| If you are passionate about encouraging people | | | | wide range of settings such as: hospitals, nursing |
| and have the patience to understand that | | | | homes, seniors' residences, schools, rehabilitation |
| sometimes progress might be slow, you may be | | | | centres, and the private industry. This is done |
| well suited for a career as an occupational | | | | through training such as learning to document and |
| therapist assistant/physiotherapist assistant. In this | | | | complete client records, develop and implement |
| role, you will be vital in helping developmentally and | | | | strategies that will benefit clients and formulate |
| physically challenged people to gain the skills they | | | | exercise plans. Students also obtain a relevant |
| need to attain independence and a better quality | | | | knowledge of health sciences, psychosociological |
| of life. | | | | sciences and health conditions. Aside from |
| Occupational therapy assistants and physiotherapy | | | | in-classroom learning, students participate in a |
| assistants work under registered occupational | | | | fieldwork experience that provides the |
| therapists and physiotherapists to support a | | | | opportunity for application of skills in a clinical |
| variety of people. Whether the person has lost his | | | | setting with a range of clients. |
| or her ability to function because of an injury, the | | | | Centennial College expects students applying for |
| aging process, or a developmental or emotional | | | | admission to present at minimum an Ontario |
| disability, it is vital to help him or her attain a | | | | Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent |
| normalcy in life. Therefore, aside from being | | | | or be 19 years of age or older. Possession of |
| encouraging, occupational therapist assistants | | | | minimum admission requirements does not |
| (OTAs) and physiotherapist assistants (PTAs) | | | | guarantee admission. In addition, students must |
| must possess some specific traits. First, they | | | | also possess: Compulsory English 12C, or U or |
| must be able to respect and care about the | | | | skills assessment, or equivalent and Biology 11C or |
| uniqueness of individuals. People in this profession | | | | U or equivalent. There are also important |
| may work with the elderly, who may not be as | | | | fieldwork placement requirements, such as: CPR |
| motivated to go on or perhaps with people who | | | | Level HCP (Health Care Provider) and standard |
| don't speak the language or maybe even children | | | | first aid certification, a clear vulnerable police |
| who have had a traumatizing experience and are | | | | check prior to semester 2, immunization review |
| acting out. The assistant must respect these | | | | form and completion of a mask fit test. |
| people and not lose his or her cool when | | | | Upon graduation, students are ready to work as a |
| treatment becomes difficult. This goes | | | | physiotherapist assistant or an occupational |
| hand-in-hand with having the ability to | | | | therapist assistant. Both jobs include shared tasks |
| communicate. Physiotherapist assistants and | | | | such as: conducting initial interviews with patients, |
| occupational therapist assistants must know how | | | | carrying out observations, updating client records, |
| to effectively deal with a variety of people. Also, | | | | supporting clients in reaching their goals, assisting |
| critical thinking and decision-making are required. | | | | with physical activity and exercises, and keeping |
| You must make quick, informed decisions after | | | | work areas tidy. But what is the difference |
| critically assessing the situation and patient. Lastly, | | | | between the two professions? Occupational |
| due to the nature of the profession, OTAs and | | | | therapist assistants deal with treatment that helps |
| PTAs must be able to tolerate regular physical | | | | individuals improve their ability to perform daily |
| activity. | | | | activities, such as dressing or feeding themselves. |
| Attending a diploma program, such as Centennial | | | | Physiotherapist assistants focus on the large |
| College's Occupational Therapist Assistant/ | | | | motor functions such as strength, balance and |
| Physiotherapy Assistant program at Occupational | | | | range of motion. Of course, both jobs have the |
| Therapy University, , helps you to attain such | | | | same rewarding outcome of helping people to gain |
| skills. The program prepares you for work in a | | | | independence. |