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Lake Area Technical Institute initiated the Physical Therapist Assistant program in September, 1994. This is a 20-month program consisting of courses utilizing lecture, laboratory experience, discussion, demonstration, and off-site clinical affiliations at physical therapy clinics across the Midwest. Upon successful completion of the 80-credit curriculum, students will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be eligible to take the national licensing examination. |
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA's) are skilled health-care providers, who under the supervision of a physical therapist, assist in the treatment and prevention of physical disabilities, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability, or other health related conditions. Physical Therapist Assistant's empower their patients to become as independent as possible.
Duties of a PTA may include preparing patients, treatment areas, and equipment for treatment, and implementing treatment programs which may include therapeutic exercise, gait or ambulation training, activities of daily living, therapeutic heat and cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction, ultra-violet and various other treatment procedures.
PTA's are trained in basic assessment procedures such as vital signs, manual muscle testing, range of motion measurements, sensation testing, gait and postural assessment, and measurement of segmental length, girth, and volume.
PTA's assist in educating patients, families, and other professionals to perform basic treatment procedures such as exercise, use of assistive devices, and functional activities. PTA's are trained to understand the psychosocial effects of illness and injury and interact appropriately with patients and families, as well as other members of the health-care team.
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities may exist anywhere a physical therapist is employed, for example, in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, public schools, and out-patient clinics. Diversity within the field of physical therapy offers a variety of work experiences including acute-care (hospitals), long-term care or geriatrics (nursing homes), pediatrics (school systems), developmental disabilities (state institutions), orthopedics and sport medicine, and neurological rehabilitation.
Accreditation
Lake Area Technical Institute is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools at 30 N. LaSalle, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois, 60602. The PTA program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1488, 1-800-999-2782.
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