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Physical Therapist Assistant Technology - A.A.S.

COLLEGE: Regional College
DEPARTMENT: Division of Health Occupations

Resources:

 
DESCRIPTION: The Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Technology program is offered at the Ashtabula and East Liverpool campuses. With the successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded the Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant and are eligible to take the licensing examination given by the state of Ohio Board of Occupational and Physical Therapy.

Physical therapist assistants provide treatment that improves patient mobility, relieves pain, and prevents or lessens physical disabilities of patients.  Physical therapist assistants work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists and provide exercise, instruction; therapeutic methods like electrical stimulation, mechanical traction, and ultrasound; massage; and gait and balance training. Physical therapist assistants record the patient's responses to treatment and report the outcome of each treatment to the physical therapist.

The associate degree in physical therapist assistant technology program reserves the right to initiate changes in the program as deemed necessary for maintaining quality education for the students.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
 Physical therapist assistants held about 63,800 jobs in 2008.  Physical Therapist Assistants work with physical therapists in a variety of settings. About 72 percent of jobs were in offices of other health practitioners and in hospitals. Others worked primarily in nursing care facilities, home healthcare services, and outpatient care centers.

Job prospects for physical therapist assistants are expected to be very good and employment is expected to grow much faster than average because of increasing demand for physical therapy services. Employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to grow by 33 percent from 2008 through 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Median annual wages of physical therapist assistants were $46,140 in May 2008. (source:  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS:
 Students interested in the program should apply directly to the Ashtabula Campus prior to October 1, or East Liverpool Campus prior to May 15, and meet with the campus program director. Applicants not admitted directly to the program may be admitted as pre-major students. Detailed information and requirements for admission may be obtained from the Ashtabula or East Liverpool campus program offices.
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS:
 Minimum 71 credit hours. Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and in major.
LANGUAGE
REQUIREMENT:		 None
PROGRAM FEE: None
ACCREDITATION:
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
STUDENT
ORGANIZATIONS:
 See individual campuses.