Physical Therapist Assistant

Lake Area Technical College’s curriculum for Physical Therapist Assistant meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in South Dakota and all other states. Professional licensure and certification requirements often vary from state to state. Prospective or current students considering an academic program that leads to a professional license or certification are strongly encouraged to seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in the state you plan to work before beginning an affiliated academic program. Read more here regarding Professional Licensure Disclosures.

1. Graduates will demonstrate ethical practice by practicing according to the Standards of Ethical Conduct; demonstrating respect for self, the patient/client, and the colleagues in all situations.
2. Graduates will practice according to legal and professional standards, including all federal, state and
   institutional regulations related to patient/client care and fiscal management.
3. Graduates will demonstrate professional growth by accepting feedback; planning for clinical performance improvement; and seeking educational opportunities to advance their personal knowledge and skills.
4. Graduates will demonstrate appropriate communication skills with all stakeholders with attention to
   verbal and non-verbal communication, need for communication resources, the use of appropriate
   strategies for challenging encounters and facilitates ongoing communication with physical therapist
   regarding patient/client care.
5. Graduates will deliver equitable care with consideration of patient/client diversity and inclusivity
   for all regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, race, sexual orientation or other
   characteristics of identity.
6. Graduates will strategically gather, interpret, and synthesize information from multiple sources
   to make effective clinical judgments; applying current knowledge and clinical judgement while
   supporting the physical therapist with clinical activities; ensure patient/client safety during the
   episode of care; and present a logical rationale for clinical decisions with all stakeholders (e.g.,
   patients/clients, caregivers, intra/interprofessional colleagues).
7. Graduates will perform selected therapeutic exercises, manual therapy techniques, airway clearance,
   and integumentary repair and protection techniques in a competent manner.
8. Graduates will apply selected mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities in a competent manner.
9. Graduates will perform functional training in self-care and home management, including
   therapeutic activities; perform application and adjustment of devices and equipment in a competent
   manner.
10. Graduates will produce quality documentation that includes changes in the patient’s/client’s status,
    a description and progression of specific interventions used, and communication among providers;
    and will maintain organization of patient/client documentation.
11. Graduates will participate in efficient delivery of services, with consideration given to time
    management and appropriate use of clinical supplies and equipment when supporting physical
    therapy services.
12. Graduate cohorts will be employed at 90% or higher.
13. Graduate cohorts will pass the NPTE at 85% or higher (2-year cohort)
14. Graduate cohorts will be at 60% or higher graduation rate.

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Mission

The Physical Therapist Assistant program will provide students with a comprehensive education leading to an associate of applied science degree, including the training, knowledge, skills and professional attitudes necessary to prepare the students to be competent and integral members of a health-care delivery team.

Institutional and PTA Program Quality Standards and Goals

1. Character:  Students will demonstrate personal and social responsibility including setting reasonable and realistic personal and professional goals, time management skills, professionalism and community service.
   Program Goals:
   • Provide a curriculum that emphasizes safe, legal and ethical practices.
   • Encourage altruism, compassion, cultural competence and social responsibility by providing opportunities for student learning and growth in these areas.
   • Emphasize the importance of ethical considerations in the practice of physical therapy and make the students cognizant of the value of professional organizations, as well as the need for continuing education.
2. Interaction:  Students will demonstrate clear and accurate communications skills including listening, speaking and writing.
   Program Goals:
   • Provide a curriculum that promotes effective communication in all the roles of a physical therapist assistant including documentation and professional writing, interrelationship skills, verbal and non-verbal communication.
3. Reputation/Competency:  Students will demonstrate technical competence, learning to learn, information literacy, and problem solving/critical thinking.
   Program Goals
   • Provide a competency-based curriculum which will prepare students to perform the professional duties of a physical therapist assistant.
   • Ensure that the students understand the role and scope of the physical therapist assistant within the physical therapy profession and the health-care delivery system.

Physical Therapist Assistant program at Lake Area Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email:accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 605-882-5284, extension 329 or email eric.fjeldheim@lakeareatech.edu.

Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program at LATC is highly competitive. Class size will be limited to 28 students per year.

A minimum of a 2.0 grade point average, or 80% proficiency, will be required throughout the duration of the Lake Area Technical College PTA program. Students not maintaining this level of academic performance will be dismissed from the program.

LATC is an open admissions technical college; however acceptance into the PTA Program is by selection.

The program director reviews and evaluates each application on an impartial basis. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.

The PTA faculty will review all completed applications and will calculate the scores of the applicants based on ACT/Accuplacer exam scores, and written essay questions. An applicant’s score will be calculated according to the following percentages:

• ACT/Accuplacer reading scores = 70%
• Essay Questions = 30%
• Completion of College General Education Credits

Note: In order to be competitive in the application process, a student should have achieved one of the following scores:

• ACT reading score of 18.
• Accuplacer reading score of 260 or higher.

If you have not achieved one of these scores, you may still apply for the program. Achievement of these standards does not guarantee admission into the program.

All application process steps must be completed by the application priority deadline of December 15, 2025, to be considered for the fall 2026 program. Applications received on or after the priority deadline will be reviewed for consideration to the wait list. Late applicants are encouraged to complete the required application steps in a timely manner. Acceptance is competitive. Admission to the program will be based on assessment of ACT/Accuplacer scores (70%) and answers to website questions (30%). Bonus points will be awarded for completion of the required college general education credits with grades of A or B.

There are two steps to the PTA Application process.

Step One

• Application: Apply with a completed paper or Online Application and $25 processing fee. The application priority deadline is December 15, 2024 to be considered for the fall 2025 program. Applications received on or after the priority deadline will be reviewed for consideration to the wait list. Late applicants are encouraged to complete the required application steps in a timely manner
• Official Records: Submit your official high school transcript/GED certificate/college transcript.
• ACT/Accuplacer: If you have not taken the ACT (or have an ACT reading score of less than 18) you can arrange to take the Accuplacer offered at the LATC Admissions Office. The Accuplacer is offered Monday through Friday, except holidays. Please call 605-882-5284 for test times or to schedule an appointment. Select Saturday appointments are available also. Check with the Admissions Office for those dates and for summer test dates. Appointments can be made by calling the Admissions office at 1-800-657-4344 or (605) 882-5284.

Step Two

• To be an effective PTA, you will need the determination and discipline to learn a lot (of interesting!) material. We encourage you to explore the videos and articles, as well as do your own research. When you feel you have a better concept of what PT is, please complete the following written essay questions. These questions will be submitted as a part of your application.

Videos

1: Cardiac Rehab
2: Acute Care
3: Geriatric Care
4: Out Patient Care
5: Pediatric Care