A new clinic with a dual purpose has opened at the College’s Welland Campus.
Called Performance, the clinic offers physiotherapy services for NC staff and students; as well as occupational therapy services for community children with fine motor issues.
“Our new Performance clinic is a big leap forward, enabling us to use our College’s expertise and state-of-the-art equipment in new ways to serve our college community and beyond, as well as to enhance learning and employment opportunities for our students and graduates,” said Carolyn Triemstra, dean of NC’s Community and Health Studies division.
The new clinic is supported by a $191,000 grant received from the province’s Career Ready Fund, focused on hiring graduates and increasing experiential learning opportunities for students. It will provide work opportunities for six graduates and 12 students from the College’s Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program this term – more students will be hired next term. While a therapist will perform all assessments, assistants will assist with implementing treatment plans.
Because of the Career Ready funding, the College will hire a minimum of 25 graduates and increase experiential learning opportunities by 150 opportunities and 18 postsecondary placements through this and other initiatives supported by the fund.
The Performance clinic features brand new hydraulic tables and top of the line equipment – which is used for student programming at the College. It is located in the Applied Health Institute in Room AH 226.
On-campus physiotherapy for staff and students
Need physiotherapy? If you’re a student or staff member at NC, you now have an option to get treated at the Welland Campus – at a fraction of the regular cost.
Physiotherapy services are now available at NC’s Performance clinic for all NC staff and students. Services are covered under health benefit plans for students (including international students) and employees. The physiotherapy clinic is run by registered physiotherapist and NC faculty member Kelly Martindale.
“The clinic will provide increased accessibility to physiotherapy services to staff and students by having no wait list and evening hours available,” said Martindale. “It will also provide valuable experiential learning opportunities for our current students.”
Injuries that may be treated at the clinic include neck and back pain, shoulder injuries, headaches, sprains, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis and arthritis. Services offered include a full assessment by a registered physiotherapist and a treatment plan which may consist of: ultrasound, IFS, TENS, acupuncture, moist heat, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and stretching and home exercise programs.
The clinic offers assessments for $60 (compared to $80 standard rate) and treatment sessions for $30 (compared to $60 standard rate). For those who have $300 of coverage, this would allow for an assessment and eight treatment sessions at the new clinic, compared to an assessment and four treatment sessions at a standard rate.
Serving community demand for pediatric fine motor skills development program
In response to a need in the community, the College’s Performance clinic is now home to a new pediatric Fine Motor Skills Development program.
The program began in early November, and runs Mondays and Thursdays starting at 4:30 p.m. It focuses on developing fine motor skills in areas such as strength, dexterity, grasp, manipulation, and coordination. It will help children improve independence in two main areas: school participation in writing tasks, and/ or self-care tasks such as dressing, eating and grooming.
According to Sarah Cole, faculty member and registered OT who runs the OT side of the clinic, the new program will benefit Niagara residents by helping to alleviate wait times for those seeking assistance for their child’s fine motor issues, as well as access services at a reduced cost.
“I’m thrilled to be able to provide service with the community to a population in need, but also to provide students with a placement opportunity that will allow them to further develop their OTA-specific skills,” said Sarah Cole.
Clients will receive an assessment by a registered occupational therapist, who will also develop treatment plans for each client. OTA and PTA graduates working at the clinic will carry out the treatment plans along with OTA and PTA students who will provide clients with one-on-one support. At the end of the six-week program, clients will be provided with strategies and resources for the continued development of the child’s fine motor skills as needed.
Cost of the OT six week program is $300 including an assessment and 12 treatment sessions.
Book an appointment
For further information or to make an appointment call 905-735-2211 extension 7460 or email [email protected].
Visit the Performance Clinic page on the Niagara College website for information or to book an appointment online: www.niagaracollege.ca/allied-health-studies/programs/occupational-therapist-physiotherapist-assistant/clinic/
