Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant

Students will participate in field placement during all four semesters of the program.  In the latter part of semester four, you will complete fieldwork hours on a full-time basis for at least 6-10 weeks, gaining valuable work experience and employment references. Students should be prepared to travel outside of Sault Ste. Marie in order to complete the required fieldwork placement in the fourth semester.  Students should plan financially for these placements, as any expenses related to out of town travel and accommodations during fieldwork will be the responsibility of each student.

In order for students to be eligible to complete field placement, which is a mandatory component of education, specific placement requirements must be satisfied, and documentation submitted by the due date identified for the program.

The absence of documentation for any requirements or failure to submit the requirements by the expected due date will result in the student being withdrawn from the course in which field placement is an element.   Tuition will not be refunded if access to clinical placement is denied.

PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• STANDARD FIRST AID
• CPR – Level C (annually) with AED, no online courses are permitted
• WHMIS
• N95 MASK FIT TESTING CARD (every 2 years), requires a clean-shaven face for appropriate fitting
• IMMUNIZATIONS
• POLICE VULNERABLE SECTOR CHECK (PVSC) (annually), Level 3 Criminal Record Check

Clinical Placement Requirements are due as indicated:

• OTA/PTA (3022) - Year 1 - Due Date - 8th week of first semester
• OTA/PTA (3022) - Year 2 - Due Date - As Communicated

College Contact for Clinical Requirements: Jennifer.Williamson@saultcollege.ca 

Immunizations

Complete required immunizations prior to the first semester of the program and submit official records, along with the College Health Form, to the Sault College Health Centre.

1.  2 Step TB Skin Test or TB blood test or Clear Chest X-Ray
2. Annual 1 Step TB Test (as needed)
3. Measles/Mumps/Rubella
4. Tetanus/Diphtheria (within 10 years)
5. Chicken Pox (documented proof of immunity)
6. Hepatitis B
7. Influenza Vaccine (October/November)
8. COVID vaccine*

* The Covid-19 pandemic remains a global concern. We encourage you to speak to your healthcare provider regarding the decision to be vaccinated. Please note clinical placement agencies may require evidence of vaccination prior to entry to placement. Further, they may refuse a student entry who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Clinical Requirement Specifics:

Students should endeavor to have all of their requirements completed prior to their program start date.  If unable to obtain all requirements prior to the program start date, a list of available resources in the community can be provided.  Sault College cannot guarantee that appointment dates or course times will be available prior to identified program deadlines.

Standard First Aid, CPR - C, and the N95 Mask Fit Test - are offered through Sault College`s Continuing Education Department. You may also access these courses through other providers as long as they meet the clinical/placement requirement specifications.

WHMIS - The WHMIS course is available to registered students free of charge on LMS (Learning Management System). Registration takes place after mid-August and mid-December when tuition has been paid.

Two Step TB Skin Test or Blood Test - Please be advised that the Step Two TB Skin Test is available locally through Algoma Public Health, however, testing, although offered weekly, is limited. It is our suggestion that you schedule this test early so that you complete the requirements by the deadlines listed on this page for your applicable program. Algoma Public Health contact information is (705) 541-7085. In the event that Algoma Public Health is not offering TB skin testing, please contact your health care provider and watch for information regarding clinics on LMS.

Police Vulnerable Sector Check (VSS):

For your program, a Police Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS), Level 3 Criminal Record Check is required.

The laws, rules and regulations regarding the acquisition of a criminal record check and the Sault College Criminal Record Check Policy shall be enforced and applied in accordance a manner consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 and all other applicable statutes or regulations.

Why is a Police Vulnerable Sector Check necessary?

Sault College placements are bound by this policy and the policies of placement providers. Given this, the purpose of a police vulnerable sector check includes but is not limited to the following:

1. The protection of vulnerable persons;
2. The protection of the interests of students;
3. The protection of the interests of the placement agencies; and
4. The protection of the interests of the College and its employees.

Students will be advised of the process to obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check during the first month of the first semester or when field placements are confirmed.

Individuals who have charges, pending charges or a criminal conviction for which record suspension has not been granted, must contact the College Contact listed above for their program. A meeting will be scheduled with the Chair to discuss their ability to participate in experiential learning in order to complete all program graduation requirements. If a student fails to disclose this information, their academic status will be adversely affective. Prospective students should know that if a criminal record exists, the student’s ability to complete the academic requirements and graduate from their program may be in jeopardy.

Student questions about the Police Vulnerable Sector Search and the submission of these documents may be made to the College Contact listed above for their program.

Please visit the Sault College Criminal Record Check Policy and procedural information located on the Student Portal. On the Student Portal, select Support Services, then select Forms and Policies.

Students must also sign a Statement of Confidentiality.

Please Note:

All original placement documentation must be submitted to the appropriate college contact by the program mandated deadlines. It is the responsibility of the student to keep up-to-date placement requirement documentation (and copies) to present to faculty and/or placement agencies as required.  The College does not retain copies of any placement requirements.

Students are responsible for the full cost of obtaining placement requirements. Tuition is not refunded if access to clinical placement is denied or if proof of requirements is not submitted within the required timeframes.

Notice to International Students:

The necessary immunizations for your program can be obtained from your home country and you will need to submit those immunization records along with the College Health Form to the Sault College Health Centre.

All other requirements (Standard First Aid, CPR, WHMIS, N95 Mask Fit, Police Vulnerable Sector Check) must be obtained and completed after your arrival in Ontario.

As per Canadian Immigration policy, all International students completing a program with a practicum (field/clinical placement) component must obtain a Coop/Work Permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stating that they are permitted to attend practicum as an integral part of their studies. International students will not be able to attend placement without obtaining this permit.