Physical Therapist Assistant Program Code 105241

Employment Potential

A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment as a Physical Therapist Assistant. The State of Wisconsin does require a license to practice as a physical therapist assistant.

Physical Therapist Assistant: assists the physical therapist in the provision of physical therapy, performs physical therapy interventions and related tasks, carries out operational functions, makes modifications within the scope of the established plan of care, performs documentation and assessments under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

Program Outcomes

. Demonstrate effective communication with patients, families, and health care team.
. Exhibit behaviors and conduct that reflect respect and sensitivity according to physical therapy practice standards.
. Function under the supervision of a physical therapist in a safe, legal, ethical manner.
. Produce documentation to support the delivery of physical therapy services.
. Demonstrate critical thinking skills to implement and adjust a plan of care under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
. Perform technically competent data collection under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
. Perform technically competent physical therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
. Educate patients, families, and other health providers.
. Integrate components of administrative, operational, and fiscal practices of physical therapy service in a variety of settings.
. Implement a self-directed plan for career development, credentialing, and lifelong learning.

Wisconsin Caregiver Law

NWTC is required to comply with the Wisconsin Caregiver Law (1997 WISCONSIN ACT 27). The completion of a caregiver background check includes the review of criminal records for convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behavior. Students accepted into this program must complete a background information form disclosing any acts, crimes, or convictions prior to program entry. The information provided in the background information form must be truthful and match any findings on the criminal record check. Students with a criminal history may be denied access to placement at the discretion of the clinical or practicum site. Consequently, should a student have a history of convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behaviors, NWTC cannot guarantee clinical/practicum placement or guarantee graduation within typical program timing.

Clinical Experience

. Students will be required to purchase a uniform, pay for liability insurance, provide their own transportation to assigned sites, and cover any other expenses related to clinical experiences. Students may be expected to travel distances and participate in weekend rotations.
. Students are required to complete an American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR course prior to clinical experiences. Students are required to maintain a current CPR card to comply with affiliating agency requirements.
. Students may be required to complete drug testing by clinical agencies.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Department of Accreditation
American Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: 703-706-3245
Website: www.apta.org/CAPTE

Board/Certification Examinations

Graduates are eligible to take the Physical Therapist Assistant Examination through the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

Requirements for Program Application

. Completed application.
. High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
. Admissions Assessment or equivalent or ACT assessment taken with the last three years. (For a list of equivalents, please contact a Counselor.)
. One year of Algebra completed with a "C" or better (or attain program benchmark for Algebra on the Academic Skills Assessment).
. One year of Chemistry completed with a grade of "C" or better. If in High School, "C" in two semesters.
. Applicants with documentation of completion of General Anatomy and Physiology, with a "B" or better, will receive priority standing among that year's applicant pool.

Requirements for Program Entry

. As a requirement for program entry, an Academic Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) with appropriate benchmark scores is necessary or the minimum standard composite score of 20 on the ACT must be achieved. Students must receive the following scores prior to program entry. Reading Comprehension: 90; Arithmetic: 90; Sentence Skills: 94; College Math/Algebra: 60. Remediation options are available to reach required scores. Proof of remediation may be demonstrated by an Academic Skills Assessment post-test or completion of an approved course in the content requiring remediation. To learn more about these assessments and program benchmark scores, please contact a Counselor (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.
. Attend mandatory spring program orientation.
. Complete physical examination within three months before entering program and maintain current immunization information.
. Submit Caregiver Background Check paperwork.
. Complete 20 hours of mandatory volunteer time within a healthcare setting or submit equitable work experience.

Suggested Skills for Success

Students are expected to have entry-level computer skills. It is recommended that students complete basic computer skills coursework if deficient in this area.

Flexible Learning Option

A part-time track is available. This option is scheduled over an eleven-semester, four-year period including summer semesters. Individuals must request this option on their application.

Curriculum

The Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree is a two-year, one-summer, five-semester program. Upon graduation, a student will have completed 70 credits.

FIRST SEMESTER

SECOND SEMESTER

SUMMER SEMESTER

THIRD SEMESTER

FOURTH SEMESTER

Curriculum Note
* No final grade lower than a "C" is acceptable in any of the courses marked with an asterisk. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a "C" in a program course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

These courses provide an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding required for employment in this field.

10-524-138 PTA KINESIOLOGY 1...introduces basic principles of musculoskeletal anatomy, kinematics, and clinical assessment. Students locate and identify muscles, joints, and other landmarks of the lower quadrant in addition to assessing range of motion and strength. (Prerequisite: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program)

10-524-139 PTA PATIENT INTERVENTIONS...an introduction to basic skills and physical therapy interventions performed by the physical therapist assistant. (Prerequisite: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program)

10-524-140 PTA PROFESSIONAL ISSUES 1...introduces the history and development of the physical therapy program, legal and ethical issues, the interdisciplinary health care team, and professional communication skills. (Prerequisite: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program)

