Diploma in Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant

at Mohawk College - Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster (IH) Campus Canada

This program is designed for internationally educated health care professionals (nurses, dentists, physiotherapists, pharmacists). It provides a critical understanding of the important elements of the Health System in Canada, a cultural orientation to Canada and the language/communication requirements to be effective in a Canadian health care setting. Communication, problem solving and teamwork are part of every course in the program. A considerable amount of emphasis is dedicated to the development of effective communication skills as it is considered a critical skill requirement for transition to working effectively as a health care professional in Canada.

Program Highlights

• Guest lecture from a variety of health professions.
• Developing one's own career plan i.e. how to become licensed as a health professional here in Canada.
• Invaluable opportunity to do a Service Learning Placement (50 hours) in local health agencies or hospitals in your fourth semester.

What you'll learn

• Funding and government jurisdiction in Canadian Health Care.
• Ethics and Values for health care professions in Canada.
• Regulatory Practice and Health Care Professions in Canada.
• Inter-professional team and collaborative practice in Canadian health care system.
• The role of public and private sector health care providers - Effective and efficient use of resources in Canadian health care.
• Autonomous practice, evidence-based decision-making, clinical reasoning and problem solving.

Obtain a prescription to the world of pharmacy practice with simulated pharmacy lab experiences and work placements.

Program Highlights

• Hands-on learning, with a professional focus throughout the program.
• Outcomes of the program meet the Entry to Practice Competencies for Pharmacy Technicians, set out by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). The program has been awarded accreditation for a five year period (2018-2023) by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).
• Work in various intraprofessional and interprofessional teams to enhance learning and appreciation of our health care system.

What you'll learn

• Acquire knowledge and skills in the delivery of pharmacy services in both community and hospital practices.
• Understand legislation and methodology surrounding dispensing prescriptions, preparation and distribution of pharmaceuticals, and drug inventory controls
• Learn the many uses and classes of available prescription and nonprescription drugs, medical devices, herbals and complementary care medicine products.
• Apply various compounding techniques in the preparation of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals.

Take on an important supporting role in occupational therapy and physiotherapy in this client-centered career.

Program Highlights

• Interprofessional course delivery with occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) faculty teaching collaboratively in selected core courses.

What you'll learn

• Knowledge, skills and professional behaviour required to deliver treatment to clients/ patients with limitations in movement and daily function.
• Gain initiative, creativity, respect for self and others, and a strong work ethic.
• Visit the Career Handbook on the Government of Canada website for details on the functional requirements and physical demands for this National Occupational Classification.
• Program outcomes meet the competencies outlined by the National Competency Profiles for Occupational Therapist Assistants and Physiotherapist Assistants. Learn more at caot.ca and alliancept.org.

Become a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and pursue an exciting health care career that offers diverse opportunities.

Program Highlights

• Collaborative learning environment where you and your peers will experience simulated and real-life opportunities in state-of-the-art classrooms and labs.
• Complete the program in 16 consecutive months and have a variety of academic pathways for further education and training.

What you'll learn

• Interact with faculty members who provide structure and act as facilitators through consultation, assisting with group collaborative activities and providing feedback.
• Acquire the professional knowledge, skills, accountability and responsibility for nursing practice through curriculum that is grounded in the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) RPN Entry-to-Practice Competencies.

Program Highlights

• Program is taught using a variety of methods including online, classroom lecture, clinical and lab experiences and field placement.
• Complete your certificate with a focus in gerontology by working with adults at the new training facility at The Village of Wentworth Heights.

What you'll learn

• Apply combined theoretical knowledge with practical skills to work as a team member with clients, families, nurses, physicians and other support services.
• Hands-on experience through professional practice placements in health care agencies under the supervision of instructors and preceptors.
• Provide service to a wide variety of clients.
• Recognize legislation that is relevant to the role including the Human Rights Code, Child and Family Services Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Long Term Care Homes Amendment Act and the acts it amends.

Acquire knowledge, skills and principles to assist physicians in various aspects of cardiac diagnosis through this high demand program.

Program Highlights

• State-of-the-art-lab facilities.
• Cardiovascular Technology program is an accredited program, Accreditation Canada.

What you'll learn

• The Cardiovascular Technology program outcomes meet the competencies outlined in the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists National Competency profile (CSCT NCP). Visit the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists to learn more.
• How to perform cardiovascular tests such as electrocardiography, Holter monitoring, exercise stress testing, pacemaker/cardiac device follow-up, ambulatory BP monitoring and ECG event/ loop monitoring.

Obtain knowledge and skills in the delivery of pharmacy products and services in community pharmacy practice.

What you'll learn

• Understand legislation and processes related to dispensing prescriptions, drug inventory controls and customer service.
• Identify the uses and classes of available prescription medications, non-prescription products and medical devices.