Physical Therapist Assistant

Summary

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program prepares the student for employment as a physical therapist assistant. The physical therapist assistant, working under the supervision and direction of a licensed physical therapist, assists in the provision of physical therapy services including manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic modalities, and functional training across the lifespan.

Award Note: The Associate Degree requires a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units.

Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Physical Therapist Assistant Program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors consistent with professional standards and practice.
2. Select and perform safe and effective interventions within the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) scope of practice and Physical Therapist’s plan of care.
3. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, as appropriate for a PTA.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of California physical therapy laws and regulations.
5. Participate in self-assessment and develop plans to improve knowledge, skills, and behavior as appropriate for a PTA.
6. Incorporate an understanding of the implications of individual and cultural differences, and adapt behavior and delivery of care accordingly in all aspects of physical therapy services with respect to patients’ values, preferences, and needs.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA., 22305-3085; Telephone: 703-706-3245) and approved by the Physical Therapy Board of California. Graduates are eligible to take the examination for licensure as a physical therapist assistant.

Directed Clinical Practice Requirement

Students accepted into this program will be required to successfully complete DCP, clinically based courses held in health care facilities. These facilities may require background checks, including fingerprinting and drug screening, as a condition of placement at the clinic.

Refusal to submit to a background check, or failure to meet clearance criteria established by the health care facility, may prevent placement in DCP courses and thus, it may not be possible to successfully complete the program.

Health care facilities also require adherence to strict standards of conduct. Facilities may refuse educational access to any person who does not adhere to the facility’s standards of safety, health and ethical behavior. This may be cause of removal from the program.

Admission Criteria

Eligibility for enrollment in this program is determined by a special admission procedure. Interested persons should review program information on the website on how to apply.

A grade of “C” or better must be maintained in all courses to continue in the program. Course repetition in this program is not permitted. The program is governed by the Allied Health Department Policies.

Requirements