Physical Therapist Assistant
Mission
North Shore Community College's Physical Therapist Assistant Program offers a comprehensive curriculum which emphasizes theory and contemporary physical therapy treatment interventions for promoting health, preventing disease and maximizing function among clients of all ages, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. The program is designed to prepare students for entry level practice in various health care settings suh as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, schools, home health agencies and community programs. The faculty fosters lifelong learning, commitment to the physical therapy profession and servicing the community.
Learning OutcomesUpon completion of the PTA program, students will:- Demonstrate adherence to federal and state legal practice standards, institutional regulations and Standards for Ethical Conduct in response to patient/client care and fiscal management
- Demonstrate professionalism through expression of a positive attitude and cooperation, learning, acceptance of constructive criticism, attendance, time management, adaptability, and conflict management
- Demonstrate an appreciation for cultural diversity, values, preferences and expressed needs with respect to all physical therapy activities
- Demonstrate the ability to problem solve and analyze quantitative and qualitative data
- Provide effective and safe physical therapy treatment intervention in alignment with data collection, treatment modification and progression
- Discuss and justify the rationale for administration of selected physical therapy treatment interventions
- Describe how the profession of physical therapy contributes to societal well being
- Advocate towards improving community access to physical therapy services
- Demonstrate a desire to seek professional development necessary to maintain current with physical therapy practice
Programs of Study
A high school diploma, GED, or passing score on a
federally approved Ability To Benefit Test is required for admission
to all programs. Contact the Admissions Office
for more information.
Announcements
Student Handbook
Students and applicants may access the 2009-2010 Student Handbook by downloading the handbook here (PDF).
Physical Therapist Assistant Information Sessions for Fall 2010 admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program will be held on the following dates and times on the Danvers campus, Health Professions Building, in room DH 124(unless otherwise specified). Please note that signing up to attend one ofthe session is not necessary.
Thursday,September 17 2009, 3-4 pm
Thursday,October 15 2009, 3-4pm
Thursday November 19 2009, 3-4 pm
Thursday December 10 2009, 3-4 pm
Wednesday,January 27 2010, 3-4 pm
Wednesday, February 17 2010 , 3-4 pm
Thursday, March 18 2010, 3-4 pm ***to be held in DH 202***
Wednesday, April 21 2010, 3-4 pm
Applicants must attend one of the above information sessions for acceptance into the program. It is strongly recommended that applicants plan on attending a session early in the semester and before the Ferbruary 2010 application deadline.
October is National Physical Therapy Month! The art of caring and the science of healing!
New Part-Time PTA OptionThe PTA program now offers a part-time option that allows students to spread coursework over three years instead of two. This is a great option for working adults with career and family obligations that make it difficult to go full-time. Classes are offered during the day only. Download the Part-Time PTA Option Sheet (pdf 8k).
Program Accreditation
Commission on Accredition for Physical Therapy Education
Massachusetts Board of Allied Health
Web Resources
American Physical Therapy Association
A national professional organization representing more than 63,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
this will help you find a job.
Employment Outlook
Visit the US Bureau of Labor Statistics for general information and statistics about the PTA profession nationwide.
Profile of a PTA
The Physical Therapist Assistant: A Profile
WHO ARE PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS?
Physical therapist assistants, or PTAs, are technically educated health care professionals who work under the supervision of physical therapists in the provision of physical therapy services.
WHAT DO PTAs DO?
Duties of the PTA include assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs, teaching patients exercises for dsiease prevention ad health promotion, conducting treatments, and reporting to the physical therapist on the patients'overall response and outcomes of treatment.
WHAT DO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS EARN?
According to APTA member surveys, the median income for an entry level physical therapist assistant is approximately $40,000 to $41,000 annualy . PTAs who were employed in the southern and western regions of the nation earned the highest median salary.
WHERE DO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS WORK?
Physical therapist assistants work in hospitals, private physical therapy offices, community health centers, corporate or industrial health centers, sports facilities, research institutions, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, schools, pediatric centers, and colleges and universities.
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A PTA?
Physical therapist assistants must complete a 2-year education program, typically offered through a community or junior college. Candidates receive an associate's degree upon graduation. The course of study includes usually 1 year of general education and 1 year of technical courses on physical therapy procedures and clinical experience. There are 266 accredited physical therapist assistant education programs throughout the country, graduating more than 5,000 PTAs annually.
WHAT ARE THE LICENSURE, REGISTRATION, OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS?
Currently, more than half of all states require physical therapist assistants to be licensed, registered, or certified. States requiring licensure stipulate specific educational and examination criteria. Information on practice acts and regulations may be obtained by contacting the licensure board in your state.
Questions or comments to mmeng@northshore.edu.
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