Physical Therapist Assistant Technology - A.A.S. Download to print

The Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Technology program is offered at the Ashtabula and East Liverpool campuses. The degree program also offers an optional Athletic Trainers Transitions concentration, which is a transition program for post-baccalaureate students with athletic training certification. It is a 15-month blended-format program with online courses and two weekend lab classes each semester on the Ashtabula Campus.With the successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded the Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Technology and are eligible to take the licensing examination given by the Federation of State Boards of 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 a physical therapist to 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.
 

Physical therapist assistants held about 70,000 jobs in 2012. 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 grow much faster than average because of increasing demand for physical therapy services. Nationally there are 41,200 projected job openings from 2010-2020. Median annual wages of physical therapist assistants were 52,160 in 2012. (Source:  O*NET Online for the U.S. Department of Labor)
 

Students interested in the program should 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. Minimum admission cumulative GPA 2.7. Minimum C (2.0) grade for all program courses.
 

Minimum 66 credit hours. Minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA and in major.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Provide services that include safe, appropriate and effective physical therapy interventions and data collection within the plan of care established by a physical therapist.

2. Provide services that include effective communication with others, teaching or instructing when appropriate.

3. Provide services that include documentation to meet the legal and ethical expectations of the profession and third party regulators.

4. Provide services that include ethical, efficient and cost-effective fiscal and human resource management.

5. Provide services that include consistent  demonstration of the value-based behaviors of a PTA: Altruism, Caring and Compassion, Continuing Competence, Duty, Integrity, PT/PTA Collaboration, Responsibility and Social Responsibility.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
 

See individual campuses.