Our Rehabilitation Assistants, also known as Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs), are wonderful members of the allied health care team who support the delivery of occupational therapy services to clients, families and communities. OTAs work under the direct supervision of Registered Occupational Therapists (OTs) to implement occupational therapy interventions and care plans for our clients. All OTAs on our team are graduates from accredited 2-year diploma programs recognized by the BC College of Occupational Therapists and are specifically trained to work with OTs from an occupational therapy and functional standpoint.
What do OTAs do?
Work alongside occupational therapists to support clients to engage in therapy that help them obtain their goals
Employ their diverse skill set and understanding of occupational therapy practice with direct client care
Deliver OT-related interventions with collaborative input from an OT
Create the "just right" challenge for clients to experience mastery and motivation in their goals
Work in broad range of practice areas including public or private, and with diverse client populations
All of our OTAs and team support personnel are essential to our service model of care.
Rehabilitation Assistant
Richmond
Occupational Therapist - Richmond
Rachel Hawayrd is an occupational therapist specialized in children and youths with autism, and developmental disabilities, as well in adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. Rachel completed her Masters of Occupational Therapy at the University of British Columbia, and have enjoyed working with individuals with autism and developmental delay as a Head Coach through Special Olympics BC for eight years prior to her professional degree. Since practicing as an occupational therapist, Rachel has worked at Vancouver General Hospital and Home and Community services for Vancouver Coastal Health. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys traveling with her husband and three children, hiking locally and internationally, and cooking for friends.
Occupational Therapist - Vancouver
Cather is a passionate occupational therapist from Hong Kong with over 18 years of dedicated experience in serving the paediatric community. Through the years Cather has worked in various school environments, clinic settings and community-based programs, collaborating closely with educators, parents, and other healthcare professionals to create tailored intervention plans that address the unique needs of each child.
Cather holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, she is a Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) and her expertise extends to a range of specialized interventions, including sensory integration and vestibular training, relationship development intervention, handwriting and pre-writing training, ocular motor training, and living skills assistance.
In addition to her clinical skills, Cather is proficient in English and Cantonese, with conversational abilities in Mandarin.
Fun fact: Cather enjoys being led and praised by her elementary / middle school daughters in her developing areas E.g. "Mom, your skiing skill has improved! Let me show you how to do a hockey stop, it's easy!"
Administrator