Occupational Therapy Aide Program Overview
Enrol in ICS Canada’s online Occupational Therapy Aide Career Diploma program and complete your training in as little as six months. Occupational Therapy Aides are in high demand. In fact, this is one of the fastest growing occupations, with jobs expected to increase at a higher-than-average rate in the coming years!¹ Occupational therapy aides help patients improve their movement and ability to perform everyday tasks, as well as assist occupational therapists and other personnel with office procedures.
As part of our Occupational Therapy Aide Program, you will receive resources such as the Wisc-Online® Medical Terminology Jukebox. Plus, this program includes a Work Experience Option, which allows you to gain field experience relative to your program and career goals.
Program Goal and Outcomes
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Program Goal
The program goal for the Occupational Therapy Aide program is to develop the skills and knowledge to obtain an entry-level position as a professional occupational therapy aide.
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Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Identify typical personal qualities held by successful occupational therapy aides, including empathy, knowledge of good customer service, and effective communication.
- Identify typical professional responsibilities of occupational therapy aides, including assisting with activities of daily living, administrative duties, inventory control, and telephone etiquette.
- Use appropriate medical terminology related to the body in order to communicate accurately with clients and supervisors.
- Show understanding of the importance of a safe health care environment, including potential hazards and fall prevention, and the aide's role in maintaining a clean, safe workplace.
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Instruction Set 1
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Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
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Introduction to Occupational Therapy
Brief history of occupational therapy; settings in which OT is practiced: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, etc.; categories of OT personnel; educational requirements; members of the patient-care interdisciplinary team.
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The Physical/Occupational Therapy Aide
Definition of OT aide's role; education and training; job responsibilities; unskilled and skilled tasks, including clerical, inventory, treatment setup, direct patient care, therapeutic activities; supervision of the OT aide; OT Code of Ethics.
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Instruction Set 2
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The Occupational Therapy Aide
Definition of OT aide’s role; education and training; job responsibilities; unskilled and skilled tasks, including clerical, inventory, treatment setup, direct patient care, therapeutic activities; supervision of the OT aide; OT Code of Ethics.
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Introduction to Medical Terminology
Definitions; anatomical positioning, directional terms, body regions; therapeutic terminology; common abbreviations; the musculoskeletal system.
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Body Systems Terminology
Nervous, circulatory, and respiratory terminology.
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Instruction Set 3
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Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
Definition of ADL; self-care activities; homemaking activities; leisure activities; work activities, including on-site job evaluations; community re-entry activities; patient transfer techniques; driving; home safety.
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Adaptive Equipment
Wheelchair components and care; ambulation devices; bathroom equipment; dressing equipment; feeding equipment; grooming equipment; transfer equipment; OT aide's role in assisting with or modifying adaptive equipment.
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Instruction Set 4
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Therapeutic Treatment
Aide's role in assisting with therapeutic treatment, including psychosocial skills; group interaction skills; cognitive, perceptual and sensory stimulation activities; fine and gross motor activities; range of motion and strengthening activities; aide's role in diagnostic-related activities.
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Customer Service
The patient relationship; patient rights; confidentiality; telephone and interpersonal skills; interacting with patients; problem solving and conflict resolution.
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Workplace Health and Safety
Patient safety, including standard first aid, CPR, recognizing patient distress; personal safety, including wellness and proper body mechanics; environmental safety, including infection control, universal precautions; fire/disaster procedures.
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Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need access to high-speed internet to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 10® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running macOS® or later, and an email account to complete your program.
Sample Lesson
To view an Occupational Therapy Aide sample lesson, click here.
Occupational Therapy Aide Course Details
In the ICS Canada Occupational Therapy Aide program, you’ll cover topics such as:
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL) therapy and adaptive equipment
- Therapeutic treatment
- Medical and body systems terminology
- Communicating effectively with patients, the rehabilitative team, and other personnel