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Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist Assistant

OTPASchool of Health Sciences

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Key Details

Program Start Dates

January 2025

Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.

Program Delivery

Campus / Full-time

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Program Duration

4 Semesters

Program Contacts

Ayden Meilleur

Program Coordinator / Professor

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705-566-8101 ext.6641
International Admissions
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Program Overview

A student assists a patient using a walker in a physical therapy room with tables and an orange wall.

Rehabilitate your community as a highly valued, in-demand OTA and PTA

Train to be a valued member of a rehabilitation team, working directly with clients whose capacity to function has been impacted by injury, illness, or disease. Occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and physiotherapist assistants (PTA) both work in support roles under the direction of registered occupational therapists (OT) and physiotherapists (PT). An OT helps clients improve their ability to participate in meaningful life activities. A PT focuses on improving the client’s ability to move their body.  
 
A combination of practical skills and theoretical knowledge is delivered through classroom discussion, hands-on labs, and 540 hours of clinical placements in a variety of settings. As a valued member of a health care team, you’ll help clients follow rehabilitation treatment plans so they can excel in their personal and professional lives. 

Program Highlights

Program highlights 

  • Build skills in assessment, planning, and implementation of treatment plans and programs  
  • Compassionate and client-centred approach 
  • Apply classroom studies in extensive lab courses and in robust placements  
  • 540 hours of clinical placements at affiliated locations across Canada 
  • Potential career opportunities in a variety of health care settings 

Admissions

Admission requirements

For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:

  • Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
  • Any grade 11 (C) or (U) or grade 12 biology (U)

International Student Admissions

Are you an international student? Learn more about additional requirements.

Learn more

Additional admission requirements

Placement requirements

Students must meet the following requirements to attend field placement courses. These requirements must be completed by the prescribed deadline prior to semester three. Students are responsible for any expenses incurred in meeting these requirements.

  • CPR-HCP and First Aid training
  • N-95 mask fit testing
  • Obtain a criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening
  • AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) certification
  • WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) certification
  • Ministry of Labour Worker Health and Safety Awareness in Four Steps training
  • Immunizations:
    • Varicella
    • Measles, mumps, rubella
    • Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
    • Polio
    • Hepatitis B
    • Two-step tuberculosis screening
    • Influenza
    • COVID-19 immunization

Clinical placement requirements

Clinical placements occur in a variety of settings such as private clinics, long-term care, hospital settings and in home-care settings in semester 3 and 4 of the program.  You will be placed in a clinical setting where you will function under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist, as a member of the rehabilitative team. Clinical partner sites are subject to change; therefore, specific geographic regions may not be available at the time of your placement and other regions may be added.

Please note that when you accept a seat in the program, you also accept to go to any of the program’s affiliated clinical sites available at the time of your placement. The location of your placement may be different from your preference, and you should expect that you may need to relocate for this clinical training period. The placement will be delivered at a rehabilitative setting in Canada that is an approved clinical partner of Cambrian College.

Please note that all related clinical placement expenses such as travel, parking, and accommodation are your responsibility. 

Academic Upgrading

Are you missing admission requirements? Strengthen your academic skills for free at your own pace through Academic Upgrading!

Program delivery

Program delivery

2024-2025

Winter term start

  • Semester 1: Winter 2025
  • Semester 2: Spring 2025
  • Semester 3: Fall 2025
  • Semester 4: Winter 2026

Program of Study

Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year 

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
COM 2425Client & Career Communication3
BIO 1680Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Conditions6
ENG 1121Research & Writing/Health Sciences3
HEA 1185Health Systems and Ethics3
HEA 1190Health Promotion and Wellness3
One General Education Course. 13
 Credits21
Semester 2
BIO 2121Anatomy Physiology and Disease3
HEA 1171Seating and Mobility3
HEA 2010Assessments and Modalities3
HEA 2080Therapeutic Exercise3
HEA 1275OTA Clinical Approaches3
PSY 1135Issues in Developmental Psychology3
One General Education Course. 13
 Credits21
Semester 3
HEA 1720Neurological Health Conditions3
HEA 2200Complex Health Conditions4
HEA 2330Exercise Modification2
HEA 2520Case Studies for OTA/PTA3
FPL 1302OTA/PTA Field Placement I5
 Credits17
Semester 4
HEA 2521Comprehensive Review3
FPL 1401OTA/PTA Field Placement II10
One General Education Course. 13
 Credits16
 Total Credits75
1

For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

Fees

Tuition Cost

Canadian Students

$4,696.57Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

International Students

$18,126.67Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

Important Notice

Fees presented are estimates based on projections for future academic year(s) of study. Actual fees charged may differ from what is published here. A full detailed listing of all fees is available in myCambrian and updated annually no later than May 1 for the following academic year. Students in Academic Upgrading are responsible for any fees listed on their invoice each term.

Tuition and ancillary fees

Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.

Books and supplies

Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.

College may be more affordable than you think!

Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!

Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!

Work-integrated learning (WIL)

Take your education beyond the classroom!

Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.

Field of Study

School of Health Sciences

Cambrian offers a rich assortment of gratifying careers that focus on supporting health and improving well-being. Our on-campus dental and massage clinics provide opportunities for real-world experiences with the local community. Our MRI, medical lab, radiation technologist, and health analytics programs equip you with in-demand skills. From our state-of-the-art fitness lab to occupational and physiotherapy support training, there’s a program to transform your helpful nature into a career.

Learn more

Specific program pathway

College or university degree opportunities  

If you are a graduate from this program with a minimum 75% average you can receive 42 credits toward an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Health Promotion (BPHE HEAL) at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.

Also, once you graduate, you may continue your studies at a college or university, and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian’s college and university agreement details for further information. 

Career Outcomes

Employment opportunities

Graduates of this program will be prepared to pursue positions as an OTA, PTA, OTA/PTA or Rehabilitation Assistant within a wide range of organizations and settings which include:

  • Hospitals
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Private retirement residences
  • Private practice clinics
  • Children’s treatment centers and schools
  • Home care
media1A radiology student Julia working with equipment.

Need a career coach?

Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!

See where you'll be learning!

Minimum technology requirements

Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.

Bring your own device (BYOD)

Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD principle to both enrich the student learning experience in and out of the classroom and to ensure flexibility!

Ready to take the first step?

Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!

Have Questions?
We are here to help.

If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!

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