PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT
ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Physical therapy means the assessment, evaluation, treatment and prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability, or health related conditions. Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist in the delivery of physical therapy services. Their duties include assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs according to the plan of care, training patients in exercises and activities of daily living, conducting treatments, using special equipment, administering modalities and other treatment procedures, and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's responses.
 

Physical therapy practitioners work with the entire spectrum of the patient population and are employed in a wide variety of settings including: hospitals and medical centers, rehabilitation centers, pediatric facilities or school systems, private physical therapy clinics, home health care agencies, convalescent centers and extended care facilities.

Williston State College (WSC) offers a 2½ year associate in applied science (A.A.S.) Degree program to prepare physical therapist assistants for immediate employment. The program includes study in anatomy and physiology, social science, technical physical therapy courses, and clinical education in regional health care facilities.

Williston State College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges. The PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association.

WHEN CAN NEW STUDENTS ENROLL?
The physical therapist assistant (PTA) course sequence begins each Fall semester, but students can potentially begin work on courses any semester.  There may be some courses that would be unavailable to a student starting in Spring or Summer semester, as they are not offered until Fall or are a sequence course.  Admission to the program is an open admissions process.  Our technical courses are limited in size to 16 students.  Admission to these classes is on a first come first serve basis.  General education courses will have larger class sizes.  If more than 16 students seek admission, they will be put onto a waiting list.  Students are strongly encouraged to gain as much practical experience in physical therapy prior to admission to the program.  Physical therapy clinics are usually very willing to have individuals interested in therapy do volunteer work or job shadowing with them.

What about students wishing to transfer to the PTA Program?
Typically the PTA program is spread over 2 1/2 semesters and students start as freshman taking their courses over those six semesters.  For transfer students who have completed a sufficient number and types of courses, they may be able to complete the program in as short as three semesters.  The PTA Program Chair will work individually with you to assess the work you have already completed.

Additional Requirements and Expenses

In addition to the usual tuition and fees charged at WSC, the PTA student will be responsible for some additional costs.  These are approximate values.

• Cost for books                                   $1000.00
• WSC name badge                              $12.00
• Criminal background check                $60.00
• PTA Lab fees                                     $100.00
• Board Preparation Seminar                 $200.00
• Optional APTA Membership              $45.00
• You may also have some additional expenses depending on individual clinical internship requirements.
  Drug screening                                   $45.00
• Vaccinations                                      $25.00
• Uniform Requirements                       $30.00
• Medical Examination                         $100.00

CPR and First Aid Recertification

The college provides malpractice and workmen’s compensation insurance free of charge to students in the PTA program.  Students do have the option of buying their own additional insurance.

Some additional requirements for students to consider are related to that all education does not take place on campus.  Students will be spending time in various clinical settings and so they need to consider these things:
1.  A student will need reliable transportation to get to and from clinical facilities.  Public transportation may not be available.
2.  Clinical facilities may have additional requirements of students wish to have an internship with them.  The student will be responsible for meeting those requirements.
3.  When on internships it is nearly impossible to work at a paid job.  Good management of your financial resources is important, so that adequate funds are available for those internship times.

RETENTION REQUIREMENTS
1.  Students must maintain a letter grade of “C” or higher in all classes required by the PTA program in order to advance.  Please refer to the PTA Program Handbook for specifics on options for unsatisfactory academic progress.
2.  Attendance is mandatory in all classes unless arrangements have been made with the instructor.  Please refer to each course syllabus regarding specific details.
Save the section on “PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS”

Change the next section with new title “DOES THE PROGRAM TRANSFER TO A PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM”

Many students opt to obtain their associate’s degree as a PTA prior to pursuing a physical therapy degree.  It affords the student an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the therapy field prior to committing to a master’s or doctoral degree program.  Compared to students who take a more traditional route, the PTA returning to school, can apply a deeper understanding to all of the knowledge and experience they already possess.  In addition it is often possible to be employed part-time, at a good paying job, while attending physical therapy school.  The technical courses for the physical therapist assistant program are transferable as elective credits.  All general education courses are transferable as equivalent courses to other colleges in the North Dakota University System.  Private colleges or those in other States should be contacted on an individual basis as to the transfer of credits.  Students who are planning to eventually earning a physical therapy degree should consult an advisor that program to help plan an appropriate selection of classes to ensure all requirements are met

