and challenging behaviours in acute care settings.
- Implement common outcome measures used in acute care settings.
- Perform compensatory and remedial treatment techniques used for clients with cognitive impairment in acute care settings.
- Use strategies to optimize independence with ADLs and IADLs for clients in acute care settings.
- Complete accurate health record documentation based on a simulated client's occupational therapy session.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 30
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 30
Total Hours: 60
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 30
Total Hours: 60
Instructional Strategies
Instructional strategies may include: Lecture, seminar, on-line learning, assignments, problem-based
learning, videos, small group discussions, student-led review sessions, field trips and guest speakers. Lab
activities optimize student learning of the practical skills required to work as a OTA.
learning, videos, small group discussions, student-led review sessions, field trips and guest speakers. Lab
activities optimize student learning of the practical skills required to work as a OTA.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
B- (68%) in both written and practical components of course
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
5-15 |
Assignments |
|
Lab Work |
5-20 |
Lab work |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
40-50 |
Quizzes/tests |
|
Clinical Examination |
40-50 |
Clinical examinations |
|
Participation |
5 |
As per rubric |
Course topics
- Occupational therapy intervention in acute care setting
- Development and prevention of pressure injuries
- Wheelchair positioning and adaptation
- Positioning and supportive devices
- Mattress basics
- Managing challenging behaviours in acute care
- Clients with altered mental status in acute care
- ADL and IADL strategies for acute care clients
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.