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3990 West Flagler Street, Suite 103, Miami, Florida 33134.

Physical Therapist Assistant Program (A.S.)

Physical Therapist Assistant Program - Therapist working with patient

PTA A.S. Degree Program Overview

Do you have a passion for helping others in need? Is it your dream to one day have a career that helps people improve their lives by overcoming physical challenges? If either of these things rings true, you should strongly consider a career in physical therapy and health sciences.

The SABER College Physical Therapist Assistant education program is a unique mix of theory, skills, and clinical training. The curriculum includes an in-depth study of anatomy and kinesiology, pathophysiology, patient data collection, and therapeutic intervention. After completing the Physical Therapist Assistant program, you will be prepared to provide care under licensed physical therapist supervision.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program (PTA)  provides the opportunity for individuals to gain knowledge and experience in a medical setting. Graduates will be prepared to work with the physical therapist to provide physical therapy services, assistive devices, and daily living activities.

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Program Related Job Training for PTAs

We believe that hands-on clinical training is the best way to learn to work with patients as a PTA. Our physical therapist assistant program provides job training and achieves just that.  Hands-on will help you manage your expectations and become more efficient in your work. Training of this type will make you more prosperous and make your patients happier.

Hands-on job training may also teach you to handle different situations and circumstances. You should practice in different situations so that you're prepared for anything that might happen during your session with a client.

What Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Do?

Physical therapy assistants sometimes called PTAs, and physical therapist aides, work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They help patients recovering from injuries and illnesses regain movement and manage pain.

As a physical therapists assistant, you may be expected to perform the following duties:

  • Evaluate and treat patients under the direction of physical therapists.
  • May plan and implement specific treatment programs for individual patients according to the principles and practices of physical therapy.
  • Administer active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, and traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength
  • Set up and operate devices such as traction equipment and electrotherapeutic apparatus which apply electricity, light, heat, cold or sound waves
  • Apply surgical dressings to protect injured areas during therapy sessions.
  • Clerical tasks like maintaining records on each patient treated by the physical therapist assistants.
  • Instruct patients on how to use their bodies properly while performing various tasks at home and at work

Career Outlook for PTAs

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment for Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides to grow 32% from 2020 to 2030. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. Physical therapist assistant job growth in the physical therapy field is expected to be driven by the increasing number of individuals with mobility issues.

The Bureau estimates that about 23,800 openings for Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many job openings are expected to come from workers who leave their current occupation or retire.

A physical therapist assistant's salary was $61,180.1 (median) in 2021 as reported by the BLS. It’s important to note that the PTA salary will vary based on experience and employer. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $80,170.1

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Program Learning Outcomes

  • Interpret a physical therapist’s plan of care and apply it appropriately.
  • Demonstrate patient progression according to the physical therapist's plan of care.
  • Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and career development by participating in professional development activities, such as training opportunities and professional conferences.
  • Demonstrate competency in the documentation of a physical therapist's treatment.
  • Identify the principles that define levels of authority and responsibility
  • Demonstrate an understanding of concepts related to wellness and disease, including preventive measures, causes and effects, and treatment options.
  • Describe the various components of the healthcare delivery system, including the roles of other healthcare providers and facilities.
  • Assist the physical therapist in carrying out therapeutic procedural interventions such as manual therapy, electrotherapy modalities, and therapeutic exercise.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of blood-borne diseases, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  • Define appropriate scope-of-practice criteria for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
  • Describe the anatomical structure and physiology of the human body related to physical therapy techniques and treatments.
  • Demonstrate ethical and legal practice as a physical therapist assistant by keeping current on issues related to your profession.
  • Respond to patients’ requests in accordance with the Patient’s Bill of Rights.
  • Provide patient care teaching to other health care providers, patients, and families regarding selected treatment procedures and functional activities.
  • Recognize and respond to emergency situations.
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills during interactions with patients, families, and other medical staff.
  • Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in verbal and nonverbal communication.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the causes and effects of diseases and other health conditions that physical therapists commonly treat.
  • Assess and address any barriers to a patient's participation in their life role.
  • Demonstrate the effective use of supportive/assistive devices and specialized equipment.
  • Assist the physical therapist in gathering important patient data.

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Curriculum

The curriculum of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program provides a blend of theory, skills, and clinical training for physical therapist assistants to develop entry-level competence. The course of study includes an in-depth analysis of anatomy, kinesiology, pathophysiology, patient data collecting, therapeutic interventions, and patient care. The program design has a clinical education course component that gives students real-life experience in physical therapy work settings.

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE)

Examination for PTA and be prepared to provide care as an entry-level physical therapist assistant under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. The PTA program has developed its mission, goals, and objectives to be in synchrony with the task of SABER, Inc. and specific to the professional community it serves. The program and curriculum are dynamic to meet the community’s changing needs in the physical therapy profession.

First Semester

ENG 1001 English I  3 Credit Hours
MAT 1001 Applied Mathematics 3 Credit Hours
PSY 1000 Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit Hours
BSC 1001 Human Anatomy and Physiology 3 Credit Hours
BSC 1002 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 Credit Hours
HSM 1015 Applied Medical and Healthcare Terminology 3 Credit Hours


Second  Semester

ENG 1011 English II  3 Credit Hours
BSC 1011 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 3 Credit Hours
BSC 1012 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab 1 Credit Hours
PTA 1001 Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant 5 Credit Hours
PTA 1401 Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology 4 Credit Hours

 

Third  Semester

PSY 1001 Developmental Psychology  3 Credit Hours
PTA 1501 Tests and Measurements 5 Credit Hours
PTA 1201 Therapeutic Procedures I 5 Credit Hours
PSY 1001 Developmental Psychology / Human Growth and Development 5 Credit Hours
PTA 1601 Pathophysiology 3 Credit Hours

 

Fourth Semester

PTA 1301 Therapeutic Exercise  5 Credit Hours
PTA 1210 Therapeutic Procedures II 5 Credit Hours
PTA 1901 Clinical Experience I * 3 Credit Hours

 

Fifth  Semester

PTA 1701 Rehabilitation  5 Credit Hours
PTA 1902 Clinical Experience II * 4 Credit Hours
PTA 1903 Clinical Experience III * 5 Credit Hours
PTA 2000 Review Course for NPTAE 1 Credit Hours

 

Credit/Clock Hour Allocation Summary

Totals: 76 Credits 1785 Clock Hours
Education Type Credits Clock Hours
General Education: 15 Credits 225 Clock Hours
Core Courses: 11 Credits 195 Clock Hours
PTA Technical Education: 50 Credits 1365 Clock Hours
PTA Lecture Instruction: 25 Credits 375 Clock Hours
PTA Laboratory Instruction: 13 Credits 390 Clock Hours
Clinical Education: 12 Credits 600 Clock Hours

 

* Clinical Education courses Clinical Experience I (PTA 1901), Clinical Experience II (PTA 1902), and Clinical Experience III (PTA 1903) for the Physical Therapist Assistant program are based on a 40 hours a week schedule for the assigned number of weeks. Clinical Experience I will be 4 weeks, Clinical Experience II will be 5 weeks, and Clinical Experience III will be 6 weeks. Students are responsible for their own transportation and housing as needed.

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