- Healthcare professionals are required to tolerate regular physical activity throughout the duration of their work day. Therefore, it is recommended that applicants have a high level of fitness when entering the program.
About this program
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Credential Awarded: 2 Year Diploma
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Campus: Welland
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Code: 0195 P0195
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Delivery Length: 2 Years
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Who are you?
- I am a domestic applicant. *
- I am an international applicant.
Your education at Niagara College begins with your application. We're here to help make the process easy!
- Carefully read the Admission Requirements tab to make sure you meet the program requirements.
- Check the Availability tab to see whether or not the program is accepting applications, and what start dates are available.
- Complete an application online through ontariocolleges.ca.
- Our Admissions Office will acknowledge your application has been received and will provide you with your NC Student ID number and details on your next steps.
Sorry, international applications are not accepted for this program.
* Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Convention refugees.
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Register for an Info SessionOverview
Are you passionate about helping those impacted by injury, illness or aging get back on their feet, as a key member of an allied health team?
As an Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant, you ensure the best possible rehabilitation outcomes for children and adults with impaired physical function.
NC Preferred Admission
This program grants preferred admission to qualified graduates from:
For detailed information, requirements and eligibility visit niagaracollege.ca/pathways/.
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Program at Niagara College 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 awarded to the program on November 30, 2020 for the period until November 30, 2026.
Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Education Accreditation Program, Suite 26, 509 Commissioners Road West, London, Ontario, N6J 1Y5, (226) 636-0632, www.otapta.ca.
Courses
| Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANAT1120 | Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| COMM1160 | Communication in Healthcare I | 3 |
| OTPT1101 | Basic Clinical Skills and Theory | 4 |
| OTPT1103 | Rehabilitation Concepts Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| OTPT1110 | Introduction to Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy | 2 |
| OTPT1112 | Functional Human Anatomy & Movement | 4 |
| PSYC1100 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OTPT1104 | Clinical Documentation | 3 |
| OTPT1105 | Clinical Pathology I | 4 |
| OTPT1106 | Therapeutic Foundations for the OTA and PTA | 6 |
| OTPT1108 | Field Placement Seminar l | 1 |
| HLTH1020 | Introduction to Interprofessional Education and Practice | 3 |
| PRAC1107 | Field Placement I | 2 |
| Elective Information | ||
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Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required |
||
| Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OTPT1204 | Ethics and Professionalism | 2 |
| OTPT1205 | Clinical Pathology II | 4 |
| OTPT1206 | OTA and PTA Therapeutic Skills I | 4 |
| OTPT1209 | Field Placement Seminar Il | 1 |
| OTPT1306 | OTA and PTA Therapeutic Skills II | 4 |
| PRAC1207 | Field Placement II | 3 |
| Elective Information | ||
|
Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required |
||
| Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OTPT1308 | Professional Issues Related to the OTA and PTA | 2 |
| OTPT1310 | Field Placement Seminar Ill | 1 |
| OTPT1406 | OTA and PTA Therapeutic Skills III | 4 |
| OTPT1409 | Trends and Issues in Rehabilitation | 2 |
| OTPT1416 | Therapeutic Skills Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| PRAC1307 | Field Placement III | 8 |
Program Outcomes Term: 1244
Communicate appropriately and effectively, through verbal, nonverbal, written and electronic means, with clients, their significant others, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and members of the interdisciplinary health care team and others.
Participate in the effective functioning of interdisciplinary health care teams to optimize client physical and occupational functions.
Establish, develop, maintain, and conclude client-centred, therapeutic relationships.
Promote a safe environment that prevents or minimizes potential physical or mental harm to the client, therapist assistant and others.
Practice in a legal, ethical, and professional manner within the role of a therapist assistant.
Document client records in a thorough, objective, accurate, and timely manner within the role of the therapist assistant.
Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional development activities to maintain and enhance competence.
Perform the roles and responsibilities of the therapist assistant effectively through the application of relevant knowledge of health sciences, psychosocial sciences, health conditions, resource management, and clinical procedures.
Contribute to the occupational therapist's or physiotherapist's assessment of the client and the development, implementation and modification of intervention/treatment plans.
Maximize the client’s occupational performance by accurately and safely implementing the interventions, and related tasks under the direction and supervision of the occupational therapist.
Maximize the client’s physical function by accurately and safely implementing the interventions, and related tasks under the direction and supervision of the physiotherapist.
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
- English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
- Biology – Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U)
Recommended Courses and/or Skills:
These courses and skills may help you succeed academically in this program, but they are not required for admission.
- Health Care – Grade 11 (C)
- Healthy Active Living Education – Grade 12 (O)
- Pre-Health Sciences – Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas program
- Related volunteer or cooperative work experience
Selection and Ranking
Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.
