The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program prepares students to provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of physical therapists in a variety of settings and is an exciting opportunity for those who desire to put their motivational, creative problem-solving and people skills to work helping others. Under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, physical therapist assistants work as a team to provide rehabilitative therapies to various populations including athletes, amputees, the disabled and those recovering from an illness or injury. These therapies improve daily independence and quality of life by maximizing balance, strength, alignment, coordination, flexibility and overall mobility. Practice settings demand ethical and moral conduct and a high degree of critical thinking, especially when responding to patient/client and/or environmental emergency situations. Students entering this program must be committed to the full-time course load required of this degree, which leads graduates to a challenging, in-demand and rewarding career.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is offered exclusively at the Edison State at Troy location.
Accreditation ►
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Edison State Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703.706.3245; email accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 937.778.7936 or email ptaprogram@edisonohio.edu.
►Click here for the PTA Program Application Packet
►Click here for the PTA Student Handbook 2020-21
►Click here for the PTA Student Outcomes
►Click here for the PTA Program Public Comment | Complaint Policy
►Click here for Clinical Corner (Resources for Clinical Instructors)
Physical Therapist Assistant Program Applicants ►
In addition to complying with the College’s general admission procedures, Physical Therapist Assistant applicants must successfully complete with a grade of “C” or better:
►one year of high school chemistry. Applicants may take Introduction to Chemistry (CHM 110S) as an equivalent course (deadline May 31);
►one year of high school physics. Applicants may take Introduction to Physics (PHY 110S) as an equivalent course (deadline May 31).
and have:
►a satisfactory math assessment score (Accuplacer 263, ACT 22, or SAT 520) and three years of college preparatory mathematics, or a grade of “C” or better in Intermediate Algebra II (MTH 099D) (deadline May 31);
►satisfactory assessment scores in reading and writing (Accuplacer 250 on reading, ACT 22, or SAT 480) to be ready to take Composition I (ENG 121S) or successfully complete Developmental Reading and Writing (ENG 092D) (deadline May 31);
►completed Introduction to Computers (CIS 100S) or have a satisfactory computer assessment score to be placed out of this course (deadline by May 31);
►submitted a Physical Therapist Assistant program application by January 31 of the year of desired admission into the program. Admission packets are available in September of the preceding year. Admission is selective as program space is limited; and
►submitted a clear plan in writing detailing how they intend to meet the specific requirements detailed in bullet points 1-5 above.
Criteria for selection of applicants to be admitted into the program include a combination of ►
►satisfactory high school record or GED score;
►satisfactory ACT, SAT or placement scores as defined above;
►successful completion of required high school or developmental courses;
►overall GPA of 2.5 for previous high school and college work with a minimum grade of “C” in Composition I (ENG 121S) , Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 125S) , Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 126S) , General Statistics (MTH 125S) , (Introduction to Physics) PHY 110S , Introduction to Health Care (ALH 101S) and Health Care Medical Terminology (ALH 151S) or equivalents;
►satisfactory verbal and written answers to questions posed during an individual interview session;
►completion of a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer and/or observation and/or work experience in at least two Physical Therapy settings (hospital acute, outpatient, skilled nursing facility, pediatric, school-based therapy), with at least 10 hours of this time directly working with a physical therapist assistant. This experience should be completed within 3 years prior to admission to the program. Applicant must complete written documentation of volunteer/observation on the PTA observation form obtained from the Physical Therapist Assistant program; and
►the ability to meet the essential functions of the Physical Therapist Assistant program and the following:
►taking responsibility for own learning;
►being committed to completing the PTA curriculum;
►demonstrating values congruent with those of health care personnel;
►exhibiting responsibility for demonstrating attitudes and behaviors expected of the physical therapist assistant;
►using effective interpersonal skills, including sensitivity to diversity;
►demonstrating timely and accurate communication with all individuals involved with the program;
►showing responsibility for adhering to institutional and program policies and procedures as documented in the PTA Student Handbook;
►showing active participation and partnering in the planning and preparation for clinical experiences;
►exhibiting awareness that a legal and binding contract exists between the academic program and the clinical site; and
►participating in the ongoing assessment of all aspects of the physical therapist assistant program.
The selection committee will review all Physical Therapist Assistant applications and select the applicants that will begin the curriculum beginning in the next fall semester. All applicants will receive written notification of the status of their application by March 31.
Those selected for the program are required to have a physical and medical health form including essential functions completed by a physician, a successful background check and drug screen (deadline August 1).
NOTE Registration in and completion of support/general education courses listed does not guarantee selection into the Physical Therapist Assistant program.
Program Outcomes ►
The student will
►perform in a safe manner that minimizes the risk to patient, self and others;
►demonstrate expected clinical behaviors in a professional manner in all situations;
►perform in a manner consistent with established legal standards, standards of the profession and ethical guidelines;
►adapt delivery of physical therapy services with consideration for patients’ differences, values, preferences and needs;
►communicate in ways that are congruent with situational needs;
►participate in self-assessment and develops plans to improve knowledge, skills and behaviors;
►demonstrate clinical problem solving;
►perform selected therapeutic exercises in a competent manner;
►apply selected manual therapy, airway clearance and integumentary repair and protection techniques in a competent manner;
►apply selected physical agents and mechanical modalities in a competent manner;
►apply selected electrotherapeutic modalities in a competent manner;
►perform functional training in self-care and home management and application and adjustment of devices and equipment in a competent manner;
►produce quality documentation in a timely manner to support the delivery of physical therapy services; and
►participate in the efficient delivery of physical therapy services.
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