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Home > Physical Therapist Assistant |
 
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| Physical Therapist Assistant |
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 The Physical Therapist Assistant program blends classroom, lab, and clinical components into a two-year, five-semester Associate of Applied Science degree. This program includes three clinical rotations, each with a distinct focus. Graduates are eligible to take the state board licensing examination for the Physical Therapist Assistant in any state that offers this examination. A total of 76 hours are required for graduation. All who enter the course must be able to execute physical functions that are routinely required of the PTA.
The physical therapist assistant is a trained, paraprofessional health provider who, under the direction of a physical therapist, carries out the patient's treatment program. The physical therapist assistant, who follows the plan developed by the supervising physical therapist, is a vital member of the patient's healthcare team.
Responsibilities of the physical therapist assistant include: instructing patients in exercises and activities of normal daily living; performing treatments; utilizing special equipment; assisting in performing patient examinations, evaluations, and complex treatment procedures; monitoring and reporting the patient's reactions.
Our faculty believe that a graduate from the PTA program:
· will have an excellent chance of passing the state licensing examination on the first attempt.
· is a generalist and can practice in a wide variety of physical therapy environments
· will meet the expectations of the employers
· will be confident in their skills as an entry-level Physical Therapist Assistant
Our students learn to work as a clinical generalist and work under the direct supervision of Physical Therapists. They provide direct care including implementing the treatment plan, treating patients with therapeutic exercises, massage, and physical agents such as heat, cold, and electricity. There are many opportunities for qualified PTAs and the rewards of seeing a patient progress are great. PTAs help patients regain or maintain their independence. |
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History
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 In the late 1940s, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) House of Delegates anticipated growth in the physical therapy profession and examined the need for additional personnel to assist physical therapists. With the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965, the need for this personnel was greatly increased. In 1967, the first two Physical Therapist Assistant programs were created. Today, the number of PTA programs outnumbers PT.
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Our Graduates
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Surveys from employers of our graduates report very favorably that our graduates are rated for job performance relative to graduates of similar programs. They include comments on what our graduates demonstrate:
· Ability to research problems
· Teamwork
· Flexibility
· Ability to work well with staff and residents.
· Good oral and written communication
· Good interpersonal skills
Similar results are shown regarding a graduate’s ability to meet entry-level job expectations and the employer’s overall satisfaction with the work-related performance of graduates. |
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Career Outlook
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In 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average (increase 36 percent or more) through the year 2012, and that over the long run, demand for physical therapist assistants will continue to rise, in accordance with growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function.
A qualified PTA can earn $30,000 to $35,000 upon graduation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that the median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants were $36,080 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $30,260 and $42,780. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,530, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,910.
Median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants in 2002 were $35,870 in general medical and surgical hospitals and $35,750 in offices of other health practitioners. In addition, the Bureau reported (2001) that in Virginia, the average salary for a PTA was $38,910, and in the Roanoke area, the salary was $37,580.
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