Physical Therapy Aide Program
Overview
Training
· These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help
others. Examples include customer service representatives, pharmacy
technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.
· These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require
some vocational training or job-related course work.
· Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in
these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might
benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced
person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.
· Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one
year of working with experienced employees. Most physical therapist aides
are trained under vocational schools with clinical training.
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Education and training. Employers typically require physical therapy aides to have a high school diploma and vocational training with clinical training.
Licensure. There is no state licensing to practice as a physical therapist aide. However, some employers require aides to be trained and certified by vocational or career schools. Additional requirements may include certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other first aid and a minimum number of hours of clinical experience. Complete information on regulations can be obtained from State licensing boards.
Other qualifications. Physical therapy aides should be well-organized, detail oriented, and caring. They usually have strong interpersonal skills and a desire to help people in need.
Advancement. Some physical therapy aides advance to become therapist assistants after gaining experience and, often, additional education. Sometimes, this education is required by law.
Nature of Work
Physical therapist aides help physical therapists to provide treatment that improves patient mobility, relieves pain, and prevents or lessens physical disabilities of patients. A physical therapist might ask an assistant to help patients exercise or learn to use crutches, for example, or an aide to gather and prepare therapy equipment. Patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as lower-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.
Physical therapist aides help make therapy sessions productive, under the direct supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. They usually are responsible for keeping the treatment area clean and organized and for preparing for each patient’s therapy. When patients need assistance moving to or from a treatment area, aides push them in a wheelchair or provide them with a shoulder to lean on. Because they are not licensed, aides do not perform the clinical tasks of a physical therapist assistant in States where licensure is required.
The duties of aides include some clerical tasks, such as ordering depleted supplies, answering the phone, and filling out insurance forms and other paperwork. The extent to which an aide or an assistant performs clerical tasks depends on the size and location of the facility.
Tasks
* Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
* Administer active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, and heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality
treatments, such as ultrasound.
* Instruct, motivate, safeguard and assist patients practicing exercises and functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
* Record treatment given and equipment used.
* Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment.
* Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress, and report to physical therapist.
* Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
* Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
* Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
* Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order.
Work environment. Physical therapist aides need a moderate degree of strength because of the physical exertion required in assisting patients with their treatment. In some cases, aides need to lift patients. Frequent kneeling, stooping, and standing for long periods also are part of the job.
The hours and days that physical therapist aides work vary with various healthcare facilities. Many outpatient physical therapy offices and clinics have evening and weekend hours, to coincide with patients’ personal schedules.
Program Duration:160 theory(classroom/lab) & clinical hours
Additional requirements: Students are required to have an immunization, TB skin test or chest x-ray and physical exam before externship.
Physical Therapy Aide Curriculum/Program
Our Physical Therapy Aide program will inspire students to adhere to ethical, moral and professional standards of nursing practice through the integration of the school’s philosophy and curriculum. Our program will also focus on building a high level of confidence in all areas of nursing practice competencies which will enable students provide optimal care to patients. In order to fulfill the institution’s mission, our program objectives, methods and educational emphases are as follow:
1. Provide entry-level skills for employment as a Physical Therapy Aide
2. Prepare the student to provide safe, competent, and culturally-
congruent patient care.
3. Instill in the student qualities such as values, punctuality, teamwork,
dedication, compassion, confidence, ease of communication in which are
extremely valued by the prospective employers and patients alike.
4. Assist the student fulfill his/her physical, psychosocial and spiritual
needs
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for enrollment in the Physical Therapy Aide Program, the applicant must have satisfactorily completed the following courses by the application deadline.
The applicants must meet the following criteria as follows:
1. At least be 16 years of age
2. Must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent
3. Speaks, writes and understands English
4. Be physically fit and pass the physical examination
5. Has not been convicted of any of the sections in the Penal code.
ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Applicants should call the Admission to schedule for an appointment with the institution’s Admission Office for an interview and tour of the facility. Applicants will be given an “Admission Packet” (tuition fee and payment options). The applicant should complete the admission applications with all the admission requirements and the non-refundable $75.00 registration fee. At this time the applicants will receive the school catalog.
Cornerstone College believes in quality education by holding smaller classes. Smaller classes allow students and faculty to get to know each other well. Faculty can rapidly identify academic performance problems of individual students sooner than in large classes and provide those students with assistance so that they do not fall behind the rest of the class.
PROGRAM COST
Cornerstone College offers one of the lowest tuition in the Bay Area. The tuition fee includes the following:
a. Books/learning resources & materials
b. Uniforms
c. ID
**There is a minimum of 10-12 students to begin a class for each program. Cornerstone College has the right to postpone and reschedule a class based on the number of enrolled students.
**CLASS SCHEDULE(150 Hours of State approved program)
Day Schedule(20 days)
Mon - Fri (8am - 4:30pm)
Next class: Please 510-870-3522 call for the next available date...
Evening/Weekend Schedule(10 weeks)
Tue & Thu (6pm-10pm) and Sat (8am - 4:30pm)
Next class: Please call 510-870-3522 for the next available date...
| Clinical Rehabilitation Aide |
Physical Therapy Aide(PTA) |
Rehabilitation Assistant |
| Rehabiltation Attendant |
Occupational Therapy Aide |
Physical Therapy Attendant |
| Rehabilitation Technician |
Physical Therapy Technician |
Restorative Aide |
| Physiotherapy Aide |
Restorative Care Technician |
Physical Therapist Technician |
| Rehabilitation Aide |
|
|
| $25,060.00 |
Median Annual Wage |
2,000 |
Average Job Openings Per Year |
| 1.8 |
Average Unemployment Percentage |
11.7 |
Percentage w/High School Diploma |
| 46,000 |
Employment Numbers in 2006 |
65,4 |
Percentage w/some college |
| 58,000 |
Employment numbers in 2016(est) |
22.9 |
Percentage that went beyonjd college degree |
Sample Job Titles
