Rehabilitation Assistant
Rehabilitation Assistant jobs are diverse and rewarding. Working in partnership with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and recreational therapists, rehabilitation assistants provide vital support to people recovering from injury or illness.
Vancouver Career College's Rehabilitation Assistant program prepares students to work in facilities such as sports medicine clinics, long term care facilities, health and fitness spas, and hospitals. Students will learn about anatomy and physiology, human development, occupational therapy techniques, and therapeutic recreation programs.
Applicants to this program must complete a pre-entrance immunization report, pass a criminal record check, and write an entrance exam.
"I chose Vancouver Career College because of the high level of education it offers. I learned everything I needed to know to find a job." - Tamara M., Vancouver Career College Graduate
Program Courses
The program outline below is for British Columbia.
| COURSE CODE | COURSE NAME | CREDITS |
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- Students will gain a better understanding of themselves through an exploration of their personal attributes, transferable skills and learning styles. This course will introduce techniques for time, conflict, and stressmanagement and develop interpersonal communication skills. Fundamental study and motivation skills will be covered, preparing students to excel in their program of choice. Students will also prepare a professional resume andlearn how to write effective cover letters.
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- The first component of this course is designed to introduce students to basic computer literacy through familiarization with the components that make up a computer. Students will also look at the Windows operating system to learn how to manage a computer on a regular basis. The second component of this course will teach the basic to intermediate skills required to work with a variety of business documents including the following Microsoft Office products: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint. The third and final component is designed to introduce students to considerations for living online. Students will look at what the Internet is and how e-mail has made a huge impact on communicating with others, as well as look at how to find information on the Internet and avoid risk to personal security while online.
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- This course provides an introduction to the basic principle of chemistry equations, medical terminology and human physiology in order to prepare students for the more advanced course of study in this diploma program. Study skills for learning the sciences are also discussed in order to facilitate the student's learning process.
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- This course introduces Rehabilitation Assistant (RA) students to the field of rehabilitation. It addresses the diversity of the roles and relationships s for health professionals within the field of rehabilitation and within the health care system. Students will address issues including professionalism, the roles and responsibilities of the RA, models of health care and professional ethics. The course will discuss the Canadian Health Care system, professional conduct, professional boundaries as well as the importance of confidentiality between the client and the practitioners.
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- This component of the program is designed to introduce students to the structures and functions of the human body. Emphasis is placed on the musculoskeletal and neurological systems as well as on surface anatomy. This course will provide the foundation for the study of Human Disorders, the biomechanics of human motion and therapeutic interventions for disabling conditions.
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- This course traces human development from conception to death. Topics include the interaction of heredity and environment, age group characteristics, physiological and psychological problems that appear throughout the lifespan. A focus is placed on the appreciation of how human development relates to the disciplines of PTA, Recreational Therapy and OTA.
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- Students are provided with an understanding of normal human motion. The course addresses topics that include joint mobility, muscle tone, range of motion, normal gait and normal posture. Students are also introduced to skills including palpation and observations skills, limb and patient handling. This provides an emphasis on both theoretical and practical skills.
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- Human Disorders introduces students to a variety of disabling conditions, based on broad diagnostic categories. This course addresses both physical and psycho-social conditions specific to the pediatric, adult and geriatric population. They are addressed within the framework of impairment, disability and handicap. The course provides a brief review of the body systems and disorders related to each of these systems.
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- The Clinical Physiotherapy I course is designed to introduce the student to the theoretical knowledge and practical application of therapeutic exercise in physical therapy. The Clinical Physiotherapy course will discuss basic exercise physiology, as well as treatment interventions related to a range of musculoskeletal disorders. Practical labs provide the student the opportunity to gain proficiency with patient handling skills and therapeutic exercise techniques.
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- This course equips the student with the skills needed to deal effectively with clients and colleagues in the health care setting. It addresses topics including verbal and non-verbal communication, effective listening, cultural differences in communication, and conflict management. A variety of learning strategies are employed including group discussion, role playing, group exercises and individual assignments.
