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Associate of Occupational Science, Physical Therapist Assistant

Locations: Orange County and Ontario

Overview

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP): 51. 0806 (Physical Therapist Assistant)

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants)

Quarter Credits: 96.0

Clock Hours: 1590

Method of Delivery: Blended

Number of Weeks: 80*

*Weeks May Be Extended Depending On Holiday Schedules

Career Training Objective

The Physical Therapist Assistant (Associate of Occupational Science) program prepares students to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment and observe and record patient progress. Physical Therapist Assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, ambulatory health care services, hospitals, school settings, federal and county health settings, occupational health settings, and residential care facilities for the elderly.

In the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, students learn applied anatomy and physiology, applied kinesiology, principles and procedures of physical therapy, basic pediatric, developmental, and geriatric physical therapy principles, neurology and orthopedics, documentation skills, interprofessional communication, psychosocial aspects of healthcare, wound and integumentary care, modalities and electrotherapy, rehabilitation principles in orthotic and prosthetic management, personal and professional ethics, cultural competence and application in healthcare, and healthcare business and management principles and application. Correlated clinical experiences take place in the last two terms of the program.

The training program is divided into eight 10- week terms. General education courses and the PTA core courses are integrated throughout the program. The clinical practicum experience begins in term seven. Successful completion of clinical experiences in varied clinical settings under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist is required.

In the state of California, all applicants for PTA licensure must qualify for and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) (Physical Therapist Assistant Examination) and the California Law Examination (CLE), which relates to the practice of physical therapy in California.

Completion of the program is acknowledged by the award of an Associate of Occupational Science degree. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program in Orange County is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), (CAPTE 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; Phone: 703-706-3245; Email: accreditation@apta.org; Website: http://www.capteonline.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (714) 763-9173 or email jLwin@americancareercollege.edu. Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited program is required for eligibility to sit for the licensing exam.;

The PTA program is designed to help students acquire the knowledge and training to be able to:

Perform physical therapy skills and techniques in a safe, competent manner that minimizes risk to the patient, self and others.
Demonstrate professional behavior at all times in the classroom and clinical environments
Abide by professional legal and ethical standards as outlined by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
Provide competent physical therapy services by taking into consideration patients’ differences, values, preferences and needs.
Demonstrate effective communication and be able to adapt to situational patient needs.
Become competent, effective physical therapist assistants through continual self-assessment of knowledge, skills and behaviors.
Demonstrate clinical problem solving when determining patient status, changes in patient status, patient data collection, and need for plan of care modification and or need for other services.
Understand effective and appropriate documentation for physical therapy services.
Manage resources by participating in the efficient delivery of PT services.

Learn more about ACC's Physical Therapist Assistant Program