Physical Therapist Assistant - Springfield Technical Community College

Physical Therapist Assistant from Springfield Technical Community College is a Campus Associate Physical Therapy degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. The STCC Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is one of the oldest accredited programs in the country. It is housed in the newly-renovated and spacious ground floor clinic area of Building 20. The program prepares men and women for employment as physical therapist assistants (PTAs). The job market across the country is strong. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in their Occupational Outlook Handbook, predicts that the demand for physical therapist assistants will grow by 35% between now and 2018. The graduate PTA is a technical health care provider who works under the supervision of a physical therapist. The PTA performs movement-related activities and therapeutic techniques for patients with burns, amputations, spinal cord injuries, and cardiac, neurologic and orthopedic injuries. Such techniques include therapeutic exercise; gait training; heat and cold applications; massage; and the use of assistive, prosthetic, orthotic, and electrical devices that improve the independence of people with congenital, traumatic or disease-related processes. The two-year curriculum leading to an associate degree follows the guidelines established by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The curriculum is designed to develop technical and clinical knowledge and skills combining anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, disease processes, psychological and interpersonal relations. Emphasis is placed on ethical and legal considerations. Approximately one semester of the program is supervised practice in selected clinical settings. In addition, students have an opportunity to enhance learned skills under faculty supervision in the Campus Rehabilitation Clinic at STCC. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association to 2018 Mission The PTA Program trains, educates, and cultivates entry-level physical therapist assistant students through a dedicated community-engaging academic curriculum committed to the development and achievement of the following: clinical and personal critical thinking ethical and professional decision making effective personal and professional communication skills a life long commitment to learning Program Goals The Physical Therapist Assistant program will cultivate and advance graduates whom: Understand their role and the scope of practice as responsible physical therapist assistants, adhering to appropriate ethical, legal, and regulatory standards. Cultivate skill competence and engage in evidence-based practice, responding to the dynamics of a changing health care system. Integrate the principles of the physical , biological and behavioral sciences with the clinical practice of physical therapy. Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, families and other members of the health care team. Commit to a lifelong process of self-improvement and learning. Achieve an effective transition from this educational program to a physical therapist assistant career. View more details on Springfield Technical Community College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Physical Therapy courses.