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- The goal of this course is to develop the student's knowledge and skill in therapeutic activities in physical therapy. Topics include therapeutic exercise techniques for a variety of conditions. An emphasis will be placed on practical skills as well as the indications, contraindications, and precautions for a variety of interventions. As part of this course, students will also gain an overview of the area of therapeutic recreation and the role that the rehabilitation assistant can occupy in this sector.
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- This course is designed to introduce the Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist Assistant, Rehabilitation Assistant to Client Record Management in a clinical setting. The ability to provide accurate, concise documentation is integral to the role of the assistant. Assistants will be required to document the treatment provided under the direction of the registered practitioner, within professional guidelines and legal requirements. This course will provide the student with an overview of commonly used methods of documentation, legal guidelines, use of abbreviations, confidentiality, and the role of the assistant in Client Record Management.
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- This course provides students with an overview of geriatric care and a review of systems as they relate to aging, with specific emphasis on the complexity of aging, pathology and health care. Topics will deal with aging pathokinesiology and the aging sensorium and will be directed at specific clinical conditions. Death and dying, as well as ethical considerations with the geriatric population will be reviewed.
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- The goal of this course is to develop the student's knowledge and skill in therapeutic activities in physical therapy. Topics include therapeutic techniques for neurological conditions. An emphasis will be placed on practical skills, as well as the indications, contraindications, and precautions for a variety of interventions.
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- This course will explore the importance of using recreation and leisure activity as therapy and the role of the rehabilitation assistant in the implementation and facilitation of therapeutic recreation services. Students will develop the ability to implement a variety of individual and group techniques, utilize a variety of assistive devices and techniques, apply therapeutic recreation content and services, and apply activity and task analysis in the delivery of therapeutic service. Students will examine the potential benefits in a variety of recreational activities.
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- Students are exposed to the theory and application of therapeutic modalities used in physiotherapy. An emphasis is placed on indications, contraindications and special safety considerations in the application of a variety of modalities. In addition, students will be provided with the practical skills required to safely and effectively apply these modalities to a patient.
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- Students are provided with the knowledge and practical skills required for basic patient care management. This course provides an overview of patient positioning and draping, wheelchairs, lifts and transfers. The knowledge from the previous Anatomy and Physiology, Human Development, and Human Disorders courses is applied to assist in the determination of the purpose, benefit, functional sequence and safety precautions of movement and positioning procedures. Students are also provided with insight into accessibility issues for our patient population. CPR and First Aid training is included in this course.
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- This course provides the student with the opportunity to integrate and consolidate the theory and practice of managing complex patient situations. The student will use critical thinking skills to determine a patient’s needs in order to appropriately implement components of a treatment plan as prescribed by, and under the supervision of, the Physiotherapist. The course will focus on the more complex patients who require Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and other disciplines within the health care team. The course offers a combination of small group tutorials and problem solving sessions, along with a self-directed component.
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- This course is designed to equip students with interpersonal skills identified by employers as essential for success in the professional world. Using a variety of instructional methods including case studies, group exercises, and discussion, students learn and practice key communication skills.
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- This course introduces students to the philosophy and principles of the practice of Occupational Therapy and provides the opportunity to learn about the scope of service of the OT and OTA. A variety of physical disabilities will be explored and students will be familiarized with intervention strategies and therapeutic activities.
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- The objective of this course is to introduce students to the field of Occupational Therapy in Psychiatry, familiarizing them with the theory and therapeutic techniques applied by the Occupational Therapist working in Psychiatry.
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- This course will cover the fundamentals of Pediatrics that an OTA needs to be familiar with. Pediatric health conditions, the Occupational Therapy process, pediatric assistive devices and the scope of practice will be covered.
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- This mandatory 500-hour Clinical Placement provides students with an opportunity to develop and practice basic competency level skills in observation and treatment techniques under the supervision of either an on-site Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist or Rehabilitation Therapist. Base on the student's area of interest, the Clinical Placement can be completed in any of these specialty settings. The practicum is also an opportunity for learning new skills specific to the chosen setting.
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- Students will have the use of our Job Search lab which has unlimited Internet access, a job search resource library and a fax machine and phone for contacting prospective employers. Facilitators will also be made available to advise on job finding resources, interview skills and techniques, and to carry out mock interviews. Students review core program concepts and learning in order to market their skills effectively.