“CDI gave me the opportunity and confidence to pursue a career that I really enjoy. I have always wanted a career in the healthcare field. ” - Nikki N., CDI College Graduate
Rehabilitation assistants work with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and recreational therapists to aid in the recovery of patients. CDI College's Rehabilitation Assistant (RA) program is for students with a strong interest in human development, including injury, functional movement, human disorders and more.
Graduates of this diploma program have the skills, knowledge, values and behaviours necessary for employment in clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centres. Courses focus on understanding the body and human development. Students will study bio-chemistry, body mechanics and systems, anatomy and physiology, therapeutic exercise, and the use of advanced technological equipment.
Students put their knowledge to use in clinical placements in the community. Students are given an opportunity to complete their practicum in whichever specialty field they choose.
This program is 73 weeks in length.
Job Opportunities
- Hospitals
- Physiotherapy clinics
- Long-term care facilites
- Sports medicine clinics
- Health and fitness spas
- Public health clinics
- Recreational therapy clinics
- Wellness centres
Rehabilitation Assistant
Program Courses
The program outline below is for British Columbia.
| Code | Course Name | Hours |
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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 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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- 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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- 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 student to the specialty area of neurological rehabilitation. Traditionally, physical therapists have chosen to not use support personnel in this field, but now the trend has shifted and neuro rehab is a growing field for the PTA or Rehab Assistant. The student will develop a basic understanding of the area of neurological rehabilitation, including review of the common neurological conditions and the various neuro treatment approaches. The student will develop a thorough understanding of the role of the PTA or Rehab Assistant as a member of the neurological health care team.
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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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- 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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- 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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- 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 and OTA.
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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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- This course covers working with the Windows operating system to manage files and folders and customize the desktop, creating documents, and using the Internet for communication and research.
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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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- This course introduces PTA/OTA students to the field of rehabilitation. It addresses the diversity of roles and relationships of 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 PTA/OTA, models of health care and professional ethics.
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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 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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- 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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- 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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- 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 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.