Program Overview

Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant Program

The Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant (OTA/PTA) program at Medicine Hat College is a two-year diploma program that prepares students to work under the direction of occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The program focuses on improving client health, movement, and quality of life.

Program Overview

The OTA/PTA program offers extensive classroom training and valuable practicum experiences with potential employers in hospitals, private clinics, home care settings, schools, and community programs. Students will have opportunities to bring their compassion and creativity to a healthcare and rehabilitation team.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, students must meet one of the following requirements:

• High School Route: High school diploma with ELA 30-1 (min. 60%) or ELA 30-2 (min. 60%), Biology 30 (min. 60%), and two 30-level subjects (min. 60%), one of which must be a 30-level science or Math 30-1 or Math 30-2.
• Mature Student Route: ELA 30-1 (min. 60%) or ELA 30-2 (min. 60%) and Biology 30 (min. 60%).
• Transfer Student Route: ELA 30-1 or a post-secondary level equivalent, or ELA 30-2, and Biology 30 or a post-secondary level equivalent, or a university-level lab science course.

English Language Proficiency

Students must also meet English Language Proficiency requirements, with an overall band score of 7.0 and no band score less than 7.0 on the International English Language Proficiency System (IELTS).

Pre-Program Requirements

After being admitted to the program, students must:

• Complete a standardized health form and program of immunization.
• Provide a current Police Information Check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Provide current Intervention Record Check.

Program Structure

The program is divided into two years, with the following courses:

First Year

• Fall: IDST 100, ENGL 1XX or 2XX, KNES 261, PSYC 2XX, TAPC 110.
• Winter: KNES 265, Junior SOCI, TAPC 111, TAPC 112, TAPC 113.
• Spring: OPTA 212.

Second Year

• Fall: OCTA 215, OCTA 216, PHTA 215, PHTA 216, TAPC 210.
• Winter: OCTA 217, OPTA 217, TAPC 218, PHTA 217.

Fieldwork Requirements

• All program requirements must be completed prior to commencing fieldwork.
• Students who have not successfully met their course and program requirements will not be permitted into the fieldwork courses.
• Fieldwork arrangements are made by Medicine Hat College, and students may be required to complete fieldwork at sites other than those requested.

Graduation and Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the program will find employment opportunities in:

• Health regions/hospitals
• Rehabilitation centers
• Continuing care facilities
• Schools
• Community and government health agencies
• Vocational rehabilitation programs
• Mental health organizations
• Private clinics

Transfer Opportunities

Individual courses transfer to other post-secondary institutions as outlined in the Alberta Transfer Guide. Graduates may be eligible for admission into various bachelor's degree programs at institutions such as Athabasca University, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge, and Thompson Rivers University.

Accreditation

The Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Medicine Hat 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 April 30, 2022, for the period until April 30, 2028.

Prior Learning and Online Learning

Prior learning assessment is available for students who have been employed in the field prior to entering the program. Online learning is also available, with students expected to participate in experiential learning opportunities and travel to Medicine Hat College for lab workshops.