Physical Therapist Assistant

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program prepares students for employmentas physical therapist assistants (PTA). The PTA functions through the directionof a physical therapist (PT) to implement the PT’s plan of care. The ultimategoal of physical therapy is to aid patients and clients in their return tomaximal function. PTA students are instructed in thinking processes and skillssuch as therapeutic exercise, orthopedic and neurological interventions,therapeutic modalities, and the art of patient care. In addition to patienttreatment courses, students study the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology,clinical pathology, and kinesiology. Clinical education experiences areintegrated throughout the curriculum and offer students the opportunity topractice the techniques learned and practiced each semester. The program isdesigned to be completed in two years.

Clinical affiliations are an essential part of the program.Students are expected to be able to travel to off-campus locations in theCoachella Valley region. Program admission is based on a selective proce3ss andinvolves a special application for admission. Applicants are selected once ayear and begin the course of study each Fall semester. For program informationand application contact the PTA program office in the department ofKinesiology.

According to current student counts and local demand it isestimated that the program will fill to capacity within the first year (25students). Since this is a new program there is no existing data on enrollmentsand completer projections.

(A) Labor Market Information (LMI)

In 2016,there were nearly 880 physical therapy occupational group jobs in the InlandEmpire/Desert Region. Across the local region, employment related to thephysical therapy occupational group is expected to increase 26% through 2021.Employers in the region will need to hire nearly 800 more workers over the nextfive years to fill new jobs and to backfill jobs that current workers arepermanently leaving (includes retirements).

Upon successful complete of the Associate in Science Degree in Physical TherapistAssistant, the student should be able to:

1.      Demonstrate entry-level competencyof all required skills of a PTA for employment in the variety of PT clinicalsettings applying the knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology,kinesiology and psychosocial, cultural and spiritual principles to therehabilitation treatment process.

2.      Competently perform as a PTAadhering to the ethical codes of conduct, implement the plan of care andintervention goals as directed by the physical therapist, and interact withpatients, families, and other health care providers.

3.      Report and record client data,which effectively communicates the need and rationale for physical therapyintervention using appropriate medical terminology.

4.      Qualify to take the NationalPhysical Therapist Assistant licensing Examination.

The mission of College of the Desert reads: College of theDesert provides excellent educational programs in basic skills, career andtechnical education, certificate, transfer preparation, associate degrees,noncredit and distance education, which are continuously evaluated andimproved. Our programs and services contribute to the success, learning andachievement of our diverse students and the vitality of the Desert CommunityCollege District, surrounding areas and beyond.

The proposed Associate in Science in Physical TherapistAssistant aligns with the dynamic culture of the college in that it is ahigh-quality program award developed in direct response to evolving communityneeds. Born out of a Kinesiology advisory committee meeting conversation aboutchanges in local fitness industry services and trends, this change supports thepriorities described in the College of the Desert mission. Advisory committeesupport is indicative of clear and strong community support, since College ofthe Desert has a long and established history of educating and training asubstantial number of fitness professionals within our regional workforce.