Within the discipline of physical therapy, the position of physical therapist assistant (PTA) has emerged as an integral, technically trained, skilled clinician supervised only by the physical therapist (PT). The PTA plays a key role in the patient’s recovery from injury or dysfunction, as well as in the client’s pursuit of wellness and health promotion. The PTA may intervene, with guidance from the plan of care established by the PT.

Direct and indirect interventions may include treating impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities across the human life span. Of primary importance is their effect on the cardiovascular and neuromuscular systems of the body.

Philosophy

The PTA is a generalist who works under the direction of the PT. Specifically, the PTA follows the APTA Code of Ethics and the appropriate state and federal regulations, in a professional manner. The PTA is a technically competent, safe, and knowledgeable practitioner with the aim of being a reflective lifelong learner. Career development and planning are an integral component of the student and graduate.

The PTA may appropriately delegate within his or her scope of practice. The PTA is not only a frontline patient/client educator, but educator of the family as well. PTA’s operate under the PT plan of care.

Educational Process

The faculty is committed to providing a coordinated curriculum based upon a broad spectrum of research, theory, function, practice, and life skills. Professionalism is role modeled by primary didactic faculty and many clinical educators. They train and educate the PTA to communicate in ways that are congruent and appropriate within the program, clinical environment, and the community. Regular student advising and mentoring is a vital component of this process.

A keystone of the educational process is the ability to critically analyze clinical situations and use sound judgment. PTAs may act as advocates for their patients, linking community resources to patient or client needs. Clinical data collection skills are taught using standardized tests and are consistent with PTA educational models, such as the Normative Model of PTA Education and the CPI (Clinical Performance Instrument).

Students are assessed on a regular basis to assure technical competencies and procedural knowledge required to complete all of the performance indicators and program outcomes. In the state of Ohio, a license is required to practice as a PTA.

Employment

PTAs utilize electrical, mechanical, a-thermal and thermal modalities; assist in gait training; instruct in balance and strengthening exercises, rehabilitative balance, and coordination tasks; and improve work or sports performance, along with enhancement of activities of daily living.

PTAs are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitative centers, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient ambulatory centers, home health agencies, federal or state agencies, and within school settings. Future prospects appear bright as the demand for services will continue to grow, according to government estimates.

The curriculum is re-designed into a “one plus one” format, wherein the student completes general and preparatory coursework prior to entering the program in the summer session. Students accepted into the core portion of the program complete the PTA courses in sequence over a three-semester period, culminating in five total semesters. Essential Functions of the PTA are found on the Shawnee State Web page and within the online application packet.

Interested students with a background of felony convictions are advised to contact the State of Ohio PT Section and Licensing Board (1.800.871.1921) prior to application to assure that he or she will be eligible to obtain licensing in the future.

Criminal background checks and/or drug screenings may be required by clinics.

Application Information

As with any health sciences program at Shawnee State University, prospective students are required to progress through a selective admission process. Each program is limited in terms of size, due to the availability of clinical site placements. In addition to becoming accepted to the University at large, the student must apply to the individual program(s) that interest him or her. The process may be commenced online and with assistance from the health sciences representative. The deadline and special application packet vary from year to year, so students are encouraged to obtain the most recent information online. A new student group or cohort will begin in the summer session. Students are encouraged to apply early in the spring semester for admission and scholarships.

Academic Requirements

In order to remain in good standing in the PTA program, and subsequently graduate, students must obtain a minimum of a “C” (2.0) in each course within the curriculum. For students not maintaining this performance standard, two options of remediation/re-entry are currently available.

Accreditation

The physical therapist assistant program at Shawnee State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at the American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone: 703.706.3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; web site: www.capteonline.org.

Please Note

• Clinical practicums are contracted training sites with over 80 facilities throughout the United States. Most sites are within a 30-80 mile radius of Shawnee State. The faculty highly recommends that students participate in a clinical practicum that is two or more hours drive away from campus. Students may request that faculty originate a new site if the site meets the criteria and needs of the program.
• Only those students who have been officially accepted into the program are eligible to take any course beginning with the PTAT prefix.