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OaSIS 2023 Version 1.0
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32109.05 – Physiotherapy assistants and occupational therapy assistants

Physiotherapy assistants and occupational therapy assistants assist physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists in treating patients with injuries and physical disabilities.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Occupational therapy assistant
  • Occupational therapy technician
  • Physical therapist assistant (PTA)

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, carry out treatment programs such as thermotherapy, traction, hydrotherapy and electrotherapeutic techniques to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities to maximize their ability to independently manage daily activities.

Additional information

  • In most provinces occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and physiotherapy assistants (PTA) receive training through a single OTA/PTA program in community colleges.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Licensed practical nurses (32101)
  • Massage therapists (32201)
  • Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
  • Other assisting occupations in support of health services (33109)
  • Other practitioners of natural healing (32209)
  • Paramedical occupations (32102)
  • Physiotherapists (31202)
  • Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)
  • Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists (32200)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

32 – Technical occupations in health

Sub-major group

321 – Technical occupations in health (except practitioners of natural healing)

Minor group

3210 – Technical occupations in therapy and assessment

Unit group

32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

Occupational profile

32109.05 – Physiotherapy assistants and occupational therapy assistants

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.