SCC PTA Program Welcome!

Where do PTAs work? Lots of places!

Hospitals

Outpatient Settings

Skilled Nursing Facilities

Rehabilitation Centers

Home Health

Specialty Practices

What are the sub-specialties? Orthopedics Neurologic rehabilitation Gerontology Wound care Pediatrics Amputees – prosthetics & orthotics

What do PTAs do? Implement the Plan of Care as determined by the PT Help patients decrease pain, enhance function, & improve independence Assist and instruct patients in performing transfers, ambulation, and functional activities Administer therapeutic exercise for stretching, strengthening, balance, & coordination Apply adjunct modalities, such as heat, cold, and electrotherapy Documents progress toward goals Communicates with the healthcare team Educates patients, caregivers, and the community about PT

What skills does a PTA need? Motor Capability Transfer, guard and assist patients ›Squat, bend, reach, maneuver in small spaces Use manual dexterity Lift and carry up to 50 pounds and exert up to 100 # for push/pull

What skills does a PTA need? Sensory Capability Coordinate verbal and manual cues Respond effectively to patient needs including emergencies Monitor vital signs Auditory, visual and tactile abilities to observe and assess patient status and provide treatment

What skills does a PTA need? Communication Ability Communicate effectively in English (fluency in other languages is a bonus) Adapt communication as needed Interact effectively with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds Function effectively under supervision

What skills does a PTA need? Problem-Solving Ability Apply understanding of the rationale for the plan of care in implementing treatment Use sound judgment and safety precautions Function effectively under stress Organize and prioritize tasks

PT vs. PTA vs. PT Aide What are the differences?

Physical Therapists Perform initial evaluation Establish the plan of care Make changes to the plan of care Determine when the patient can be discharged Communicate directly with referring physician May be a clinic owner or director Require a clinical doctorate Bachelor’s degree + doctorate = approx. 7 years Earn approx. $95K in CA

Physical Therapist Assistants Work under the supervision of a PT Carry out interventions established in the plan of care Make recommendations for changes in the plan of care Make recommendations for patient discharge May be a clinic owner or director with certain limitations in CA Require an Associate degree = 2 years Earn approx. $64K in CA

Physical Therapy Aides Unlicensed personnel No formal education requirements Work under the direct and immediate supervision of a PT  Perform non patient-related tasks such as housekeeping and clerical duties, transport of patients, and providing an extra hand for physical support during gait or transfer training Earn $11 - $15/hour

About the SCC PTA Program 21 months Evening program Courses run from 6 – 9 or 6 – 10 Part-time 5 semesters – including one summer Graduates earn an Associates of Science Graduates are eligible to sit for the NPTAE and CA jurisprudence exam

Clinical Education Three clinical rotations One introductory rotation – 3 weeks/FT* Two full-time rotations – 5 days/week x 40 hours x ~6 weeks* *Daytime hours

Cost of program Current tuition = $46/credit Program = 36.5 credits: $1,679 Prerequisite courses = 14.5 credits: $667 General Ed. Requirements = Up to 33 credits: $1,518 Books, supplies, etc. = approx. $1,200 Licensing/Exam fees = approx. $950 Total: approx. $5,000* *Many students qualify for a BOG waiver (covers some of cost)

Applying to PTA Program Step 1: Begin taking prerequisite courses BIO 430 & 431* PTA 100 ENGWR 300 OR ENGWR 488 OR ESLW 340 *2nd part of A & P may be in progress when applying Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA for prerequisite courses with no grades lower than a ‘C’

Applying to PTA Program Step 3: Get application from website http://www.scc.losrios.edu/pta/ Application is open during academic year Application deadline is April 15

Applying to PTA Program Step 4: Submit official transcripts to Office of Admissions & Records* Transcripts must be sealed Substitution forms MUST be submitted for any courses not from LRCCD or not on equivalency grid *Not necessary if courses taken in LRCCD

Selection Process 30 students are selected each year Selection is done via lottery All eligible applicants are entered into a pool 30 students are selected each year If not selected, students are candidates are assigned an ‘alternate number’ and are placed on a waiting list On average, 5 – 10 first time applicants are accepted each year. Last year it was 11 – a record.

Waiting List Each year, as the program accepts more students, applicants on the waiting list will move up in the queue An application is required each year to show continued interest and to maintain one’s waiting list number The re-application period is March 15 – April 15 each year Students who did not get in will be given a waiting list number. Typically, the first 5 – 10 on the list get in that year because not everyone who is accepted chooses to enroll in the program. In previous years, the number of students accepted that year from the waiting list are as follows: 2014 – 7 students; 2015 – 8 students; 2016 – 12 students; 2017 – 3 students. Students who are in the first 30 on the waiting list are guaranteed a spot for the next year. Students who are in the first 60 are guaranteed a spot within two years. The reality is that because of attrition of applicants, we expect that the first 50 have a good chance of getting in the next year, and so on. Applicants will need to re-submit an application for the following year to show interest. Instructions will be provided.

Notification of Admission Applicants will be notified by mid-May of any acceptance decisions

Accredited PT and PTA Programs in California CAPTE 16 PT programs 15 PTA programs

Questions?