Diploma in Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant

at Cambrian College - Barrydowne Campus Canada

This 2-year Ontario College Diploma program gives you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to work in a support role under the direction of, and in collaboration with, an occupational therapist and/or physiotherapist. As valued members of the health care team, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistants work in a complex health care environment. Considered front line workers they assist in the assessment, planning, and implementation of rehabilitation treatment plans and programs developed to restore and maximize physical function and occupational performance.

Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistants help support clients to effectively cope with limitations in movement and activities of daily living, whether temporary or permanent, during and following recovery. Graduates of this program are ready for a career in a variety of health care settings including acute and complex continuing care, mental health and long-term care facilities, community agencies, vocational rehabilitation centres, children's treatment centres and private clinics.

Field Placement
Students are required to complete 510 clinical field placement hours over three semesters prior to graduation. Placements will begin in semester two with 150 hour Occupational Therapy OR Physiotherapy placement. The next placement is 165 hours in length and occurs in semester three. Students will be assigned to whichever profession they have not yet completed. For example, if a student has a semester two placement in a physiotherapy clinic, their semester three placement will be in an occupational therapy setting. In semester 4, the last placement will be in either an Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy setting for 195 hours. These placements provide the opportunity to apply classroom studies to an actual work situation and gain extensive on-the-job training.

Cambrian College's Supply Chain Management graduate certificate program provides you with expanded knowledge to address the demanding field of supply chain and logistics management.  In this program, you'll acquire the skills needed to effectively lead teams in order to convey strategies and execute plans to develop business success both locally and globally.

Mechatronics is an emerging field that combines mechanical engineering and electronics, with elements of automation, computer programming and telecommunications.  Working in the College’s state of the art lab facilities, you will develop the problem-solving skills and data analysis ability to be a valuable member in a wide variety of industrial applications, from industrial equipment and machinery design and maintenance to robotics and automation. You will learn how to use computer aided design to design mechanical components and assemblies in 3D, then take it one-step further, and fabricate your design in our state of the art machining and fabrication labs. You will also have unique opportunities to put your skills into practice by working on real community and applied research projects.

Graduates from the Technician diploma may be eligible to register as a Certified Technician (C.Tech) with the Ontario Association of Certified Technicians and Technologists (OACETT)

You will gain the skills to extract meaningful insights from very large and complex data sets to support business decision?making. You will learn how to collect, curate, manipulate, encode, and store data sets so they can be analyzed and mined in such a way that they can be reused and re-purposed to solve challenges and predict trends in any size and type of business. Key areas of study include database design and management, statistics and programming for business analytics, market research, data mining, data visualization, and decision?making through analytics.

The program combines computer science and technology courses with database, research methods, marketing, and communications courses. This enables students to find or gather data, use a wide variety of tools to analyze it, and share results through various forms of communication from reports to dashboards and infographics.

As a Developmental Services Professional, students are embarking on a rewarding career supporting children and adults experiencing life with physical disabilities, developmental and intellectual disabilities and dual diagnosis. Students will learn how to effectively use a person centered approach and positive behaviour supports to support behavioural, emotional, mental, physical and social needs. Students will also learn about the stages of human development, spectrum of disabilities, modes of communication, basic nursing and medication administration competencies and the range of community supports.

In addition, students will learn the value of working within legislative frameworks as it relates to positive behaviour supports, person centered supports, educational supports, crisis management and the constructing of a safe, respectful and quality life. Students will develop advocacy skills through relationship building and the critical thinking skills required to support individuals who live life with physical disabilities, developmental and intellectual disabilities and dual diagnosis.

Learning will be complemented by extensive hands-on experience gained through Field Placement opportunities, beginning with a Field Placement block in semester two and continuing with placements in semesters three and four.

Students will acquire the following skills from this program:

• Communication skills using alternate modes of communication: sign language, braille and a picture exchange communication system
• Professional competencies and the development of core and threshold competencies
• Development of formal and informal person and student centered plans
• Development of positive behaviour supports and instructional strategies
• Understanding and supporting individuals across the diverse spectrum of disabilities
• Advocacy for independence, self-determination, inclusion, belonging and citizenship
• Development of competencies to work collaboratively with inter-professional teams, families and community professionals
• Knowledge of medications, medication administration and basic nursing skills
• Facilitation of employment opportunities and entrepreneurship

Our environmental program is here to satisfy the interest individuals have in making a difference. The environmental field is a fairly unique field where workers can be doing the kinds of activities they find interesting, working outdoors, while doing a job that makes the world a better place. Our graduate certificate program aims to provide hands-on skills and applied knowledge to students with a theoretical background in the field.

Our focus is on environmental monitoring, particularly in fulfillment of Environmental Site and Impact Assessments. Knowledge, reporting and hands-on skills are important aspects of what we deliver.

