May is National Physiotherapy Month

This month celebrates physical therapists, physical therapist assistants (PTAs), and students, while also raising awareness about the essential role movement and physical health play in injury recovery, fall prevention, and overall wellness.

At Algonquin College, we are proud to offer our Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapy Assistant (OTA/PTA) program where learners are equipped with the knowledge and skills to work alongside an Occupational Therapist and/or Physiotherapist with the goal of helping individuals overcome movement limitations and perform their daily activities with independence.

Physiotherapist Assistants play vital supporting roles in the assessment, planning and implementation of therapeutic care across a variety of healthcare environments. The versatile set of skills, learned and applied throughout the program, are becoming increasingly valuable as the demand for both healthcare and rehabilitation services continue to grow.

To celebrate National Physiotherapy Month, we are highlighting students from our OTA/PTA program to share about their experience in the program, their clinical placement, and their advice for future students.

Meet Victoria, a student in the OTA/PTA program who is graduating this year.

AC: What did you enjoy the most about your time in the OTA PTA program?

V: What I enjoyed most about the OTA/PTA program was the supportive learning environment and hands-on experience. The small class sizes allowed for individualized instruction and strong connections with both classmates as well as professors. Learning in the labs helped build confidence with practical rehabilitation skills before entering clinical settings. Each professors’ real-world experience provided valuable insight into the field we would be entering.

AC: How did the clinical placements in the program help to shape your career goals?

V: The clinical placements were one of the most important parts of the program because they allowed me to apply both classroom and lab knowledge directly to patient care. Experiencing placements in different rehabilitation settings and within both OTA and PTA roles helped me better understand the variety of career paths available while building confidence along the way.

AC: Do you have any suggestions for future OTA PTA students?

V: For future OTA/PTA students, my advice would be to stay open-minded and make the most of every learning opportunity. Ask questions, seek feedback, and take initiative whenever possible!