The Rehabilitation Assistant program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and competent rehabilitative care to clients and their families. Rehabilitation assistants perform their duties under the supervision of a speech language pathologist, occupational therapist and/or physical therapist.

Program curriculum includes a variety of frequently encountered rehabilitation simulations to help students develop effective communication and client safety. Two, preceptor-led work practicum rotations (six weeks in duration each) put students in real-world experiences where they can practice and improve their skills. Participation in MITT’s Bridging to Work workshops provides students a solid foundation in the employability and essential skills employers demand.

Who it is for

Individuals looking for careers in health care that allow them to provide patient-focused care, who have strong communication skills, and who like work directly with others.

Rehabilitation assistants are expected to:

• Work with clients affected by aging, chronic illness, disability, and injury
• Observe client progress and treatment responses accurately
• Provide therapeutic touch and care for clients of all ages, cultures, and genders
• Demonstrate adequate strength, motor coordination, agility and dexterity for safe implementation of therapeutic techniques, manipulation of therapeutic activities, and use of tools and machinery
• Exercise sound professional judgment and recognize self-limitations during each client interaction
• Bend, stand, and walk for extended periods without resting
• Be accountable, objective, and factual
• Exhibit strong listening and non-judgmental empathy skills
• Express respectful verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Be detail-oriented and manage time, multiple competing tasks, priorities, and resources effectively
• Work independently and in a team environment
• Uphold scope of practice responsibilities and professional boundaries

Course information
Career information

Two, preceptor-led work practicums place students under the supervision of an institutionally appointed rehabilitation assistant or licensed therapist in a clinical setting for six weeks at a time. Practicum rotations cover a range of experience in institutional, community, or private practice.

MITT does not guarantee placement site choice or proximity to a student’s residence. The institution reserves the right to assign out-of-town placements, including to remote locations. Practicum shifts may be scheduled outside the standard program hours.

Practicum Eligibility Criteria:

The Rehabilitation Assistant program has the following eligibility criteria for work practicum qualification:

• Successful completion of all prerequisite courses
• Demonstrated safe patient standard compliance
• Clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check or RCMP equivalent (dated within six months of the practicum end date)
• Clear Provincial Child Abuse Registry
• Clear Adult Abuse Registry
• Current, approved immunization record (as per the WRHA guidelines for Health Care Workers)
• Emergency First Aid/CPR training
• N95 Mask Fit Test
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certificate
• Violence Protection Program (VPP) training
• Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) certificate
• Dementia training
• Mood Disorders Association Manitoba training
• MB Possible training
• Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba training
• Hearing Voices
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certificate (NVCI)
• Valid Co-op Work Permit (applies to international students only)

Work practicum is a mandatory component of this program. To participate, students must meet all work practicum eligibility criteria. MITT cannot guarantee placements to students who do not meet these requirements.

Health Care Aide and Rehab Assistant Simulation Lab

MITT continuously reviews and improves programs to maintain relevance in the workplace and effective learning experiences for all students. Although the institution strives to have the website reflect the most current version of all programs, MITT reserves the right to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet industry and accreditation requirements. As a result, course information and learning outcomes may be adjusted prior to the scheduled course start date.