Physical Therapist Assistant — A.S.

Program director
R. Jeremy Hubbard

Director of clinical education
Jennifer Rae Rubio

Advisory committee
Leo Adorador
Kristine Amouzandeh
Brandi Bolanos
Dillon Chang
Anna Elkins
Amber Harrell
Eugene Martinez
Steven Snitzer

The physical therapist assistant (PTA) is a skilled paraprofessional health-care provider who implements the plan of care for patients under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Following established procedures, the PTA may train patients in exercises and activities of normal daily living; perform treatment interventions; utilize special equipment; assist in performing tests, data collection, and complex treatment procedures; and observe and document the patient's responses.

Physical therapists and PTAs may serve as part of a rehabilitation team—including occupational therapists, nurses, speech and hearing therapists, respiratory therapists, recreational therapists, physicians, social workers, chaplains, vocational counselors, dietitians, and psychologists. This team has as its objective the optimum functional restoration and rehabilitation of patients disabled by illness or injury.

The program

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program, a 15-month curriculum which begins with the sophomore year, leads to the Associate in Science degree and professional licensure. Instruction begins in June, and students participate in graduation ceremonies the following June. Program completion occurs when clinical performance requirements are met—typically by the end of September.

Clinical learning experiences

The program includes supervised, one-on-one clinical instruction across the human life span in a variety of settings, including acute and sub-acute inpatient facilities and outpatient clinics. Students complete three six-week, full-time clinical experiences, all coordinated and monitored by the director of clinical education or the program director. Although the program makes an effort to accommodate each student's preference, students agree to accept clinical assignments made by the program at any of the affiliated facilities, whether local or out of state. Because of the limited number of local facilities available, assignments cannot be made on the basis of the student's family/marital status or personal preference.

Transportation

Students are required to have their own transportation to and from clinical sites.  

CPR certification

Students are required to hold current certification in adult, child, and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during all scheduled clinical experiences. Basic life-support CPR certification for health-care providers must be completed via the American Heart Association. Certification may be completed prior to beginning the program of study or may be obtained at Loma Linda University. Classes are available on campus at Life Support Education, University Arts building, 24887 Taylor Street, Suite 102, Loma Linda, California.

Professional licensing

Satisfactory completion of all degree requirements, including all clinical experience courses, will qualify the graduate for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants. State licensure or certification is required to practice as a PTA in all 50 states and in the District of Columbia. Information about licensing or certification in the state in which one wishes to practice can be found online at http://www.apta.org/licensure. 

Professional association

Students and graduates are eligible for membership in the American Physical Therapy Association which fosters the development and improvement of  physical therapy services and education. The organization grants student membership at a reduced cost to undergraduates of approved schools. The student is required to become a member of this association while in the program. The national office of the American Physical Therapy Association is at 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Program philosophy statement

In accordance with the motto of Loma Linda University,"To make man whole,"and the mission of the School of Allied Health Professions,"To continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ," the program is committed to the highest development of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual capacities of its faculty and students. Promoting wholeness constitutes a caring commitment to the well-being of others, to students, and to program personnel; to active engagement in the advancement of the profession; and to a living consecration to God. Students in this program will have opportunities to develop a commitment to excellence in service for others and their profession as well as to develop a biblically informed faith and a commitment to lifelong spiritual growth.

Program mission

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program affirms the mission and values of Loma Linda University and the School of Allied Health Professions by providing an educational program that prepares physical therapist assistants with balanced intellectual development, social skills, competent practice, and spiritual connection.

Program goals

In order to achieve the mission of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, the program goals are to:

1. Provide adequate space, equipment, and resources in an appropriate learning environment for the technical portion of physical therapist assistant education;
2. Provide opportunities for graduates to practice the concept of wholeness in terms of physical, mental, and spiritual concerns when addressing the needs of the patient/client; 
3. Maintain compliance with the Standards and Required Elements for accreditation of PTA educational programs, published by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Program learning outcomes

Upon program completion, the graduate should be able to:

1. Demonstrate entry-level knowledge and skills appropriate for safe practice as a physical therapist assistant with effective clinical reasoning and lifelong-learning skills.
2. Provide physical therapy interventions and services under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists in a variety of settings.
3. Exhibit ethical behavior consistent with legal and professional standards when interacting with instructors, classmates, patients/clients and family members, and clinical personnel, including compassionate respect for differences.
4. Demonstrate consideration of the close interrelationship of physical, mental, and spiritual concerns when addressing the needs of patients/clients and others.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Loma Linda University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; 800/ 999-2782; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 909/558-4634 or email studypta@llu.edu.

Admission is based on a selective process.  In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Allied Health Professions admissions requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:

• a minimum G.P.A. of 2.50 in the three basic science prerequisite courses and a minimum G.P.A. of 2.50 in the remaining non-science prerequisite courses
• transfer of prerequisite courses from an accredited college or university.  Note: Grades below C (2.0) are not transferable for credit.
• a personal interview
• a writing assessment done at the time of the interview
• documentation of work or observation experience; specifically, at least 20 hours of work or observation in an inpatient physical therapy setting and at least 20 hours in an outpatient physical therapy setting, plus additional work/observation hours in either an inpatient or an outpatient physical therapy setting for a minimum total of 80 hours.

Prerequisites

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to entering the program.  An application for admission may be submitted while some coursework is in progress if the student expects to complete the required coursework before the program begins.  Individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university need to complete only the courses denoted with an asterisk (*):

Humanities: Four units from one of the topics listed;  history, literature, philosophy, foreign language, art/music appreciation/ history

*Human anatomy and physiology, complete sequence with laboratory components (preferred);  or general biology, complete sequence with laboratory components (accepted)
*Introductory physics with laboratory component, one quarter/semester
*Two years high school mathematics with grades C or above, or intermediate algebra in college or a college statistics course
*General psychology
*Human growth and development or developmental psychology or abnormal psychology
English composition, complete sequence
*Speech (preferred) or Interpersonal communication (accepted)
Personal health/nutrition, or two physical education/activity courses
*Medical terminology 

If needed, elective courses may be taken to meet the minimum total requirements of 48 quarter units or 32 semester units

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Fulfills service learning requirement

A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all courses in the program.

Normal time to complete the program

1.33 years (Five [5] academic quarters) at LLU — full-time enrollment typical; half-time enrollment (3.25 years) by permission only