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Physiotherapist & Occupational Therapist Assistant
See yourself working in a sports injury clinic, a hospital or even with an insurance agency? If so, this program covers both the physiotherapy and occupational therapy components, teaching you to effectively assist to heal patients to reach their full potential.
Downtown
North York
Program Duration
Full Time: 74 weeksIn-class schedule: Monday to Friday
Practicum Duration
15 weeksFinancial Aid
Various payment options. Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify.PHYSIOTHERAPIST AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT DIPLOMA
As a skilled Physiotherapist Therapy Assistant (PTA), you work under the direction of a licensed Physiotherapist. Your role consists of assisting in the treatment and prevention of physical disabilities, movement dysfunction and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability or other health-related conditions, as well as documenting the progress of customized client treatment plans.
As an Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) you work with individuals and their families under the direction or supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist. You provide rehabilitative services to people with various physical or developmental impairments, with a focus on assisting in the development of treatment plans and procedures, carrying out routine functions, directing activity programs and documenting the progress.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
The program is 74 weeks, including a 15-week practicum with on-the-job training, offsite with potential employers. It focuses on the most important areas in the field, including the development and function of the human body and rehabilitation plans and techniques. Your studies will include, anatomy and physiology; physical dysfunction; disorders and interventions; physiotherapy modalities; techniques and functional movements; treatment, techniques, procedures and concepts; occupations and disabilities; and, historical, philosophical and theoretical principles of occupational therapy.
In addition, you’ll study management and practice issues and engage in mock therapy sessions, empowering you to develop your patient communication skills.
Within the classroom, you gain hands-on experience in our simulated rehabilitation rooms, with access to our TENS and EMS machines and performing various and specific treatments. Next, you take your learning and apply it to life in your 15 weeks of practicum – in both a physiotherapy environment and in an occupational therapy environment.
WHAT SETS US APART
We pride ourselves on providing exceptional programs to our students across the board, but what sets us apart in this program is three-fold – the hands-on training in our simulated rehabilitation rooms lead by industry-expert instructors; the value-added Occupational Therapy Assistant component of the program; and, the Anderson community of support that shares your interests and encourages you every step along the way to success.
FROM CLASSROOM TO LIFE
- Gain real-time knowledge and best-practices onsite from our industry-expert instructors and offsite through practicum with clinics and medical facilities
- Work within our fully equipped, simulated rehabilitation rooms
- Get hands-on training in hot and cold therapy, weights and muscle strengthening, therapeutic ultrasound, basic splinting, massage, injury exercises and more
WE’RE IN IT WITH YOU
Contact us to talk with one of our Admissions Experts. We’ll walk you through the details of what you’ll need and how to apply, the details of the program curriculum and the next steps to get you on your way to your first, or next, successful career.
Scroll down to see who your industry-expert instructors will be, and the experience they have to share with you.
It all started with a visit to Anderson College. … After a decade of being a stay-at-home parent and an immigrant, I did not know how or where to begin. … the staff guided me in choosing the right path, matching my skills and abilities. … I had a wonderful learning experience, from world-class instruction to advanced hands-on training. The POTA program and Anderson College had a dramatic impact on my life … I’ve shifted from being a full-time mother to a career-oriented woman who now contributes to her family and to society. … Indeed, it was an honor and a great privilege to be one of Anderson College’s students. … As the saying goes, “you are the product of your past but the author of your future.” To Anderson College, I thank you!
Marichu E.
Faculty
Sharee M.
“Teaching is about giving back. It’s a natural evolution to help others achieve their goals and success, which I find to be the most enjoyable part of teaching.”
Sharee has been a practicing physiotherapist for over 30 years, throughout which she has developed a broad range of business experience and practical skills. She has worked in a variety of areas within the field, including hospital settings, community care, seniors’ long-term care, and has also owned and operated several private practices.
Sharee graduated from the University of Toronto with a BSc (Hons) Neurophysiology and BSc Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was elected to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario’s professional council in 2012, and serves on their ICRC (complaints), Quality Assurance, Registration and Executive Committees.
Shaeba R.
“I found theory topics to be very challenging as a student. Realizing that students use many different methods to process information gave me the idea to try a variety of forms of transmitting information in my lectures. I like to show students how simple and logical science can be, and how all are capable of understanding the human body with ease.”
Shaeba has been an instructor in private colleges since 2006, prior to which he trained as a medical professional in Pakistan, specializing in neurology. In his clinical practice, he spent time rehabilitating accident and stroke patients, developing motivational skills to encourage his patients to take control of their recovery. Shaeba now applies these techniques to his teaching practice, along with the wealth of theoretical knowledge he acquired throughout his studies, and the leadership and teaching skills he cultivated while training new residents and interns in their clinical placements.
Shaeba is an International Medical Graduate.
Ronald M.
“What I love most about teaching is to give back the knowledge I have to my students in order to shape their careers. I love to share the experiences I have had during my career so that my students can have an understanding of the real world.”
Ronald’s career in physiotherapy spans over two decades and various environments, including respected private clinics and rehabilitation facilities. He has taken on many challenges throughout his extensive career, including owning and managing his own physiotherapy clinic, working as the clinical director of a fast-paced multi-disciplinary rehabilitation facility, supervising and mentoring resident physiotherapists, and training colleagues.
Ronald graduated from the University of Western Ontario with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Physical Therapy and Biology. Over the course of Ronald’s career he has furthered his theoretical knowledge and enhanced his clinical skills by enrolling in post-graduate physiotherapy and health science courses.
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Contact a member of our Admissions team and we’ll work with you to match your interests and goals to a program and walk you through the steps that lead to start-day and career success.
