Rehabilitation Assistant

After a stroke, a fall or surgery, recovery depends on hours of guided practice, and rehabilitation assistants help make those hours count. RRC Polytech’s Rehabilitation Assistant certificate is a 12-month, three-term programme at the South Winnipeg Campus on Pembina Highway that prepares you to give safe, competent rehabilitative care under the supervision of speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists.

Term 1 lays the health science foundation through Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, Medical Terminology, Human Development for Healthcare Professionals, Human Health Conditions and Disease States and Introduction to the Healthcare Environment, with Communication Essentials, Communication in Healthcare, Software Application Skills and Global Citizen. Term 2 turns to rehabilitation itself: Foundations of Kinesiology, Human Health Conditions in Rehabilitation, Neurological Conditions in Rehabilitation, Musculoskeletal Conditions in Rehabilitation, Fundamentals of Discipline-Specific Rehabilitation, Introduction to Therapeutic Skills, Speech Language and Audiology and Safe Work Procedures. Term 3 adds Therapeutic Exercise, Therapeutic Modalities and Occupational Therapy: Principles and Practices.

The curriculum uses simulations of frequently encountered rehabilitation situations, so you practise communication and safety skills before meeting real clients. The term ends with the Rehabilitation Assistant Work Practicum, a seven-week placement where you refine your skills alongside therapists. Before the practicum you need a Police Vulnerable Sector Check, Child and Adult Abuse Registry clearance, current immunisations, Emergency First Aid and BLS, an N95 mask fit test and WHMIS, Violence Prevention and PHIA certificates.

Rehabilitation Assistant graduates work as rehabilitation assistants, physiotherapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, speech-language pathology assistants and therapy aides in hospitals, long-term care homes, community agencies, home care, private clinics and schools. It suits encouraging, physically active people who enjoy celebrating small gains with clients and want to be part of a therapy team.