Physical Therapy Assistant
Information Night
Campus Alberta - Westlock
10007 - 100 Avenue
780-349-7775
NOVEMBER 22 at 7 PM
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Campus Alberta - Drayton Valley
5056 - 50 Avenue
780-542-5400
NOVEMBER 24 at 7 PM
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- Two-year diploma program
- Full-time, on-campus studies and distance education
- Fall intake for on-campus studies
- Continuous monthly intake for distance education
- Two six-week practicum experiences
Program Overview
If you enjoy helping people and want a career assisting patients to overcome physical injury or disability, this diploma program could be for you. Our program prepares you with the theoretical knowledge and therapeutic skills needed to begin your challenging career as a physical therapy assistant. You may assist with treatments and exercises, monitor patients, and perform other tasks as required. The two six-week practicum experiences give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in physical therapy settings. The NorQuest College PTA diploma program offers cross-over domain options to better prepare graduates to work in a multidisciplinary setting.
Applicants are requested to review the requirements listed below and assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the occupation of physical therapy assistant.
As a physical therapy assistant, you must be able to:
- Work shifts and weekends
- Be on your feet for extended periods of time
- Use your knees, back, and arms to move clients who have minimal body strength
- Function effectively in stressful situations
- Perform all skills independently
Distance Delivery
Please visit NorQuest Distance Learning for further information on distance learning study options. Students in the Physical Therapy Assistant distance program will be required to attend an on-campus workshop for assessment of practical skills before starting their practicum experience.
Career Potential
As a physical therapy assistant, you may find employment in rehabilitation hospitals, acute care centres, physical therapy clinics, continuing care centres, special care facilities, schools, and home care programs.
For information on related occupational profiles (keyword physical therapy), see www.alis.gov.ab.ca/occinfo.
To research your career, you may complete a Career Investigation Report:
http://www.employment.alberta.ca/documents/AWonline/career_report.pdf
Transferability
The following Physical Therapy Assistant diploma courses have university transfer credit:
Diploma program graduates are eligible for block transfer credit into the following post-secondary programs:
Athabasca University
- Bachelor of Health Administration (up to 42 credits)
- Bachelor of Professional Arts Human Services (up to 30 credits)
- Bachelor of Science (Post Diploma) in Human Science (30 credits)
NAIT
- Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management
Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops, BC)
- Bachelor of Health Science (up to 57 credits)
- Bachelor of General Studies (up to 60 credits)
University of Calgary
- Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation
Additional credit transfer agreements with various institutions are currently in negotiation.
Admission Requirements (2011-2012)
- 18 years of age
- Grade 12 diploma*
- 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 70% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
- 50% in Pure Mathematics 10 or Applied Mathematics 10 or equivalent
- 60% in Biology 30 or equivalent
- Copies of records for any immunizations that you have received in the past
Practicum Requirements
The following are not required for admission purposes, but will be required before you attend your practicum:
- CPR - Basic Life Support for Health-Care Providers certificate required before practicum experiences begin
- Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check (More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program, in accordance with practicum requirements.) Note: Internet (online) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check.
*For mature students (age 19+), all requirements must be met except the need for a Grade 12 diploma.
English Language Proficiency
If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP) prior to admission. ELP must have been completed within two years prior to application to the program. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:
- CLBA, with an average score of 8 and with no skill score below 8
- TOEFL Internet-based test score 84, with no section score below 21
- IELTS Academic 6.0, with no band scores below 6.0
- CAEL 60, with no subtest below 60
Note: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic course work required for admission to this program.
Provisional Admission
An applicant may be granted provisional admission to this program. A student who has provisional admission must satisfy certain conditions within the first year of enrolment and by the date specified in the offer of admission. Conditions will be stipulated in the admission letter. Access to courses, activities, and practicum experiences may be limited until all provisional requirements are met.
Prep for Therapy Assistant Admission Route
An alternative admission route to this program may be obtained by successful completion of the Prep for Therapy Assistant program.
Admission Requirements (2012-2013)
- 18 years of age
- Grade 12 diploma*
- 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 70% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
- 50% in Mathematics 10C (Pure Mathematics 10 or Applied Mathematics 10) or equivalent
- 60% in Biology 30 or equivalent
- Copies of records of any immunizations that you have received in the past
Practicum Requirements
The following are not required for admission purposes, but will be required before you attend your practicum:
- CPR - Basic Life Support for Health-Care Providers certificate required before practicum experiences begin
- Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check (More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program, in accordance with practicum requirements.)