10-524-141 PTA KINESIOLOGY 2...applies basic principles from PTA Kinesiology 1 to the axial skeleton and upper quadrant including location and identification of muscles, joints and other landmarks. Integrate analysis of posture and gait. (Prerequisite: 10-524-138, PTA Kinesiology 1)

10-524-142 PTA THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE...provides instruction on the implementation of a variety of therapeutic exercise principles. Learners implement, educate, adapt, and assess responses to therapeutic exercises. (Prerequisites: 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology; 10-524-138, PTA Kinesiology 1)

10-524-143 PTA THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES...develops the knowledge and technical skills necessary to perform numerous therapeutic modalities likely to be utilized as a PTA. (Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program; 10-524-139, PTA Patient Interventions)

10-524-144 PTA PRINCIPLES OF NEUROMUSCULAR REHAB...integrates concepts of neuromuscular pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment. (Prerequisites: 10-524-142, PTA Therapeutic Exercise; 10-524-141, PTA Kinesiology 2; 10-524-139, PTA Patient Interventions)

10-524-145 PTA MUSCULO REHAB...integrates concepts of musculoskeletal pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment. (Prerequisites: 10-524-142, PTA Therapeutic Exercise; 10-524-141, PTA Kinesiology 2; 10-524-139, PTA Patient Interventions)

10-524-146 PTA MANAGEMENT OF CARDIOPULMONARY & INTEGUMENTARY CONDITIONS...integrates concepts of cardiopulmonary and integumentary pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment. (Prerequisites: 10-524-139, PTA Patient Interventions; 10-524-142, PTA Therapeutic Exercise; 10-524-141, PTA Kinesiology 2)

10-524-147 PTA CLINICAL PRACTICE 1...provides a part-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills pertinent to physical therapy practice. (Prerequisites: 10-524-141, PTA Kinesiology 2; 10-524-143, PTA Therapeutic Modalities)

10-524-148 PTA CLINICAL PRACTICE 2...provides another part-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills required of the entry level physical therapist assistant in various practice settings. (Prerequisite: 10-524-147, PTA Clinical Practice 1)

10-524-149 PTA REHABILITATION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN...a capstone course that integrates concepts of pathology, physical therapy interventions and data collection across the lifespan. The PTA's role in health, and physical therapy interventions for special patient populations. (Prerequisites: 10-524-144, PTA Principles of Neuromuscular Rehab; 10-524-145, PTA Principles of Musculoskeletal Rehab; 10-524-146, PTA Management of Cardiopulmonary & Integumentary Conditions; Corequisite: 10-524-148, PTA Clinical Practice 2)

10-524-150 PTA PROFESSIONAL ISSUES 2...incorporates professional development, advanced legal and ethical issues, healthcare management and administration, and further development of professional communication strategies. (Prerequisite: 10-524-140, PTA Professional Issues 1; Corequisite: 10-524-148, PTA Clinical Practice 2)

10-524-151 PTA CLINICAL PRACTICE 3...provides a full-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills required of the entry level physical therapist assistant in various practice settings. (Prerequisites: 10-524-144, PTA Principles of Neuromuscular Rehab; 10-524-145, PTA Principles of Musculoskeletal Rehab; 10-524-146, PTA Management of Cardiopulmonary & Integumentary Conditions; Corequisite: 10-524-148, PTA Clinical Practice 2)

10-524-155 PTA PEDIATRICS...normal and abnormal human development, pediatric pathologies and dysfunctions, and physical therapy treatment approaches. (Prerequisite: 10-524-142, PTA Therapeutic Exercise)

10-801-196 ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ...the communication process, perception and self-concept, language, listening, nonverbal communication, interpersonal relationships, communication in groups and public communication; prepare and deliver an oral presentation. 3 cr.

10-806-177 GENERAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY ...overview of the human anatomy/physiology using a body-systems approach, emphasizing the interrelationships between form/function at the gross and microscopic levels. (Prerequisite: 10-806-134, General Chemistry OR 10-806-155, Chemistry-Basic OR High School Chemistry with a "C" or better OR College Chemistry transfer credit with a grade of "C" or better) 4 cr.

10-801-195 WRITTEN COMMUNICATION ...the nature and scope of academic and business writing. Develops writing skills which include pre-writing, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents. 3 cr.

10-809-196 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY ...the nature and variety of groups; inequality, race and ethnicity; family, population, social integration, and change; collective behavior; politics, economics, religion, education, and the effects of technology. 3 cr.

10-809-172 RACE ETHNIC & DIVERSITY ...basic American values of justice and equality by teaching vocabulary, history of immigration/conquest, transcultural communication, legal liability, multicultural majority/minority relations, ageism, sexism, gender, sexual orientation, the disabled/ADA. 3 cr.

10-809-198 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY ...survey of theoretical foundations of human behavior such as sensation and perception, motivation, emotions, learning, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, stress, and human diversity in personal, social and vocational settings. 3 cr.

10-809-188 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY ...defines human development; examines theories; heredity and environmental effects; prenatal development and birth; evaluates biosocial, cognitive psychosocial development through the life span; aging, death, and dying. 3 cr.