Learn more about admission decisions.
Program Requirements
Communicable Disease Surveillance
- The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of Term 2.
- Please view the CDS Form and Checklist for health requirements at niagaracollege.ca/cdsform/.
- During the first week of Term 1, the Field Placement Coordinator will provide information about the CDS requirement.
- If the CDS Form is not completed your placement, clinic or co-op opportunity will be denied.
Criminal Record Check
- A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) which is less than 6 months old is required at the beginning of Term 2, prior to the start of placement.
- Most employers have instituted this requirement for appropriate field placement and subsequent employment.
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Students will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) in order to be cleared for placement/clinical. Please note, in order to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), students must be 18 years of age or older. If a student is not 18 years of age or older at the start of this program, they will experience delays in progression through the program.
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During the first week of Term 1, the Field Placement Coordinator will provide information regarding the CRC-VSS.
First Aid and CPR
- Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) is required.
- CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) must be renewed annually.
- All certifications must be met and remain current or placement/clinical will be denied and/or the student will be withdrawn from their current placement/clinical.
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Students are required to provide copies of their certification for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at Level HCP (Health Care Provider), Adult/Child/Infant one and two rescuer CPR with AED and first aid for choking including artificial resuscitation using both pocket mask and bag-valve mask. (This program is designed for those with specific health care responsibilities). During the first week of Term 1, the Field Placement Coordinator will provide information regarding the First Aid and CPR requirement.
Transportation
- Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
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Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer/Technology Requirements
Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:
- A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
- Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
- An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
- Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.
Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.
Note: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (learn more)
The technology requirements indicate there is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products. Can I still take my program if I have a Macbook or Chromebook?
For most programs, the recommendation is to have a MS Windows 10 computer (as outlined in the "Computer/Technology Requirements" section on this page) for an optimal experience and for ease of downloading academic software. The reliability of remote connections to college computers and software cannot be guaranteed for Macbook and Chromebook users.
The Microsoft Office suite products that are available free to Niagara College students though Office 365 do have versions that work with Macbooks and Chromebooks, and the majority of internet-based applications will work as well. However, some program-specific software is designed to run on Windows 10, and the successful download of these applications cannot be guaranteed. Our Learning Management System (LMS) at Niagara College is Blackboard, and while students can access Blackboard through an internet browser, for some assignments and tests there is a layer of security that uses a proctored browser. The proctored browser will not function on Macbooks nor Chromebooks.
Students assume the risk of a compromised virtual experience if they choose to participate without the recommended technology.
Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.
All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.
Back to TopAvailability
Domestic Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open
Accepting applications
Waitlisted
Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list
Closed
Not accepting applications
Suspended
No longer offered this term
International Applicants
Sorry, international applications are not accepted for this program.
Pathways
Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program below.
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NC PathwayThis program grants Preferred Admission to qualified graduates of:Niagara College — Pre-Health Sciences – Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees
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NC PathwayThis program grants Preferred Admission to qualified graduates of:Niagara College — Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas (Online Delivery)
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NC PathwayThis program grants Preferred Admission to qualified graduates of:Niagara College — Pre-Health Sciences – Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (OL)
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NC PathwayThis program grants Preferred Admission to qualified graduates of:Niagara College — Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas
For detailed information about these pathway options visit niagaracollege.ca/pathways/.
Did you know?
Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.
Tuition
The below is a tuition fees estimate ( what's this?) for the indicated start term. Tuition fees are set in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities fee guidelines.
Year: 2023-2024
Start Term: Fall
Year 1
Level one $2,900.44
| Fee Type | Fee Cost |
|
Tuition
|
$1,357.49
|
|
Ancillary Fees
|
$1,179.95
|
|
Material Fees
|
$363.00
|
|
Level one Total
|
$2,900.44
|
Level two $2,126.44
| Fee Type | Fee Cost |
|
Tuition
|
$1,357.49
|
|
Ancillary Fees
|
$756.95
|
|
Material Fees
|
$12.00
|
|
Level two Total
|
$2,126.44
|
Year 1 Total: $5,026.88
Year 2
Level three $2,486.44
| Fee Type | Fee Cost |
|
Tuition
|
$1,357.49
|
|
Ancillary Fees
|
$1,111.95
|
|
Material Fees
|
$17.00
|
|
Level three Total
|
$2,486.44
|
Level four $2,199.44
| Fee Type | Fee Cost |
|
Tuition
|
$1,357.49
|
|
Ancillary Fees
|
$716.95
|
|
Material Fees
|
$125.00
|
|
Level four Total
|
$2,199.44
|
Year 2 Total: $4,685.88
Estimated Program Total:
$9,712.76
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