Program Information

Definition

Physical therapy is a healthcare profession in which Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants work with people who have functional limitations and disabilities or other movement related dysfunctions. PTs and PTAs are primarily concerned with normalizing movement dysfunction related to musculoskeletal and neurologic imbalance and promotion of health, wellness, and fitness for all populations.

Description

The physical therapist assistant (PTA) is a highly skilled health care provider who works under the supervision of a physical therapist (PT). The PTA assists the PT in patient treatment programs and assesses patient progress according to the Physical Therapist plan of care.

Skills

Under physical therapist supervision, the physical therapist assistant may provide physical therapy to people of all ages.  Treatment may be provided for a variety of clinical conditions such as arthritis, amputation, fractures, cerebrovascular accident (stroke),  spinal cord and head injury, multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy (CP), heart or lung disease, women's health & sport related injuries, and many others. Physical therapist assistants also instruct the patient, the family and persons who might help during recovery, or in some cases, for the remainder of the patient's life. Physical Therapist Assistants also assist PTs with health and fitness promotion and rehabilitation of athletes.

The treatments given by PTAs include therapeutic exercise for increasing strength, endurance, coordination, balance, relaxation and range of motion; stimuli to facilitate motor activity and learning; instruction in activities of daily living and the use of canes, walkers, crutches and wheelchairs; the selection and fitting of appropriate bracing and supportive devices; the application of modalities such as heat, cold, whirlpool, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, diathermy, myofascial release, fitness program implementation, etc.

Starting salaries for new graduates is $36,000.

Education

To become a physical therapist assistant you must complete an Associate Degree in an accredited program. To practice in Kansas, you must take a state examination to become a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA). Each state has its own practice requirements.

Students interested in preparing for a career in physical therapy should have an interest in helping and working with people of all ages. Specialization as a Physical Therapist Assistant is available for graduates of an accredited PTA program. Areas of specialization for PTAs, as recommended and acknowledged by the American Physical Therapy Association include: musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, or integumentary systems.

Employment

PTAs work in a variety of settings including departments of physical therapy in generalized or specialized hospitals, medical clinics or sports medicine facilities, intermediate care facilities, long-term care hospitals or nursing homes, home health agencies, private practice clinics,  rehabilitation centers, the Armed Forces, community and government agencies providing health services, schools, fitness centers, and in physical therapy educational programs.

Admission Criteria and Information

  1. Students must be accepted to Washburn University and have a completed Physical Therapist Assistant program application packet on file with the program director by February 1 of application year to be considered for acceptance into the program.
  2. Application to the program does not constitute admission. The PTA Program accepts a maximum of 24 students each year through a competitive admissions process.
  3. Selection of students is based on: GPA, letter of intent, observational summary, letters of recommendation, past work and volunteer work experiences, previous/current relevant college course work, observation hours and clinicians' recommendations. Based on this information, selected students are offered probationary positions in the program.* Please see individual forms in the PTA Program Application Packet for scoring information.

* Students must submit the following application materials prior to February 1 of the application year:

  1. Washburn University Application for Admission form
  2. Official transcripts for ALL colleges and universities attended
  3. Washburn University Physical Therapist Assistant Program Application form
  4. Washburn University Physical Therapist Assistant Program Letter of Intent form
  5. Washburn University Physical Therapist Assistant Program Observation Reflection form
  6. Two Washburn University Physical Therapist Assistant Program Personal Recommendations forms
  7. Two Washburn University Physical Therapist Assistant Program Clinical Observation forms
  8. Washburn University Physical Therapist Assistant Program Academic Profile form
  9. Personal resume according to the guidelines in the application packet.

Other FAQs

  1. Classes begin in the fall semester.
  2. Successful completion of the PTA program requires participation in clinical practicum courses. Students can only be placed in these courses after a background check, at their expense, has been completed. Further information on this topic can be found in the PTA Program Application.
  3. Students will be required to transport themselves between various clinics in the Topeka and surrounding area. At least one clinical rotation will be outside of Topeka, but within a 60 mile radius of Topeka.
  4. Students will be required to furnish their own living and travel expenses for out-of-city and out-of-state clinics.
  5. Information is available on financial aid, through Washburn's Financial Aid Office.
  6. This Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
  7. Admitted students will complete a physical examination with the University Health Service prior to the first scheduled clinical affiliation.
  8. Admitted students will be required to carry health insurance throughout the three clinical affiliations.
  9. Admitted students will complete Health Care Provider CPR Certification and Blood Borne Pathogen Certification prior to the start of AL 264 Clinical I and maintain the certification throughout the remainder of their clinical rotations.
  10. Admitted students are required to obtain a "C" or better in all required courses, correlate courses and university required courses to remain in the program.
  11. Applicants who received prior education at a school in which English was not the language of instruction must: have completed and returned all University required documentation for admission; be unconditionally accepted to Washburn University; and show proof of having taken the Test of Spoken English (TSE) developed and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and of receiving a score of at least 50. All the above requirements must be met for the foreign educated applicant's PTA Program application to be reviewed and scored.
  12. Students are required to read and sign "Technical Standards" form.

For more information and to request an Application Packet for the Washburn University Physical Therapist Assistant Program contact:

Lisa Rieschick (lisa.rieschick@washburn.edu)
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
School of Applied Studies
Washburn University
Benton Hall, Room 107
Topeka, Kansas 66621
(785) 670-2170

or

Lori Khan, MS, DPT, CCI (lori.khan@washburn.edu)
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
School of Applied Studies
Washburn University
Benton Hall, Room 101
Topeka, Kansas 66621
(785) 670-1406



[ WU Home ] [ Directory & Information ] [ Emergency Contacts ] [ Site Map ] [ Contact WU ] [ Important Policies ]  [ Accessibility ]
© 2000-2009 Washburn University, 1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, Kansas 66621 (785) 670-1010
Contact webmaster@washburn.edu with questions or comments.