Physical Therapist Assistant

Winter 2019

Enrollment:

Fall (application due winter quarter prior)

Degrees and Certificates

Program Website:

View the program website

Tuition and Fees

http://www.ccs.spokane.edu/TuitionFees

Additional Costs

Books$1434

Program Description

SFCC offers a two-year program which includes study in anatomy and physiology, social science, technical physical therapy courses and practical clinical experience in area health care facilities affiliated with the college. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The technical courses for the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program are not designed to transfer to four-year schools.

Physical therapist assistants duties include: a) designing exercise programs and treatments that are within the plan of care proposed by the physical therapist b) training patients to use special equipment that will make life easier; c) applying equipment such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound which decrease pain and increase functions; and d) keeping records and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's progress.

Physical therapist assistants work with all ages and are employed in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pediatric facilities or school systems, private physical therapy clinics, home health care agencies, and extended care facilities. A national licensing examination is required for most states in order to practice as a physical therapist assistant.

Admission Requirements:
--Completion of the physical therapist assistant program application booklet which is available at the SFCC counseling center. Applications are accepted during the winter quarter preceding fall quarter entry into the program.
--Appropriate placement scores in assessment tests for ENGL& 101 and Math.
--A minimum of 2.0 in BIOL& 241
--Documentation of either paid or volunteer experience in a medical setting (preferably physical therapy).
--Each successful PTA applicant may be required to complete a background check, drug testing and submit proof of immunization. Clinical facilities may deny access to a student for any of the following: While entrance to the PTA Program may not be denied because of such a rating, without access to the clinical facilities a student may not be able to satisfactorily complete the PTA program and will be so advised.

--Essential requirements needed for the profession which include communication skills, cognitive demands, physical skills and behavioral, social and professional skills are discussed in greater detail in the Program Information Booklet located on our website.

The PTA program incorporates a selective process for admission. This process uses a point system based on coursework and experience as outlined in the application. Please be aware that the completion of all prerequisites does not ensure admission to the program.

Program Learning Outcomes


1. Performs in a safe manner that minimizes the risk to patient, self, and others.
2. Demonstrates expected clinical behaviors in a professional manner in all situations.
3. Performs in a manner consistent with established legal standards, standards of the profession, and ethical guidelines.
4. Adapts delivery of physical therapy services with consideration for patients’ differences, values, preferences, and needs.
5. Communicates in ways that are congruent with situational needs.
6. Participates in self-assessment and develops plans to improve knowledge, skills, and behaviors.
7. Demonstrates clinical problem solving.
8. Performs selected therapeutic exercises and associated data collection in a competent manner.
9. Applies selected manual therapy, airway clearance, and integumentary repair and protection techniques, and performs associated data collection in a competent manner.
10. Applies selected physical agents and mechanical modalities and performs associated data collection in a competent manner
11. Applies selected electrotherapeutic modalities, and performs associated data collection in a competent manner.
12. Performs functional training in self-care and home management, applies and adjust devices and equipment, and performs associated data collection in a competent manner.
13. Produces quality documentation in a timely manner to support the delivery of physical therapy services.
14. Participates in the effiecient delivery of physical therapy services.

 “Adapted from http://www:apta.org/PTACPI/, with permission of the American Physical Therapy Association.  Copyright ©2008 American Physical Therapy Association.  All rights reserved.”
 



 

Career Opportunities

Nationally, job placement of PTA graduates is excellent. The physical therapist assistant profession is rated by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics as one of the fastest growing professions through 2021. Starting salaries vary in range, but start at approximately $19-$27 per hour. Licensure is required in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

AAS - SFCC

Offered at Locations:  Spokane Falls Community College

Prerequisites

-  BIOL&241 Human A & P 1 

First Quarter

PTA  101Introduction to Physical Therapy 3
PTA  102Physical Therapy Terminology 1
PTA  106Regional Human Anatomy and Physiology 5
PTA  110PTA Procedures I: Basic PT Procedures Seminar 3
PTA  170PTA Procedures I: Basic PT Procedures Lab 4
16

Second Quarter

PTA  103Applied Anatomy 3
PTA  104Survey of Pathophysiology 5
PTA  105Introduction to Neuroscience 4
PTA  107Physical Therapy Documentation 1
PTA  173Applied Anatomy Lab 3
16

Third Quarter

PTA  111PTA Procedures II: PT Modalities Seminar 3
PTA  112PTA Procedures III: Functional Restoration Seminar 3
PTA  151Clinical Experience I 1
PTA  171PTA Procedures II: PT Modalities Lab 4
PTA  172PTA Procedures III: Functional Restoration Lab 4
15

Fourth Quarter

ENGL&101English Composition I 25
MATH 94Algebra II 35
PSYC&100General Psychology 45
15

Fifth Quarter

PTA  202Introduction to Orthopedics 3
PTA  210PTA Procedures IV: Therapeutic Exercise Seminar 3
PTA  212PTA Procedures VI: Pediatric Rehab Seminar 1
PTA  251Clinical Experience II 1
PTA  254Clinical Seminar II 1
PTA  270PTA Procedures IV: Therapeutic Exercise Lab 4
PTA  272PTA Procedures VI: Pediatric Rehab Lab 2
15

Sixth Quarter

PTA  201Issues in Physical Therapy and Health Care 2
PTA  203Physical Therapy Preparatory Lab 1
PTA  211PTA Procedures V: Rehab Applications Seminar 3
PTA  252Clinical Experience III 3
PTA  255Clinical Seminar III 1
PTA  271PTA Procedures V: Rehab Applications Lab 4
14

Seventh Quarter

PTA  253PTA Clinical Affiliation 12
12
103 credits are required for the AAS
1Must have been taken within the last five years and completed with a 2.0 grade or better. Coursework older than five years will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Even though BIOL& 160 is not a prerequisite for BIOL& 241 for PTA students, it is recommended. You must contact the counseling center in order to waive BIOL& 160 as a prerequisite for BIOL& 241.
2Admission preference is given to students who complete these courses prior to entry into the program. May be substituted with approval of program chair. Credits may be taken during summer between first and second year. Credits from these courses are included in the total credits for degree.
3MATH 092 or MATH 096 may be substituted for MATH 094. Placement test is needed to determine eligibility if a college level math has not been taken.
4Abnormal Psychology may be substituted for PSYC& 100 General Psychology

Disclaimer: The college cannot guarantee courses will be offered in the quarters indicated. During the period this guide is in circulation, there may be curriculum revisions and program changes. Students are responsible for consulting the appropriate academic unit or adviser for more current and specific information. the information in this guide is subject to change and does not constitute an agreement between the college and the student.