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Physical Therapist Assistant Degree Program

Hands-on physical therapist assistant training prepares you to help people heal. Online classes available!

20
monthsEarn your PTA associate degree
CAPTE
ACREDITED PROGRAM
2
locationsOntario and Anaheim
Want more details about the Physical Therapist Assistant program?

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Looking for an exciting field that lets you work directly with patients?

When you earn a physical therapist assistant degree, you learn to use stretching, exercises and your knowledge of the human body to improve patients' ability to move or reduce their pain.

Combine your love for exercise with your care for others by starting a career as a physical therapist assistant. Through injuries, accidents, and old age, the ability to move freely is an important part of living a healthy, daily life. Help patients live their lives to the fullest by restoring their ability to move.

Looking for the right physical therapist assistant school? ACC's 20-month Physical Therapist Assistant program focuses on hands-on training. With more than 600 hours of clinical experience built into the program, students get a real-life preparation to enter the healthcare field.

Find a physical therapist assistant program near you. Our program is available at our Ontario and Orange County campuses.

The physical therapist assistant degree program is taught in a blended format combining online classes and in-person instruction.

Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

 

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In ACC's Physical Therapist Assistant Program, You'll Learn to:

Learn to Develop Treatment Plans

Develop Treatment Plans

Learn to provide patient-specific treatments and techniques to advance functional rehabilitation.

Learn Patient Education

Educate Patients

Instruct patients on equipment use and therapeutic/home exercise programs.

Learn Functional Training

Help with Functional Training

Incorporate functional training with physical therapy treatment plans to aid patients in recovery

Physical Therapist Assistant
Overview

The American Career College Physical Therapist Assistant program is geared toward preparing you helps prepare graduates for a challenging, rewarding career as a physical therapist assistant. Get ready to provide support in exciting environments such as hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, clinics, medical offices and a range of other healthcare settings.

A physical therapist assistant’s duties may include:1

  • Providing help to individuals with health conditions that limit their ability to move and perform activities
  • Teaching patients exercises designed to increase mobility, coordination and strength
  • Treating patients by using techniques such as stretching
  • Informing the physical therapist of the patient’s response to treatment

1California Employment Development Department OCC Guide, Physical Therapist Assistants in California

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

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

Effective, Efficient Career Preparation

ACC's dynamic PTA school curriculum enables you to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become a qualified, competent and confident Physical Therapist Assistant.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is available at our Orange County (Anaheim) and Ontario campuses.

Accreditation Statement:

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Anaheim and Ontario is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.  To contact the program/institution directly, please call (714) 763- 9066 or email jLwin@americancareercollege.edu.

CAPTE Physical Therapist Assistant Student Achievement Measures  (Orange County Campus)

 

2020

2021

Two-Year Average

Graduation Rate

96%

95%

96%

First-Time Exam Pass Rate*

71%

76%

73%

Ultimate Licensure Exam Pass Rate*

90%

83%

87%

Employment Rate

100%

100%

100%

*Obtained from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Physical Therapist Assistant Gallery

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What does a physical therapist assistant do?

Physical Therapist Assistants, work closely with patients to improve their ability to move easily or without pain. They use their knowledge of human anatomy to help people who suffer from an injury, accident, surgery or general mobility issues. A PTA’s work will allow patients to live more active, pain-free lives

Here are some things physical therapist assistants do:

  • Teach patients basic exercises to improve range of motion and coordination
  • Provide treatment to improve patient mobility or relieve pain using techniques like stretching, soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, electrical stimulation and more
  • Communicate with the physical therapist to monitor patient progress and results
  • Put on or remove supportive devices such as braces or splints
  • Record the patient’s responses to treatment1

1California Employment Development Department Detailed Guide, Physical Therapist Assistants in California

Am I a good fit for the Physical Therapist Assistant program?

If you want a hands-on career that allows you to work with people one-on-one, you might enjoy physical therapy.

Here are some of the top skills and attributes that make for a great physical therapist assistant:

Communication – Because physical therapist assistants work directly with patients, they must be able to communicate effectively with them, explaining exercises, adaptive devices and more.

Monitoring – Physical therapist assistants should be able to monitor and assess their patients’ performance and progress.

Social perceptiveness – Being aware of and understanding patients’ reactions helps physical therapist assistants provide patient-centered service.

Service orientation – A great physical therapist assistant has a passion for helping patients and for providing the best care possible.

Instructing – Physical therapist assistants must be able to lead patients through exercises and other therapeutic interventions.

Where do physical therapist assistants work?

Physical therapy assistants can work in a variety of settings, including:

  • General medical and surgical hospitals
  • Home healthcare services
  • Nursing care facilities
  • Physical therapy clinics
  • Rehabilitation facilities
  • Offices of other health practitioners
  • Outpatient care centers1

1California Employment Development Department Detailed Guide, Physical Therapist Assistants in California

What will I learn in the Physical Therapist Assistant program?

