Holland College is now accepting applications for a new two-year diploma program designed to prepare people to work as assistants to occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Students in the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program, which will start in September of 2018 on the Prince of Wales Campus in Charlottetown, will gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills they will need to be successful as rehabilitation assistants. Students will develop an understanding of the human body, the concept of rehabilitation, and the therapeutic interventions and modalities used to treat various conditions. They will apply these skills in a clinical setting and during fieldwork placements, preparing them to work under the supervision of a licensed and registered occupational therapist or physiotherapist. The type of settings may include hospitals, long term care facilities, mental health facilities, rehabilitation facilities, schools, and private physiotherapy and occupational therapy clinics.

The program’s admission requirements include written verification of 20 hours of volunteer experience or paid work, preferably within the last five year years, with an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, or an OT/PT assistant at a hospital, or long term care or mental health facility. People considering applying for the program should prepare well in advance, said Lornie Hughes, manager of health and community studies programs at the college.

“If someone is interested in taking this program, they need to make sure that they meet all of the admission requirements, including the hours of volunteer experience,” he said. “Holland College’s adult education department can help them upgrade high school courses, free of charge. We have already received several applications for the program, and anticipate that interest will continue to increase as we get closer to the college’s first application review date at the end of February.”