vcc.ca
OPTA 1354: OPTA Practicum 1
Effective date
September 2025
Department
Occup/Physical Therapist Asst
School
Health Sciences
Description
This first practicum experience provides students with the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge learned in the classroom and labs to the clinical environment at a beginning level. Under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist and/or Physical Therapist, students gain practical experience in either a hospital, clinic or long-term care facility.
Credits
5.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
OPTA 1234, OPTA 1351, OPTA 1352, OPTA 1353.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Practise as a beginner student Occupational Therapist Assistant and/or Physical Therapist Assistant in a competent, professional, accountable and ethical manner.
- Incorporate cultural safety and humility into beginner practice by effectively engaging with diverse cultural perspectives with respect and sensitivity.
- Utilize evidence-informed rehabilitation knowledge to perform introductory skills and implement assigned Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy interventions.
- Collaborate as a beginner member of an interdisciplinary team within an evolving health care system.
- Assist with the development and maintenance of an effective practice environment through introductory direct client care, organization and support of rehabilitation services.
- Identify and report simple relevant information regarding the client’s status and well-being to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member.
- Communicate appropriately and effectively, through verbal, nonverbal, written and electronic means, with clients, their families and other interdisciplinary team members with assistance.
- Contribute to strategies that assist in the promotion of professional competence, through engagement and reflective practice, within the role of the Occupational Therapist Assistant and/or Physical Therapist Assistant.
- Promote, support and encourage health and wellness for self and others with assistance.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 160
Total Hours: 160
Total Hours: 160
Instructional Strategies
Clinical fieldwork
Grading System
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Passing grade
S required on all components of evaluation plan for final S grade
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Reflect |
|
Weekly self reflection as per rubric |
|
Other |
|
Midterm preceptor evaluation |
|
Other |
|
Final preceptor evaluation |
|
Other |
|
Midterm student self evaluation |
|
Other |
|
Final student self evaluation |
Course topics
- 1. Role of OTA and/or PTA 2. Treatment implementation 3. Collaboration 4. Support rehabilitation team 5. Reporting 6. Communication 7. Documentation 8. Professional competencies 9. Health and wellness
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.