The goal of the PTA school's program is to help you graduate with the confidence, knowledge
and qualifications to be a physical therapist assistant.

Physical therapist assistants play a critical role in helping physical therapists with the rehabilitation of rehabilitate patient —including accident victims, injured athletes, those suffering from burns, strokes, arthritis and more.

American Career College's Physical Therapist Assistant associate of Occupational Science
degree program encompasses two clinical courses at the conclusion of the classroom and
laboratory portion of the program. A total of 600 clinical hours is required for program
completion.

Clinical Practicum I

This clinical practicum experience provides each student with the opportunity to observe and apply basic skills performed within the classroom while under constant supervision in the clinical setting. The aim of this experience includes observation of departmental activities including familiarization in delegation while applying basic intervention skills, safety awareness, documentation, communication and modality application.

Clinical Practicum II

This clinical practicum experience is a full-time 10-week clinical affiliation where students will have the opportunity to experience clinical practice in a minimum of two rehabilitation settings. Upon completion, the student is expected to achieve knowledge and skills that are required to implement a plan of care under the direction of a licensed physical therapist to improve mobility and function of patients of varying diagnoses and impairments. Students are expected to perform clinical skills with increasing efficiency as well as implement knowledge learned through ongoing coursework including cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions related to prosthetics and orthotics. Attention will be paid to developing proficiency in the communication and interaction between a PT/PTA as well as demonstrating appropriate PT/PTA clinical relationship. The student will attain the ability to provide patient care with quality, efficiency, complexity and consistency under the supervision and guidance of a physical therapist and reflective of a PTA student progressing toward competency consistent with an entry level physical therapist assistant.

Didactic and Laboratory Courses

Various delivery methods are employed within the didactic portion of the school's program. Self-discovery methods and problem-based learning supplement standard lecture delivery platforms. In combination, these delivery methods will maximize exchange of information and encourage student initiative in and out of the clinical setting.

Documentation skills will be developed throughout the class curriculum, with emphasis placed on accurate documentation and its relationship to patient safety, practitioner communication, interdisciplinary plans of care, denied reimbursement and practice acts/laws.

Interdisciplinary instruction personnel from inside the college are incorporated into some classes, using the expertise of other program instructors (e.g., respiratory). Interdisciplinary instruction personnel from outside the college are incorporated into some classes, using the expertise of other clinical professionals (e.g., pharmacy).

Exposure to advanced equipment will be available to students in a newly constructed facility.

For a complete description of coursework in these modules, please refer to the ACC Catalog.

What is the difference between a physical therapist and a physical therapist assistant?

A physical therapist is a licensed healthcare professional with advanced education (typically a
doctoral degree) who evaluates, diagnoses and provides personalized treatment plans to help
patients recover from injuries, surgeries or manage chronic conditions.


A physical therapist assistant works under the guidance of a physical therapist. They have
completed an associate degree program and support the therapist by implementing treatment
plans, guiding patients through exercises and monitoring progress

How long is the Physical Therapist Assistant program?

Students can earn their associate degree to become a physical therapist assistant in as little as 20 months.

How is student achievement measured for a physical therapist assistant student?

CAPTE Physical Therapist Assistant Student Achievement Measures  (Orange County Campus)

 

2020

2021

Two-Year Average

Graduation Rate

96%

95%

96%

First-Time Exam Pass Rate*

71%

76%

73%

Ultimate Licensure Exam Pass Rate*

90%

83%

87%

Employment Rate

100%

100%

100%

 

*Obtained from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

How much does the Physical Therapist Assistant program cost?

ACC admissions advisors and financial aid advisors are here to support you. They can help you figure out the physical therapist assistant school cost and help you explore financial aid options.

To learn more about ACC’s Physical Therapy Assistant program cost, access our tuition info.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Will I get real-world PTA training?

Yes! ACC's Physical Therapist Assistant program includes over 600 hours of clinicals which gives students the opportunity to demonstrate and reinforce the knowledge and skills they acquired learning hands-on throughout the training program.

ACC-OC Faculty Spotlight: Janice Lwin

Physical Therapist Assistant
Combining classroom and in-the-field learning, you'll start your first job with confidence.

We focus our curriculum around the real-world skills you'll need to be successful in your career.

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"The time and the effort that everyone at ACC did to make sure every student was acknowledged - the difference is huge.

- Jessica C.

Physical Therapist Assistant
What's Happening at American Career College
Want more details about the Physical Therapist Assistant program?

By clicking above, I consent to receive calls, emails and/or text messages** by a college representative with information for educational opportunities at the number(s) provided above. I understand calls may be initiated by an automated telephone dialing system. I need not grant this consent to receive information or to be eligible to enroll with ACC. I also understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I can text back "Stop" at any time to unsubscribe from the service. (**Standard rates may apply.)

*Required

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