Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
Type: Career, Degree (AS)
Special admissions requirement
Division: Health
The Physical Therapist Assistant program has been designed for students seeking entry-level positions as Physical Therapist Assistants. The comprehensive curriculum has been designed to develop competency in the entry level skills necessary for the Physical Therapist Assistant practicing in the field. Theoretical and practical experience in classroom and laboratory are supplemented by three clinical rotations over two full-time or three part-time years of study.
The program prepares graduates to work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist in a variety of health care settings, including rehabilitation facilities, schools, long term care, home health care, pediatrics, acute care hospitals, orthopedics, and sports medicine clinics. Students in the program are encouraged to apply for student membership to the American Physical Therapy Association in the program. Graduates of the program receive an Associate's degree in science and are eligible to take the national licensing exam administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. In order to practice in the state of Massachusetts physical therapist assistants must be licensed.
Although the program is non-transferable as a whole, on an individual basis graduates of the program considering a further degree have been able to obtain transfer credits for some courses to schools offering a baccalaureate degree in exercise physiology or related health program. Acceptance of transfer credits depends on the receiving institution. Students should consult directly with the institution of their choice. NSCC's PTA program has an official transfer agreement with Salem State University, Bachelor of Sport and Movement Science and University of Massachusetts Lowell, Bachelor of Exercise Science.
Students interested in participating in an academic program that involves working with vulnerable populations such as children or the elderly, or which includes a clinical experience, internship, or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider, may be required to undergo criminal background checks, including a national as well as local check (i.e. Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI)). Depending on the contents of these criminal background check(s), a student's participation in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly or which includes a clinical experience, internship or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider may not be allowed, and therefore may impact a student's ability to complete program requirements. Furthermore, please note that eligibility to participate in the program and/or clinical experience, internship or field placement as a result of screening requirements, such as criminal background checks, is not a guarantee of eligibility to sit for professional credentialing examination(s) or employment upon graduation.
The PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Information regarding accreditation and professional licensure may be obtained from the following organizations:
Commission on Accreditation for Physical Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-2782
800-999-2782
Email address: accreditation@apta.org
www.capteonline.org
Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions
Division of Professional Licensure
1000 Washington Street, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118-6100
(617)-727-3071
www.mass.ov/dpl/boards/ah
The PTA program is a selective admissions program. Further information about the program, application process and admission requirements can be found on the academic department web page at www.northshore.edu
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
First Year
Fall
| BIO211 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| PTA115 | Introduction to Physical Therapy for the PTA | 3 |
| PTA103 | Therapeutic Massage | 1 |
| PTA104 | PTA Procedures Lab | 1 |
| PTA105 | Physical Therapist Assistant Procedures | 2 |
| PTA108 | Kinesiology Lab | 1 |
| PTA109 | Kinesiology | 1 |
| PTA113 | Pathophysiological Conditions 1 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Spring
| PTA106 | Introduction to Clinical Education | 1 |
| BIO212 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| PTA114 | Pathophysiological Conditions 2 | 2 |
| PTA117 | Therapeutic Exercise 1 Lab | 1 |
| PTA118 | Therapeutic Exercise 1 | 2 |
| PTA201 | Physical Agents Lab | 1 |
| PTA202 | Physical Agents | 2 |
| PTA203 | Neurology for Physical Therapist Assistant | 2 |
| PTA204 | Clinical Anatomy 1 Lab | 1 |
| PTA205 | Clinical Anatomy 1 | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Summer
| PTA111 | Clinical Education Experience 1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Second Year
Fall
| CMP102-150 | Composition 2 Elective | 3 |
| HUM-ELECTIVE | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| PSY102 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PTA212 | Therapeutic Exercise 2 Lab | 1 |
| PTA213 | Therapeutic Exercise 2 | 2 |
| PTA214 | Clinical Anatomy 2 Lab | 1 |
| PTA215 | Clinical Anatomy 2 | 1 |
| PTA217 | Pediatric Physical Therapy for the PTA | 1 |
| PTA220 | Current Topics in Physical Therapy | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Spring
| PTA206 | Physical Therapist Assistant Seminar | 1 |
| PTA211 | Clinical Education Experience 2 | 7 |
| PTA210 | Case Studies in Physical Therapy | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Requirement Notes
BIO211: The prerequisite for Anatomy and Physiology 1 can be met through ONE of the following with no time limit for when it was completed: BIO101 or BIO105 with "C" or higher; or TEAS version V only Science section score of 50% or higher; or LPN Certificate; or a Bachelor of Science in biological science or chemistry. It can also be met with ONE of the following completed within the past 5 calendar years: high school biology with a "C" or higher, biology CLEP test with a score of 50 or higher, or AP biology test with a score of 3 or higher.
Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 66
Program Student Learner Outcome
- Obtain licensure as an entry level PTA.
- Validate understanding of CAPTE PTA standards and competencies needed to achieve a passing score on the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy PTA licensure exam.
- Demonstrate professionalism through positive expression of cooperation, adaptability and willingness to learn.
- Provide safe and effective physical therapy treatment while adhering to Standards for Ethical Conduct and federal/state practice standards.
- Participate in lifelong learning opportunities and membership in professional organizations.
PTA Program Goals
- The PTA program faculty will deliver a program leading to licensure and entry level PTA practice.
- The PTA program faculty will promote the importance of professional development through lifelong learning opportunities and membership in professional organizations.
- The PTA program will provide students with an appropriate and contemporary curriculum that adheres to institutional guidelines, CAPTE and Standards for Ethical Conduct.
- The PTA program will maintain a current curriculum with ongoing input from program stakeholders.
- PTA program graduates will provide safe and effective physical therapy treatment while adhering to Standards for Ethical Conduct and federal/ state practice standards.
- PTA program graduates will demonstrate professionalism through positive expression of cooperation, adaptability and willingness to learn.
Occupational Skills Required
- Lift patients and equipment up to 35 pounds
- Carry equipment and objects of 25 pounds minimum
- Kneel to perform CPR, work with patients on mat and assist patients who fall
- Stoop, bend and twist to adjust wheelchairs, assist in ADL and perform transfers
- Safely maintain balance while assisting patients in ambulation, transfer and balance techniques
- Work with patients on high/low mats
- Reach to adjust equipment, to guard patient and to reach supplies
- Ability to handle equipment such as prosthetics, orthotics, walkers, canes, crutches, weights and modalities
- Dexterity to manipulate and fine-tune knobs, dials, goniometers, blood pressure cuffs, tools, equipment and hardware
- Push and pull wheelchairs
- Walk a distance of at least 2 miles during a normal work day
- Stand for periods of at least 2 hours
- Palpate pulses, spasticity, muscle contractions, bony landmarks, end-feels and swelling
- Differentiate between temperature and pressure variations
- Accurately read numbers, letters, cursive writing in fine and other print in varying light levels
- Detect changes in skin color, patient's facial expressions, gait deviations, swelling, atrophy and forms of nonverbal communication
- Observe patient and environment in order to assess the patient's condition or needs from a distance of 20 feet
- Speak in English language in a clear, concise manner to communicate with patients, families, significant others, health care providers and community
- Respond to patient with communication disorders (aphasia or hearing loss), or those who use ELL
- Comprehend oral and written language, including health care terminology in order to communicate with patients, families, significant others, healthcare providers and community
- Write in English, clearly and legibly for charts and home exercise instructions
- Hear heart sounds, patient distress sounds, machine timer bells and alarms; verbal directions from supervisor from a distance of 20 feet
- Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations
- Remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies, and respond to patient situations, i.e. falls, pain, or change in physical status
- Integrate information and make decisions based on pertinent data, in a collaborative manner
- Interact effectively and appropriately with patients, families, supervisors and co-workers diverse backgrounds with respect, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork and integrity
- Communicate an understanding of basic principles of supervision, ethics and confidentiality
- Display basic interpersonal skills necessary to interact in situations requiring close, personal contact
- Display attitudes and actions consistent with the ethical standards of the profession
Experiential Learning Required in Program
- PTA 111 Clinical Education Experience 1
- PTA 211 Clinical Education Experience 2
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
- Physical Therapist Assistants
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
- Physical Therapist Assistants
Top Transfer Institutions
- Salem State University
- University of Massachusetts Lowell