Get Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs with Training from Taylor College!
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Physical Therapist Assistant Program
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Taylor College will train students to acquire the knowledge, clinical competency, and integrity to positively impact their patients and their profession. The 72-credit curriculum includes general education and technical physical therapist assistant courses as well as practical clinical experience. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be eligible to apply to take the National Physical Therapy Examination for the Physical Therapist Assistant (in accordance with the regulations set forth in the Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice Act, Chapter 486.102 and Chapter 64B17-3) to become licensed as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Physical Therapist Assistants function as members of the health care team providing patient care under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. They provide treatment to patients with various diagnoses to relieve pain and/or improve function. PTAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, private practices, rehabilitation centers, school systems, sports teams, home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, and other qualified facilities.
The Program Director for the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Taylor College is Denise Stevens, PTA, M.Ed. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (352)245-4119 or email ptaprogramdirector@taylorcollege.edu.
Your Role as a Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists to help patients recover from injuries and illnesses, regain movement, and manage pain. PTAs are responsible for implementing patient treatment plans through a variety of techniques such as therapeutic exercises, stretching, balance training, and soft tissue mobilization. Physical agents commonly used include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, lumbar and cervical traction, hydrotherapy, and diathermy. PTAs educate patients on the use of special equipment, such as a TENS unit, as part of their treatment plan. Other functions include preparing the treatment area, cleaning equipment, scheduling appointments, and ordering supplies.
Most Physical Therapist Assistants work in physical therapy clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health care and academia.
Program Details
75
Weeks over 5 Semesters
- Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Program offered: Daytime Hybrid*
- Clinical: 630 Hours in actual Physical Therapy Departments and Clinics
- Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree
*Hybrid programs combine a supportive, hands-on, campus-based education environment with the independence and flexibility of online learning.
Student Resources
- 2023-2024 PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet
- Physical Therapist Assistant Program Outcome Data 2023 as reported to the Commission for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Retention and Placement for Physical Therapist Assistant
- O*NET OnLine – Physical Therapy Assistant Career Exploration and Job Analysis
- Essential Functions for a PTA
- Admissions Criteria
The Taylor College Advantage
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Fully Equipped Labs
Taylor College provides labs that are fully equipped with the tools and equipment that you can expect to be using in your job as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
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Clinical Training
At Taylor College, our focus is on your success. Employment is the goal. The 20-month (across 5 semester) Physical Therapist Assistant program includes 630 hours of clinical training. 180 hours of training during your 3rd semester, 180 hours of training during your 4th semester, and 270 hours of training during your 5th semester will consist of working onsite in actual physical therapy departments and clinics. During this special real-world training you'll have an opportunity to shadow qualified professionals and apply the skills you've learned during your campus labs, working with actual patients. A dedicated clinical coordinator works closely with students to help match clinical sites best suited for their location and schedules.
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Qualified Instructors
Physical Therapist Assistant courses are taught by instructors who have a minimum of Bachelor of Science or Arts degree. In addition, every instructor is required to have at least 3 years of experience working as a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant. Students benefit from the real-world experience from instructors who have worked in the field.
As CEO and Co-Owner of Rehab Staffing Solutions, watch Lisa Cantrell’s story of success as a graduate of Taylor College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program!
Careers in Focus: Physical Therapist Assistant
Swipe through our infographic to find out what you’ll do, where you’ll work and the career opportunity for a PTA!
Get Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs with Your Taylor College Education
With a Taylor College education, you’ll have opportunities to apply for physical therapist assistant jobs to some of the most highly sought-after medical employers in the state. Here are just a few of the companies who have hired our graduates:
- Buffalo Crossings Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center
- Chatham Glen Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center
- Cora Physical Therapy
- Life Care Center of Ocala
- Rehab Staffing Solutions
- Strive! Physical Therapy Center at Ocala Health
Additional Information
Physical Therapist Assistant Accreditation Information
National Level
Taylor College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
ABHES is recognized by the Secretary of Education as a national accrediting body determined to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered by the educational institutions and programs it accredits. Its approved and recognized scope includes degree and non-degree granting private, postsecondary institutions offering educational programs predominantly in allied health; and the programmatic accreditation of medical assistant, medical laboratory technician, and surgical technology programs. When you attend an ABHES-accredited institution, you are attending a school that has undergone a rigorous process that evaluates educational quality.
Programmatic Approval
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Taylor 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. The program’s current status is probationary accreditation; for more information see https://www.capteonline.org/about-capte/recent-actions-and-updates/recent-actions. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Denise Stevens at 352-245-4119 or email denise.stevens@taylorcollege.edu.
The following are the courses that you’ll take as part of the Physical Therapist Assistant program:
- English Composition
- General College Mathematics
- Psychology
- Introduction to Ethics
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- Introduction to Physical Therapy
- Introduction to Physical Therapy Lab
- Anatomy and Kinesiology
- Anatomy and Kinesiology Lab
- Fundamentals of Treatment I
- Fundamentals of Treatment I Lab
- Pathophysiology
- Therapeutic Modalities
- Therapeutic Modalities Lab
- Fundamentals of Treatment II
- Fundamentals of Treatment II Lab
- Physical Therapy Clinical Education I
- Pharmacology
- Concepts in Physical Therapy I
- Concepts in Physical Therapy I Lab
- Fundamentals of Treatment III
- Fundamentals of Treatment III Lab
- Physical Therapy Clinical Education II
- Concepts in Physical Therapy II
- Concepts in Physical Therapy II Lab
- Physical Therapy Clinical Education III
*Some courses included in this program are instructed in a distance learning (online) format.
Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. Click here for Financial Aid information.