Considering a career in health care? Explore the rewarding world of physical therapy! Become a physical therapist assistant (PTA).

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to grow more than 48 percent in Illinois by 2016 due to increasing demand for physical therapy services.

Start your journey to a rewarding career at KCC!

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is the art and science of providing non-invasive health care services using an individualized “hands-on” approach. The primary focus of physical therapy is to improve quality of life and movement by alleviating pain; maintaining, improving or restoring physical function and mobility; and promoting healing, health and wellness for individuals of all ages. Physical therapy can play a role in most peoples' lives. Impairment or dysfunction resulting from injury, disease or conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, or integumentary (skin) systems are the most comment problems treated in physical therapy.

The physical therapy profession

Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, who have medical problems or other conditions which limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Physical therapist assistants are skilled health care providers who provide physical therapy services to these patients under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

PTs and PTAs specialize in human movement science and enjoy challenging work, communicating with people, and working in a team to assist patients to achieve their fullest rehabilitation potential.

What are the responsibilities of the PTA?

The responsibilities of the PTA include assisting the physical therapist in implementing, monitoring, and modifying patient-specific treatment programs. With a strong emphasis on patient/caregiver education, therapeutic exercise and functional training are the fundamental treatments provided by the PTA. Depending on the particular needs of the patient, the PTA also uses manual techniques; neuromuscular rehabilitation; modalities such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, heat, cold, and massage; and wound care interventions. It is the responsibility to report patients' responses and treatment outcomes to the PT. In addition, PTAs supervise PT aides and students in accordance to state practice laws and regulations.

Career path for the PTA

As an integral member of the health care team, the PTA works in a variety of settings, which include: hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, home health, hospice facilities, research centers, athletic facilities, industrial clinics, academic centers as educators and more.

Due to the diversity of patients seen and the variety of clinical settings available, PTAs can specialize in the care of one patient group or experience a variety of employment options. A PTA can also advance their clinical skills through professional continuing education as well as seek recognition of the Advanced Proficiency for the Physical Therapist Assistant by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Median annual earnings of a PTA in the U.S. was $41,360 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent of employees earned between $33,840 and $49,010. The highest 10 percent earned more than $57,220. Salary is dependent on experience. (Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Licensure

Eligibility to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants requires having graduated from an accredited PTA education program. Successful completion of this exam is necessary for licensure and to practice as a PTA in Illinois, and most other states. In addition to passing the NPTE, each state includes rigorous legal and ethical standards of practice. For more details on the practice standards for Illinois, please visit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations at http://www.idfpr.com/. You may also find more information about the NPTE and a listing of state regulatory agencies and their requirements for licensure by visiting the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy at http://www.fsbpt.org/.

Admission requirements

Being accepted to KCC does not mean acceptance into the PTA program. The PTA program accepts 20 (twenty) new students into the program each fall. Due to the limited enrollment, student admissions for the PTA program is a competitive application process. Applicants who meet minimum eligibility requirements by the deadline of April 2 will receive first consideration for entry to the PTA program. Applications will continue to be accepted after April 2, with eligible applicants being considered for program entry on a space available basis according to points – those with the highest points are accepted first.

Applicants must:

1. Complete and submit the Admissions Form to KCC and be accepted to the college.
2. Submit a PTA program application to Student Services – Health Careers adviser, which includes the following:
   1. Completed PTA program application. Interested students should contact a Health Careers adviser in Student Services at (815) 802-8500 for an appointment.
   2. Official high school transcripts or official GED scores from all schools previously attended.
   3. Official college transcripts from all schools previously attended.
   4. A grade point average of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale from KCC or community colleges who provide a cooperative agreement for the PTA program.
   5. Scores from the COMPASS test no more than two years prior to the month of the program admissions deadline.

Foreign documents must be evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) before the degree is confirmed as equivalent to a U.S. diploma and/or points or credit for any coursework may be awarded. Please go to: www.naces.org/members.htm for more information.

All information must be included for the application to be complete. Any piece of missing documentation will result in the application not being considered for admission. Each time an applicant reapplies to the PTA program this packet must be completed again. Retain copies of every item submitted, as this information will not be released from previous application packets.