Note: Internet (online) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check. The existence of a criminal record may prevent clinical placement, program completion, and professional licensure and therefore may affect employment prospects. Prospective students who have a criminal record should discuss the matter with the Program Chair prior to applying for admission.
*For mature students (age 19+), all requirements must be met except the need for a Grade 12 diploma.
English Language Proficiency
If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP) prior to admission. ELP must have been completed within two years prior to application to the program. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:
- CLBA, with an average score of 8 and with no skill score below 8
- TOEFL Internet-based test score 84, with no section score below 21
- IELTS Academic 6.0, with no band scores below 6.0
- CAEL 60, with no subtest below 60
Note: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic course work required for admission to this program.
Provisional Admission
An applicant may be granted provisional admission to this program. A student who has provisional admission must satisfy certain conditions within the first year of enrolment and by the date specified in the offer of admission. Conditions will be stipulated in the admission letter. Access to courses, activities, and practicum experiences may be limited until all provisional requirements are met.
Prep for Therapy Assistant Admission Route
An alternative admission route to this program may be obtained by successful completion of the Prep for Therapy Assistant program.
Progression
Students must attain a pass grade in each course to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses.
Credential
After successfully completing all program requirements, graduates will be awarded a NorQuest College Physical Therapy Assistant diploma.
Honours Criteria
- Overall grade point average (GPA) greater than or equal to 3.7
- The student has not failed or repeated any courses.
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to our Tuition and Fees page for the 2011/12 tuition and fees schedule.
Program Outline (2011/12)
- Cross-over domain options may be taken at any time during the program.
Year 1
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| Term 1 |
16 weeks |
|
| ANPH 1000 |
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
3.0 |
| COMM 1011 |
Interpersonal Communications for
Health-Care
Professions |
3.0 |
| COMM 2011 |
Therapeutic Communication
for
Health-Care Professions |
3.0 |
| ENGL 2550 |
Introduction to Composition |
3.0 |
| HEED 1000 |
Health Education:
Individual Health and Wellness |
3.0 |
| RHAB 1001 |
Introduction to Rehabilitation |
3.0 |
| |
Term 1 Total |
18.0 |
| Term 2 |
16 weeks |
|
| ANPH 1004 |
Functional Anatomy |
3.0 |
| PATH 1010 |
Pathophysiology |
3.0 |
| PSYC 1060 |
Psychology for Health-Care Professions |
3.0 |
| THPR 2001 |
Therapeutic Process I:
Therapeutic Positioning and Postural Drainage |
3.0 |
| THPR 2003 |
Therapeutic Process III:
Therapeutic Assessment Tools and Joint Mobility |
3.0 |
| THPR 2004 |
Therapeutic Process IV:
Therapeutic Mobility |
3.0 |
| |
Term 2 Total |
18.0 |
| Term 3 |
16 weeks |
|
| THPR 2002 |
Therapeutic Process II: Therapeutic Modalities |
3.0 |
| THPR 2005 |
Therapeutic Process V:
Therapeutic Exercise |
3.0 |
| Electives* |
Two approved cross-over domain options |
6.0 |
| |
Term 3 Total |
12.0 |
| |
Year 1 Total |
48.0 |
Year 2
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| Term 4 |
16 weeks |
|
| PPRT 2001 |
Physical Therapy:
Community Practicum |
8.0 |
| PPRT 2002 |
Physical Therapy:
Institutional Practicum |
8.0 |
| |
Term 4 Total |
16.0 |
| |
Year 2 Total |
16.0 |
| |
Program Total |
64.0 |
*Please contact the Allied Health Careers department for suitable electives. University-level courses from another post-secondary institution may be considered for transfer credit. Please contact the program chair of Allied Health Careers to confirm that your course(s) may receive transfer credit as a cross-over domain option.
Note: PTAD students wishing to enrol in Occupational Therapy Assistant courses as electives should register in THPR 2006 and THPR 2007. Both of these courses are offered in Term 3.
Last updated:
October 21, 2011
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