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Physical Therapist Assistant

Southeast Community College is proud to offer the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Classes began in July 2009.

Overview

Physical therapist assistants provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, and more. Care provided by a PTA may include teaching patients/clients exercise for mobility; strength and coordination; training for activities such as walking with crutches, canes, or walkers; massage; and the use of physical agents and electrotherapy such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation. (www.apta.org)

Southeast Community College’s PTA program graduates earn an associate of applied science degree after seven quarters of full-time study and become eligible to take the National Examination and apply for state certification.

The PTA program is comprised of 109.5 quarter credits and admits up to 20 students annually, beginning in the Summer Quarter (July).  The curriculum sequence begins with general education courses, followed by technical physical therapist assistant education courses.

During clinical education, the students will have the opportunity to use classroom knowledge and laboratory skills to provide care to patients in a health care facility under the direction of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Students will complete three clinical education experiences at pre-approved clinical sites. Some clinical sites are located outside of the Lincoln area. Students are responsible for their own books, fees, travel and lodging during the clinical experiences.

Mission and Philosophy

To prepare competent entry level physical therapist assistants through educational opportunities in the classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences to deliver quality care

PTA JOB OUTLOOK:

Workforce Development (Nebraska Department of Labor) data indicates that the average wage for physical therapist assistants in Nebraska is $18.40 per hour. The Occupational Outlook
Handbook for 2008-2009 reports annual earnings between $26,190 and $57,220, with 50 percent of therapist assistants earning between $33,840 and $49,010. Many employers provide some type of fringe benefits and some flexibility for scheduling work hours.

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Philosophy

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is deeply committed to providing an accessible and affordable program and accepts its charge to provide high quality education. Meeting the needs of the community by graduating competent, entry level physical therapist assistants prepared to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist will be achieved through discussions and feedback from clinical educators, employers, advisory committee members and students to assure the curriculum content is contemporary. For the physical therapist assistant to provide care in an ethical, safe and effective manner it is essential to understand the academic concepts and principles from which treatment techniques and procedures are developed.

The student physical therapist assistant will have opportunities to practice skills and procedures over an extended period of time under the supervision of faculty and clinical educators. The opportunity to acquire this knowledge and skill set is through classroom theory, laboratory practice and in clinical education.

The curriculum is designed to advance students from basic knowledge to application of the material upon graduation as entry level practitioners. Information taught in general education courses will be more developed in the technical education courses and effective communication skills will be practiced throughout. The courses will prepare students to understand theory, think independently and develop problem solving skills. The program aims to foster an atmosphere where students feel respected and supported to pursue personal and lifelong professional learning.

Requirements

Health Statement
Physicians Lab
Immunization Information

The Self-Advising Sheet includes a list of required courses for the Program. General Education courses may be taken at SCC or at any accredited college or university and must meet SCC requirements for course transfer.

How to enroll in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program:

 1) Complete an application for admission

2) High school graduate or GED

3) Health Statement completed

4) Placement into English Composition and Intermediate College Algebra by taking ACT, Compass, Asset (must be ready to take College Algebra in second quarter)

Special Program Requirements

1) A criminal background check will be required of each student in this program. Based on the outcome of the background check, a student may be prevented from taking certain courses, accessing certain laboratory experiences, or completing the program. A nonrefundable fee of $45 will be assessed for this CBC.

2) Computer skills in keyboarding and Windows will be helpful.

3) All courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C+ (75%) to progress in the program, and all PTAS classes must be taken in sequence.

4) Current CPR required prior to clinical education.

5) Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology I and II, English Composition, Introduction to Psychology, Speech, and College Algebra must be successfully completed before any PTAS core courses may be taken.

6) Complete program orientation when invited by the program faculty.

7)   All students are required to have liability insurance.  Cost of this insurance is included in the student fees at the beginning of each quarter that includes clinical education.