Your Careers Options as Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist Assistant Grads!

If you’re passionate about helping people and are looking to launch an in-demand career in less than two years, a physiotherapy assistant program and occupational therapy assistant programs may be ideal for your future.

After learning the fundamentals of how to facilitate techniques and exercises to support patients as they recover from illness and manage pain, as prescribed by the physio or occupational therapist you assist, myriad opportunities are open to you.

Exciting Career Options for You as an Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy Assistant

1. Work for a Private Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist

There is great need for PT/OT assistants to support these professionals as they deliver care and provide services to a variety of patients. Your ability to gain valuable and direct experience in this environment will allow you to hone your skills and may even inspire you to explore how to be a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.

Your Responsibilities:

• Welcome and gather information from patients,
• Record and process patient documents and files that track their progress and recovery,
• Assist, instruct, advise patients in alignment with the PT/OT directives,
• Help patients as they settle into and wrap up their appointments.

2. Put Your Skills to Work in a Hospital Environment

There are terrific opportunities to apply your training within a busy hospital, allowing for you to work with a variety of healthcare professionals.

Your Responsibilities:

• Supporting patients during their sessions,
• Working with sophisticated mobility equipment and helping patients learn how to use their aids, when required,
• Helping patients as they move through the prescribed exercises,
• Gain insight into a wide range of conditions and assist the physiotherapist / occupational therapist as they work with patients after surgery.

3. Support Patients Within a Rehabilitation Centre

A wonderful opportunity to contribute to a patient’s recovery process, for a variety of conditions, allowing you to put all you learned in your occupational therapy and physio course to the test.

Your Responsibilities:

• Learn about and assist with patients’ comprehensive recovery journey, from sports injuries, loss of mobility, lung damage to hip replacements,
• Work alongside PTs and OTs as they customize rehabilitation programs,
• Assist with prescribed exercises, movements, and guide patients as they complete tasks with accuracy and in a safe manor,
• Be an integral part of helping patients regain and retain physical and sensory capabilities.

4. Contribute Within a Sports Medicine Clinic

This is an exciting role as you help sports enthusiasts and professionals in comprehensive and regular care to maintain stamina and assist them in experiencing optimal health.

Your Responsibilities:

• Learn about and support myriad needs of high-calibre athletes,
• Help to implement PT/OT program plans to aid in maintenance, recovery, and injury prevention,
• Teach and facilitate prescribed sports injury and recovery techniques,
• Record progress and provide feedback to the PT/OT to enhance patient support.

5. Provide the Kindness and Care Required to Support Patients in Long-term Care Facilities

This is a unique experience, as you work with patients to help them retain quality of life and maintain functional independence for as long as possible.

Your Responsibilities:

• Beyond what you learned within your occupational/ physical therapy courses, this position requires extra compassion as often, rather than rehabilitate, you’ll be helping patients adjust to their conditions,
• These patients’ conditions cannot be reversed, and so your role is to assist them with prescribed care to prevent further deterioration,
• Assist patients with movement and exercises,
• Introduce and support patients as they learn to utilize their mobility equipment,
• Use your skills to empower patients to maintain their sense of dignity and continue to live a quality life.

6. Contribute Your Skills to Patients and Their Families in Hospice

As patients in this situation are experiencing the final months before end of life, and their families are often very much entrenched in the care of their loved one, this environment requires a special PTA/OTA to provide support.

Your Responsibilities:

• Work closely with your PT/OT who is keenly aware of the special circumstances of hospice care,
• Understand that your role in this process is to help provide comfort,
• Help the patient with basic functional mobility, to experience sensory relief, and move in a way that limits pain and is as safe as possible to prevent further injury or discomfort.

7. Utilize Your Care and Expertise to Support Patients Within Their Own Homes

All of these skills and responsibilities mentioned above can be taken directly into the home of patients who need or require assistance without leaving the comfort of their own environment.

Your Responsibilities:

• Help to implement the patient program plan, techniques and therapy as outlined by the PT/OT within a patient’s home,
• Provide regular support and care to maintain mobility within the home and help patients as they navigate day-to-day duties,
• Instruct and support as patients learn to use mobility equipment at home,
• Record patient feedback and progress to report to the PT/OT.

Be a Part of Industry Advancement as you Work Within Academic and Research Facilities

This is an exciting position to be in, and while you may want to get a few years of experience under your belt before you dive into this area of specialization, you will learn a great deal and contribute to the field as a whole.

Your Responsibilities:

• Work alongside a PT/OT assisting with research and development on the role of various techniques and treatments for a variety of conditions, injuries and pain management.
• May be involved in recording and report writing.
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As you can see, this career is extraordinary for those wanting to truly affect and enhance the lives of others and also have their pick of schedules to fit their lifestyle. With an aging population and people living longer, intent on maintaining quality of life, this is a thriving field … looking for trained professionals just like you.

If you’re still exploring occupational/physiotherapy courses in Ontario and whether this career may align with your interests, take the “Anderson College Medical Professional Career Discovery Quiz”.

But if, after reading about all the thrilling career options a grad would have and you’re interested in starting your Physiotherapist & Occupational Therapist Assistant career, book a virtual appointment with an Admissions Advisor today! We’re here to make every step along the way simple to navigate so that we can get you launched into your future – skilled, confident and in demand.

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Physiotherapist & Occupational Therapist Assistant Course & Program (andersoncollege.com)
• Specifics on Anderson’s PTA/OTA Program for Students – an Expert Interview
• Essential Skills Required to Thrive as a Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist Assistant
• Powerful Benefits of Physical Therapy – 10 Conditions It Can Treat