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS
The following information is provided to assist you in achieving a better understanding of the cognitive and physical demands of the program and of the abilities needed to successfully work as a PTA. These criteria are based on cognitive and physical abilities identified as being essential job functions for physical therapist assistants and as such, closely match the abilities needed to successfully complete the clinical and laboratory components of the PTA curriculum. (From APTA Accreditation Competencies for Physical Therapist Assistants: Commission on Accreditation in Education, 1985).

A.  PHYSICAL DEMANDS This includes but is not limited to the ability to perform the following activities:

1.) OCCASIONALLY (1/2 to 2½ hours/day) sit, stand in place, walk, twist (knees/waist/neck), climb, push/pull, and lift.

2.) FREQUENTLY (2½ to 5 hours/day) crouch (bend at knees), stoop (bend at waist), turn/pivot, reach overhead, pinch or grasp small objects.

3.) CONTINUOUSLY (5½ to 8 hours/day) be mobile, grasp large objects.
If you are disabled and need special accommodations, please contact the coordinator for disability and support services at 774-4594.


B. COGNITIVE DEMANDS This includes but is not limited to the ability to:

• Adapt to frequent changes in work environment and patient/client population.
• Concentrate and attend to detail amidst a variety of environmental distractions.
• Process information accurately, thoroughly and quickly.
• Carry out complex sequences of instructions.
• Provide clients with clear instructions that are adapted to their cognitive levels and communication needs.
• Generalize learning from one situation and patient to another, as appropriate.
• Adapt treatment style in order to work with a variety of different supervisors.
• Interact positively with many professionals including members of a multidisciplinary team.
• Prioritize tasks.
• Read and write therapy reports, clinical notes, communications to and from other professional team members.
• Deal with a variety of patient/client ages, behavior, cognitive abilities, cultures and ethnic backgrounds both individually and in groups.
• Learn and apply new information on methods of treatment, equipment, pathologies, etc., on an ongoing basis.
  

DOES THE PROGRAM TRANSFER TO A FOUR YEAR INSTITUTION?
Many students opt to obtain their associate's degree as a PTA prior to attending a four-year institution. It affords the student an opportunity to gain valuable experience and to see if they want to attempt the next step. In addition it is often possible to be employed part-time, at a good paying job, while attending physical therapy school. The technical courses for the physical therapist assistant program (prefix PTA) are not designed to transfer to four-year institutions. All other courses are transferable to other colleges in the North Dakota University System. Private colleges must be consulted on an individual basis as to the transfer of credits. Students who are planning to earn a master's or doctorate degree in physical therapy should consult with an adviser from the four-year institution to plan an appropriate selection of classes to ensure that all requirements are met.

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Regionally, job placement of graduates of physical therapist assistant programs is good. The PTA profession is rated by the United State Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics as one of the fastest growing professions, and current projections indicate that this trend will continue well into the next century. Graduates of WSC's PTA program can expect to be hired, though relocation may be necessary. There are many job opportunities for both men and women and career opportunities for pursuit of specialty interests in rehabilitation, orthopedics, geriatrics, and pediatrics. Starting salaries vary in range depending on demand and usually include benefits. A license is required in North Dakota state for the PTA to practice which means successfully completing the National Board Examination. Not every state has this requirement. Complete information on practice acts and regulations can be obtained from specific state licensing boards.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Degree Requirements:
            16 credits completed in residence
            2.00 “C”grade point average
            72 total credits
            Minimum grade of “C” in all required courses
            ASC 100-Freshman Seminar

General Education Requirements:
            15 General Education Credits including:

            1.  1 class from each of the following 2 areas:
                        a. Communications
                        b. Math or Science

            2.  1 class from 3 of the following 4 areas:
                        a. Humanities
                        b. Social Science
                        c. Computer Technology
                        d. Wellness

Program Course Requirements: