Physiotherapist Assistant / Rehabilitation Assistant Diploma Program

Physiotherapist Assistants administer physical therapy treatments to patients under the direction of a physiotherapist or as assistant to physiotherapist or other rehabilitation professionals.

 

Working settings include hospitals, physiotherapy clinics, rehabilitation centres, long-term care facilities, sports medicine clinics, community health care agencies, and other medical settings.

Overview

Physiotherapist Assistants/Rehabilitation Assistants are classified under National Occupational Classification 3237-Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment. Other technical workers in therapy and assessment perform various technical therapy and assessment functions. Some may assist professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, ophthalmologists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, community health centres, educational institutions, hearing aid retail stores, in the private practices of the professionals they assist, or they may be self-employed.

Opportunities

  • Audiology Technician
  • Communicative Disorders Assistant
  • Hearing Instrument Practitioner
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Ophthalmic Technician
  • Ophthalmic Technologist
  • Physiotherapist Assistant [PTA]
  • Physiotherapy Technician
  • Rehabilitation Assistant
  • Speech Aide
  • Speech Technician
  • Speech Therapy Assistant

Admission Requirements

Standard Admission

Students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Alberta High School Diploma verified by transcript or non-Alberta equivalent, or successful completion of General Equivalency Diploma (GED) with a score of 450 in Language Arts [Reading & Writing]
  2. Successful personal interview with the school’s admission officer.

Mature Admission

Students must meet the following criteria:

  1. At least 18 years of age.
  2. Out of school for one (1) year.
  3. Successful test result on the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test [WBST] with a minimum score of 310.
  4. Successful personal interview with the school’s admission officer.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Students whose first language is NOT English must demonstrate ONE of the following:

  1. Transcript showing three (3) years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction, or
  2. Transcript showing one (1) year of post-secondary education where English was the language of instruction, or
  3. Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] Assessment Level 7
  • TOEFL: 77, or
  • IELTS: 6, or
  1. Successful completion of a Canadian English Language Arts Course [e.g., English 20].

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Course TitleCurrent Credits
Total67
Introduction to Rehabilitation, the Health Care System & Ethics2
Interpersonal Skills, Communication & Problem Solving5
Introduction to Computers, Applications, & Keyboarding6
Medical Terminology, Human Body, Diseases & Disorders8
Basic Patient Care Techniques, Functional Movement & Rehabilitation7
Developmental Psychology & Functional Development Across the Life Span3
Physiotherapist Assistant Administration and Program Support2
Essential Skills for PTA - Musculoskeletal4
Essential Skills for PTA – Modalities and Physical Agents7
Essential Skills for PTA – Cardiac, Neurological, Respiratory, & Would Management5
Introduction to Mental Health, Illness, & Disability2
Introduction to Occupational Therapy6
Clinical Placement Experience 15
Clinical Placement Experience 25

Do you have more questions?

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After you submit your application, an admissions representative will contact you and will help you to complete the process.

Once you’ve completed your application and connected with an admissions representative, you’re ready to create your schedule.

FORM

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