The program’s emphasis is on environmental monitoring (air, water, soil, ecology) in support of industry requirements as well as part of Environmental Site/Impact Assessments. Learn from professors who are active in the field; being in Sudbury offers a unique perspective to learn firsthand the consequences of environmental impacts, and provides unique opportunities with on-going monitoring projects. The classroom component of the program is supported by a placement for ‘on-the-job’ training to ensure you obtain the necessary hands-on skills in the field.

Our graduates can be found working at top environmental and engineering consulting firms such as Golder and Associates, Wood/AMEC and Blumetric, government ministries, as well as in smaller firms and non-governmental organizations.

Program Highlights

• 4 week placement in semester three to provide hands-on work experience in the field
• Program housed in the LEED Gold certified Glencore Centre for Innovation
• Unique focus on environmental monitoring (air, water, soil, ecology) in support of Environmental Impact and Site Assessment with an emphasis on ecosystems impacted by the mining industry
• Opportunities throughout the year to earn certifications related to the environmental field (e.g., Green Check GPS, Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network)
• Prepares you to write the Water Operator-in-Training (OIT) exam

In this program, you'll learn the fundamentals of criminology, sociology, psychology, and the criminal justice system which will ultimately prepare you for wide-ranging career paths including policing, private security, and the Canadian Forces.

Please note: A criminal record can be a serious impediment to employment in this particular field. Many law and security employers insist on a clean criminal record.

Program Highlights

• Hands-on training in the College’s scenario room
• Practical Scenarios on Campus
• Field work / trips to various venues to see protection and security systems first-hand
• Fast-track options to complete other Cambrian Justice programs when you graduate

In just eight months, you’ll develop a communications skill set that that will luminate your career path to a management position in public relations. Experienced professors and industry professionals will lead as you explore how to communicate effectively, build relationships, and manage internal and external forces in order to maintain and enhance reputations for all types and sizes of organizations.

You will learn the ropes of the public relations industry through classes, labs, and hands-on assignments and gain the range of skills you need to be a great communicator, including:

• Media relations;
• Event planning and execution;
• Speechwriting and presenting;
• Writing for web, social media, print, and broadcast;
• Photography and podcast production; and
• Strategic communications planning.

The Public Relations Graduate Certificate is delivered through four sets of short, seven-week courses over two semesters (eight months).  A combination of virtual classes streamed over the Internet along with classroom and practical experiences, gives you high flexibility to learn from the convenience of your home community or virtually anywhere you can connect.

Cambrian College is a member of both the Canadian Public Relations Society and the International Association of Business Communicators. Students are encouraged to consider purchasing a student membership in these professional associations.

Program Highlights

• 7-week courses (except one full-semester course)
• Delivered as a combination of online courses, classroom experiences, and practical experiences
• Real-world experience from planning and executing community events that raise thousands of dollars, to developing strategic plans for community clients
• Courses cover all aspects of public relations, including event planning, media relations, speechwriting, social media communications, and more

Are you ready to be a change maker in our community and justice communities?  Then the Community and Justice Services Program is for you.  This program blends corrections theory with  practical experiences building your skills and confidence to work with hard-to-serve populations, people at risk for being in conflict with the law, offenders in the community, and those incarcerated in our institutions.

From day one, in semester one, we will immerse you in the field.  Your academic journey begins at Wendigo Lake Expeditions - an open custody facility for youth. Here you'll participate in adventure based therapy styled training and activities designed to develop your team-building, facilitation, collaboration, communication and leadership skills. Every semester we bring you to the field or the field experts to you. 

Our concentrated focus on practical application includes simulations and scenario testing to grow your knowledge and skills in:

• Therapeutic intervention and security
• Communication and rapport building
• De-escalation and conflict resolution
• Program development and facilitation
• Report writing and case management  

Your college experience is capped off with a 10-week, 350-hour field placement follow by specialized professional development training in self-defense, suicide intervention, and interprofessional collaborative practices.

After an introduction to basic work practices and training on the proper use of hand tools, pneumatic tools, and shop equipment, you will learn how to diagnose and perform quality repairs for the various sub-systems of vehicles, including:

• Computer systems
• Emissions systems
• Braking systems
• Fuel injection systems
• Heating and cooling systems
• Drive train systems
• Steering and suspension systems
• Power train control systems

Courses will be a 50/50 split between hands-on and classroom training.
Special focus will be placed on electrical systems and electronic components throughout the program while performing service and or diagnostic repairs according to manufactures procedures.

Optional Paid Co-op
Our program features an optional, paid co-op directly related to your program of study. During this work-integrated learning experience, you’ll apply your skills and knowledge in an actual work environment, giving you industry training that you can showcase to potential employers when you graduate.

You will be required to complete work preparation sessions prior to the work term to help you develop an industry-specific resume and effective interviewing skills. Cambrian’s Career Centre will support you through this process and will also help you to source and apply for placement opportunities.

International students: Study permits prohibit international students from participating in optional co-ops. However, if you are an international student and are interested in work-integrated learning opportunities, visit Cambrian’s Career Centre to discuss available options with a career advisor. Opportunities may include volunteer positions or part-time or full-time jobs during academic breaks and/or during the academic year.