Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate in Applied Science

Olympic College offers a two-year curriculum designed to prepare graduates to be employed as Physical Therapist Assistants. The college is currently seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program offers a balance of general education courses, physical therapy theory and physical therapy assistant practice. Students accepted into the program will complete 640 hours of clinical education as part of the professional curriculum. Following acceptance, the professional phase of the program can be completed in five consecutive quarters. PTA program courses require a minimum 2.7 grade point or above to progress in the program. Clinical education courses are pass/fail. Graduates are prepared for immediate employment as physical therapist assistants (PTA) in various health care settings including hospitals, long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, private out-patient practice, school settings and home health. There is not current licensure examination for PTA graduates in the State of Washington, but graduates of the program will be encouraged to take the national licensing examination for physical therapist assistants.

Cost: 

1.   Same tuition as other Olympic College students;

Additional Costs

2.   Laboratory fees (maximum $35/quarter);

3.   PTA student liability insurance;

4.   Proof of health insurance;

5.   APTA student Association dues (optional);

6.   Transportation to and from clinical facilities not located on campus.

Not all courses listed are offered every quarter. Please see an appropriate faculty advisor or Division Dean for course sequence and schedule details. A faculty advisor must approve the program for degree/certificate completion.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, successful students will have demonstrated the ability to apply their skills and knowledge in the following ways:

1.   Demonstrate occupational skills necessary to obtain employment as a physical therapist assistant.

2.   Function under the supervision of the physical therapist in a safe, legal, ethical and effective manner.

3.   Demonstrate professional behavior and communication skills necessary to effectively interact with clients and family members, members of the health care team, and other professional colleagues.

4.   Demonstrate critical problem solving to assist the supervising physical therapist in monitoring and modifying plan of care within the knowledge and limits of practice.

5.   Perform and document physical therapy data collection and interventions safely and efficiently under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

6.   Demonstrate competence in implementing selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist.

7.   Identify career development and lifelong learning opportunities.

ADVISOR           OFFICE                     PHONE

Bartlett, Lyndon    Poulsbo Village, Suite 200    360-779-4026

Mimaki, Stephanie   Poulsbo Village, Suite 200    360-779-4026

PREREQUISITE COURSES                           CREDITS 

BIO     160   Introduction to Human Biology________________ 5 

ENGL    101   Composition*_________________________________ 5 

MATH    099   Intermediate Algebra*________________________ 5 

PHYS    110   Introduction to Physics*_____________________ 6

PSYCH   101   General Psychology___________________________ 5 

REQUIRED COURSES 

PTA     101   Introduction to Physical Therapy*____________ 2 

PTA     102   Medical Terminology for PTA*_________________ 2 

PTA     104   Documentation/Administration/Ethics*_________ 3 

PTA     105   Current PT Trends & Issues*__________________ 2

PTA     106   Kinesiology and Functional Anatomy*__________ 5 

PTA     107   Pathology*___________________________________ 5

PTA     108   Human Growth and Development*________________ 2

PTA     110   Orthopedic Conditions*_______________________ 2 

PTA     111   Neuroscience for the PTA*____________________ 2 

PTA     120   PTA Procedures I—Basic Skills*_______________ 6

PTA     121   PTA Procedures II—Functional Rehab*__________ 4

PTA     122   PTA Procedures III—Orthopedics*______________ 6

PTA     123   PTA Procedures IV—Physical Agents*___________ 6

PTA     124   PTA Procedures V—Neuromuscular/Cardio*_______ 6

PTA     151   Clinical Experience I*_______________________ 4

PTA     152   Clinical Experience II*______________________ 4

PTA     251   Clinical Affiliation I*______________________ 7

PTA     252   Clinical Affiliation II*_____________________ 7

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED ___________________________ 101 

* See course description for prerequisite.

Source: SBCTC 1/30/08 Inventory, Instructional Policies Council 1/14/08 meeting