Physical Therapist Assistant

Description

The physical therapist assistant (PTA) program at Chaffey College leads to an associate in science degree and is designed to prepare graduates for a career in physical therapy. A PTA is a licensed clinician authorized to provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. To meet licensure requirements, students must graduate from an accredited program and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for the PTA and a jurisprudence exam.

The PTA program is three semesters in length and begins each summer semester. The program includes didactic, practical, and clinical educational experiences to develop entry-level knowledge, skills, and abilities. Upon CAPTE approval, the first cohort will begin in the summer of 2024. To apply for the program, applicants must complete all prerequisites before starting PTA coursework.

Applicants with a record of any felony are subject to review by the Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC) before a license can be granted. Therefore, please contact the PTBC before applying to the PTA program to clarify eligibility for licensure.

Accreditation Statement

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

Effective October 31, 2023, Chaffey College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (909) 652-7469 or email adeel.rizvi@chaffey.edu.

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon the successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

1. Adhere to legal practice standards and demonstrate a professional attitude and moral reasoning skills consistent with APTA’s Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant, Standards of Ethical Conduct, and Values Based Behaviors for the Physical Therapist Assistant to meet the needs and expectations of all stakeholders involved in the practice of physical therapy.
2. Coordinate effective therapy services, including discontinuation of care, by producing accurate clinical documentation and exhibiting effective communication skills (verbal/nonverbal/written) with all stakeholders – patients/clients, family members, caregivers, healthcare providers, payers, policymakers, product makers, principal investigators, and purchasers – during the provision of interprofessional and collaborative care.
3. Display self-awareness and empathy while acting with consideration to diverse cultures, genders, values, preferences, socioeconomic status, lifespan, and expressed needs to apply and integrate current knowledge, theory, evidence-based resources, and clinical judgment to support clinical decision-making while effectively executing the plan of care developed by a physical therapist to achieve short and long-term goals.
4. Maintain and promote healthcare provider and patient/client safety while implementing interventions and collecting data essential to the execution of the plan of care developed by the physical therapist; includes reviewing health records prior to implementation, conducting an appropriate interview and providing proper patient education, and monitoring/adjusting interventions based on patient responses, reporting changes, and recognizing when interventions should not be performed based on patient responses, red flags, or if beyond the scope of practice for a physical therapist assistant.

Other Information

Health and Wellness

Local Program (Major) Code: S300

Program Control Number: 42987

TOP Code: .

CIP Code: 51.0806