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Health Professions: Physical Therapist Assistant: PTA FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is physical therapy?
- What does a physical therapist assistant (PTA) do?
- What tasks could a physical therapist assistant perform during a typical workday?
- What is the difference between a physical therapist and a physical therapist assistant?
- What is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy?
- What is the job outlook for the field of physical therapy?
- Can a physical therapist assistant become a physical therapist?
- What pre-requisites are needed when applying to TCC's PTA program?
- What are the qualifications for entry into the PTA program?
- How many applicants are admitted to the program each year?
- What is the total cost of the program?
- What are the career opportunities for a PTA?
- What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy is the care and service provided by or under
the supervision of a physical therapist to individuals in pain,
or to those with impaired mobility after disease, illness, injury,
or surgery. Physical Therapy clinicians work with individuals of
all ages including, but not limited to, those who have suffered
stroke, head injury, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s
disease, amputation, spinal cord injury, knee surgery, or shoulder
injury.
- What does a physical therapist assistant (PTA) do?
PTAs perform the majority of direct patient care visits once the PT has evaluated the patient and established the treatment plan. They are employed in many practice settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, outpatient clinics, sports medicine clinics, private practice, industry, and school systems. For more information visit: AboutPTAs
- What tasks could a physical therapist assistant perform during a typical workday?
Depending on the setting in which you work, a typical day for
a Physical Therapist Assistant may include:
• Assisting patients after surgery or following a disease
in basic skills such as: getting in and out of bed, getting in
and out of a chair, and walking.
•
Teaching exercises to strengthen and stretch weak and tight muscles.
•
Teaching balance and coordination exercises.
•
Teaching patients to walk again with an artificial leg.
•
Performing modalities such as ultrasound, traction, hydrotherapy,
and electrical stimulation.
•
Promoting health and wellness in fitness centers and schools.
•
Consulting with employers and employees about preventing injury
in the workplace.
•
Working with children of all ages on gaining independence for everyday
activities such as sitting, eating, walking, and going to school.
- What is the difference between a physical therapist and a physical therapist assistant?
A Physical Therapist holds a doctorate degree. They are responsible for performing initial evaluations for new patients, higher-level skills such as joint mobilization, and supervising Physical Therapist Assistants.
A PTA earns an associate’s degree in applied science, holds a state license to practice and works under the supervision of a PT. They perform the majority of direct patient care once the Physical Therapist has evaluated the patient and the treatment plan has been established.
- What is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy?
Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists often work together
as members of the health care team. Physical Therapy treatment
focuses on assisting individuals regain or improve movement and
mobility. Occupational Therapy treatment focuses on assisting individuals
regain or improve self-care skills, work skills, and leisure skills.
- What is the job outlook for the field of physical therapy?
Employment opportunities for PTAs are growing due to the rising costs of healthcare, an increase in the number of elderly and an increase in the number of sports injuries among adolescents.
Over the past two years, all graduates from this program
found employment either during their final clinical rotation or
shortly after graduation.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010 including descriptions, projections, and salary expectations: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos167.htm
- Can a physical therapist assistant become a physical therapist?
A Physical Therapist Assistant can become a Physical Therapist.
You must complete a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
such as Exercise Science or Biology. Then you apply to the Physical
Therapist program, which awards the successful candidate an entry-level
doctorate degree.
- What pre-requisites are needed when applying to TCC's PTA program?
- BIO 141 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I)*
- PHY 100 (Elements of Physics)*
- ENG 111 (College Composition I)*
- PSY 230 (Developmental Psychology)
- SDV 101 (Orientation to Healthcare)
- HLT 105 (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) or HLT 130 (Nutrition and Diet Therapy)
*Curricular changes for 2014 Applicants*
•
Twenty hours of documented observation or work hours in each of two different physical therapy practice settings (i.e., outpatient
and acute care, skilled nursing facility and outpatient, etc.)
under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist
assistant. Forty hours total.
•
Two recommendation forms from employers, clinicians, or professors.
• Recommend completion of BIO 142 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II),
Humanities elective, and Social Sciences elective to earn points toward admission.
*BIO 141 may require that you first take BIO 01 (Foundations of Biology), CHM
01 (Chemistry I), or HLT 143 (Medical Terminology I) if you have never taken
or have not recently taken high school or college biology or chemistry. If
you are unsure you need to take one of these classes speak to the Counseling
Center by calling (757) 822-7211.
*PHY 100 may require that you first take MTE 7 if you have never
taken or have not recently taken high school or college algebra. If you are
unsure if you need to take one of these classes speak to the Counseling Center
by calling (757) 822-7211. The Counseling Center may advise you to take a Math
Placement test to check your knowledge level.
*ENG 111 may require that you first take an English placement test to check
your reading and writing skills. If you are unsure if you need to take one
of these classes speak the Counseling Center by calling (757) 822-7211.
- What are the qualifications for entry into the PTA program?
- Satisfactory verbal, reading, and written skills to effectively
and promptly communicate in English.
- Sufficient eyesight to read paper or computer generated medical
records; read instrument panels; apply therapeutic modalities
such as ice, heat, and electrical stimulation; monitor patients
for adverse reactions to treatment; adjust assistive devices;
and make visual observations regarding posture and functional
abilities (bed mobility, transfers, and ambulation).
- Sufficient hearing to communicate with patients and other members
of the healthcare team, monitor patients by hearing instrument
signals and alarms.
- Sufficient smell to assess patient status and maintain a safe
practice environment.
- Sufficient fine touch discrimination to palpate pathologic changes
in soft tissue.
- Sufficient fine and gross motor coordination to manipulate/operate
equipment controls and to perform manual treatment/assessment
techniques including, but not limited to, massage; ultrasound;
electrical stimulation; stretching; neuromuscular re-education;
goniometry; and manual muscle testing.
- Satisfactory physical strength to transport, move or lift patient
requiring all levels of assistance and to perform prolonged periods
of standing, walking, sitting, bending, crawling, reaching, pushing,
and pulling.
- Satisfactory intellectual, emotional, and interpersonal skills to ensure patient safety; exercise independent judgment and discretion
in the performance of assigned responsibilities, and interact
with patients, families, and other health care workers.
10. How many applicants are admitted to the program each year?
25-30 applicants are admitted each year. More information can be found in the PTA program packet
11. What is the total cost of the program?
The program consists of 71 credit hours spread over five semesters. Current rates can be found on TCC's tuition webpage.
12. What are the career opportunities for a PTA?
PTA's are employed in many types
of clinics including:
- hospitals,
- rehabilitation centers,
- nursing
homes,
- home health,
- outpatient clinics,
- sports medicine clinics,
- private industry, and
- schools.
Find PTA jobs.
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