Program Information

Rehabilitation Assistants work as members of a health care team under the supervision of and in collaboration with Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists. Rehabilitation Assistants are involved with the safe and proficient delivery of activities that have been established as a treatment plan for clients coping with temporary or permanent limitations in occupational performance and/or functional movement. The role of the Rehabilitation Assistant varies depending on the practice setting, which includes rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, long-term care facilities, community settings, and private practices. The Rehabilitation Assistant works with individuals, families, or groups, helping clients achieve optimal levels of physical, psychosocial, and/or cognitive abilities.
 
This part-time program is offered through distributed learning offering flexibility, collaboration, and interaction with a cohort model to minimize isolation often associated with distance education. Online courses are enhanced by laboratory sessions and structured clinical placements (nineteen weeks at 4 points throughout the program).
 
Graduates of this program will be equipped with the technical and theoretical skills required to work as Rehabilitation Assistants in hospitals, health centers, community organizations, rehabilitation facilities, and long-term care facilities. 
 
Graduates of College of the North Atlantic’s Occupational Therapist Assistant or Physiotherapist Assistant Certificate program may apply to the Rehabilitation Assistant (OTA and PTA) program to receive dual certification. Graduates with one certification (OTA or PTA) from another institution are also eligible for advanced standing into the Rehabilitation Assistant program; entry point will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

 

At the time of application to the Rehabilitation Assistant program, applicants MUST be completing or have completed one of the following:

1. High School
High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% overall average in the following (or equivalent):
i. English 3201 or 3202 (minimum 60%)
Note: Effective 2026-2027 Academic Year intake applicants will need to have completed English 3201
ii. Mathematics (4 credits) chosen from:
Advanced:  2200, 3200 (50% minimum in each course)
Academic:  2201 (50% minimum), 3201 (60% minimum)
iii. Science – (4 credits) chosen from one of:
Biology: 2201 and 3201
Physics: 3204
Chemistry: 3202
Earth Systems: 3209
iv. Electives (2 additional credits) chosen from any of the remaining 3000 level courses offered in the Senior High School Program.
Note: Starting with the 2024-2025 Academic Year intake, applicants that have completed BL3201 after September 2020, will be required to have completed both BL2201 & BL3201.
Note: CNA will not apply newly revised requirements to the disadvantage of an applicant whose high school courses were established by earlier requirements. 
2. College Transition (prior to 2024, students would have completed Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition)
College Transition Certificate with the following courses:
i. English (minimum 60%): CM1060, CM1061
ii. Math (minimum 60%): MA1040, MA1041
iii. Two Science courses chosen from one of the following three combinations:
a. Biology: BL1025

, BL1026

b. Chemistry: CH1035

, CH1036

c. Physics: PH1055

, PH1056

Note: It is strongly recommended that College Transition students who intend to enroll in the Rehabilitation Assistant (OTA/PTA) program complete both of the Introductory Biology courses.
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with Degree and Technical Profile (overall 60% average) including the following courses (or equivalent):
i. English (minimum of 60%) 3101A, 3101B, 3101C or 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
ii. Mathematics (minimum of 60%) 1101A, 1101B, 1101C, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
iii. Science from one of the following sections:
a. Biology 1101, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
b. Chemistry 1102, 2102A, 2102B, 2102C, 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
c. Physics 1104, 2104A, 2104B, 2104C, 3104A, 3104B, 3104C
Applicants with Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with a different Profile (and appropriate grades) may be eligible for admission to the program provided the appropriate selection of courses including those outlined above have been completed.
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, must be at least 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.

Note: Students meeting academic entrance requirements are accepted on a first qualified, first accepted basis. Before final acceptance is granted, additional documentation must be submitted; see the Additional Information for Health Sciences Applicants section of the calendar or under the Admissions Regulations section of our website for details.

Note: ESL students only – must meet School of Health Sciences English proficiency as outlined in Policy No. AC-102-PR.

Additional Requirements Upon Acceptance

1. Complete a HS Student Information and Program Awareness Package, which includes:

• Criminal Record Screening (RNC) or Criminal Record Check (RCMP)
• Vulnerable Sector Check (RNC or RCMP)
• NL Student Preplacement Immunizations and Communicable Diseases Screening Form

See the Additional Information for Health Sciences Applicants (Definitions and Regulations) section of the calendar or under the Admissions Regulations section of our website for details.

Notes: 

• Applicants with a criminal offense listed on their Criminal Record Check may be denied access to clinical placements and may be unable to complete their program. Acceptance of the Criminal Record is at the discretion of the clinical placement site.
• The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all medical requirements are met, and health screening records are complete before submission. Certain immunizations require a series of tests or vaccines, requiring weeks or months to complete. Start the process as early as possible.
• The applicant is responsible for all associated costs (vaccinations, laboratory testing, healthcare fees, certificate of conduct fees, etc.).

CODE	TITLE	Hrs/wk
Semester 1		Cr	Le	La
TA1150	Intro to Musculoskeletal Anatomy	4	3	2
TM1130	Medical Terminology	3	3	0
CM1270	Communications in Health Care	3	3	0
Semester 2		Cr	Le	La
TA1142	Orientation to Rehabilitation	5	4	1 wk
PS1420	Health Care Organization and Structure	3	3	0
TA1395	Anatomy & Physiology for Rehabilitation Assistants	4	3	2
Semester 3		Cr	Le	La
TA2221	Communication Disorders in Rehabilitation	2	2	0
HG1300	Professional Practice	3	3	0
TA1601	Introduction to Clinical Skills	2	1	3
Semester 4		Cr	Le	La
TA1612	Advanced Clinical Skills	3	2	3
TA1231	Human Movement and Kinesiology	4	3	2
TA2140	Disease, Injury and Intervention I	4	4	0
Semester 5		Cr	Le	La
TA1701	Clinical Placement I	2	0	2 wks
TA2141	Disease, Injury and Intervention II	4	4	0
TA2521	Mental Health Concepts and Techniques	2	2	0
Semester 6		Cr	Le	La
TA2685	Therapeutic Skills I for PTA	5	4	3
Semester 7		Cr	Le	La
TA2751	Clinical Placement II for PTA	5	0	5 wks
TA2671	Therapeutic Skills I for OTA	5	4	3
HG1681	Ethics in Health Care	3	3	0
Semester 8		Cr	Le	La
TA2150	Community Rehabilitation and Wellness for the Older Adult	3	3	0
TA2615	Therapeutic Skills II for the Rehabilitation Assistant (OTA & PTA)	6	5	4
TA2741	Clinical Placement II for OTA	5	0	5 wks
Semester 9		Cr	Le	La
TA2710	Clinical Placement III for the Rehabilitation Assistant (OTA & PTA)	6	0	6 wks