Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

• How the body moves and functions and the healing process. 
• How to help others gain or regain strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and functional mobility.
• How to use technology to continually learn and advance in your field.
• How to incorporate all aspects of health and wellness. 

• Help others manage pain, and promote healing and recovery by utilizing:
  
  • modalities such as electrotherapy, ultrasound, hydro/aquatic therapy, thermotherapy, etc.
  • interventions such as soft tissue massage and other mobilization techniques.
  • interventions to optimize skin, tissue, and joint integrity.
• Motivate others to build strength & endurance, optimize balance & coordination, enhance motion, and restore function after injury or illness which includes utilizing:
  
  • tests and measurements that promote evidenced based practice.
  • exercises and manual techniques that train the neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, and vestibular systems.
  • gait analyses and training to promote optimal mobility.
• Educate others on overall health, wellness, and injury prevention.

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide patient care and treatment under the supervision of a physical therapist (PT). The PTA works closely with the PT to carry out the plan of care which is created by the PT. The PTA collects and reports various tests and measurements and carries out interventions that improve an individual’s overall physical performance and wellness by managing pain, increasing strength, re-educating neuromuscular activity, and improving endurance, balance, and coordination. These interventions may include the use of various physical agents to help heal tissue, manage pain, and re-educate muscle performance. 

A PTA will also utilize therapeutic techniques, manual techniques, and specialized rehabilitative equipment to enhance another individual’s overall functional mobility, wellness, and quality of life after injury or illness.  This functional mobility may include home, work, school, and/or sport specific activities. Some examples include educating and training an individual on muscular and postural imbalances, endurance techniques, airway clearance activities, transitional and transfer techniques, joint protection, and safe and efficient ambulation. The PTA will work with all ages in a variety of settings (i.e., hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, schools, home health, private practice, out-patient clinics, sports medicine facilities, emergency care centers, hospice, physician offices, traveling agencies, etc.) Overall health and wellness and education on injury prevention are also integral components in our curriculum.   

Our PTA program is considered a 1+1 model. In this model, the General Education Courses (Phase I) are completed prior to the PTA Clinical Courses (Phase II). This 1+1 model offers flexibility for students wishing to complete the General Education Courses over a short or long period of time. It is also an excellent option for students who hold another degree in related fields such as athletic training or exercise science/physiology and wish to work as a PTA.

For more detailed information, view the PTA Program booklet below.