Physical Therapist Assistant, A.S.

The minimum grade requirement for all required general and technical courses is a B- with a 6 credit allowance for courses graded a C+. Courses graded below a C+ will not be considered successfully completed for the PTA program.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone:703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a 2-year degree program consisting of 5 semesters of coursework including 3 student clinical experiences in various physical therapy settings. The first two semesters of general education provides students with a broad foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. Upon successful completion of general education and other requirements (see the PTA webpage for details: http://www.umpi.edu/academics/physical-therapist-assistant) the student will then apply directly to the program for admittance into the final three semesters of technical coursework. The primary objective of our program is to graduate skilled clinicians who will go on to take a national certification exam and become licensed to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist as a state-licensed physical therapist assistant. The licensed physical therapist assistant works under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist to improve physical conditioning and prevent injury, reduce pain, restore mobility, and help patients across the lifespan rehabilitate from a wide variety of surgical and nonsurgical orthopedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and other conditions. Employers of PT assistants include hospitals, rehab facilities, home care organizations, the VA, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics.

Program Mission

The PTA program mission is to provide a comprehensive and rigorous educational experience where students are committed to excellence, professional development and lifelong learning. Our graduates are prepared to become licensed physical therapist assistants and provide quality, ethical services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Our program is committed to public service and meeting the needs of the Aroostook County region through educational and service driven partnerships with community employers, schools, and organizations.

Program Goals

1. 70% technical phase graduation rate
2. Licensure ultimate examination pass rate of at least 90% within the first year of graduation.
3. Employment rate of at least 90% within 1 year of licensure.
4. Licensed graduates in the state of Maine will remain in good ethical and legal standing with the State’s Office of Licensing and Registration.
5. PTA students and faculty will provide/participate in annual community services including balance screens and health fairs.
6. Graduate surveys will indicate that at least 90% of graduates are engaging in annual continuing education activities.
7. 80% of employer surveys will indicate that they would hire another UMPI PTA graduate if the need arises.
8. All PTA faculty members will maintain (3/5) or better on each assessment criteria in all student course evaluations.
9. Each clinical site will maintain a minimum of 75% favorable student evaluations.
10. Each PTA core faculty member will attend at least one continuing education seminar/workshop annually and present to PTA/allied health departments
11. The program will be 100% compliant with CAPTE requirements.

Program Outcomes:

1. Professional Communication: The student will demonstrate effective, accurate, and professional verbal, nonverbal, and written communication in all aspects of health care.
2. Professionalism: The student will demonstrate behavior in a professional, legal, and ethical manner in all situations
3. Data Collection: The student will competently and safely collect data as needed to carry out the PT plan of care
4. Interventions: The student will competently and safely implement select components of interventions identified in the PT plan of care under the direction and supervision of the PT.
5. Clinical Problem Solving: The student exhibits sound clinical decision making abilities within the PT plan of care while carrying out the PT plan of care.
6. Participation in Healthcare Environment and Practice Managment: The student demonstrates proficient knowledge and skills to participate in healthcare provider safety, interprofessional collaboration, quality assurance, organizational planning and operation, billing and payment.

Requirements

In order to become eligible to apply for the clinical phase of the program each applicant must declare him/herself a PTA major and complete credit hours of general course requirements as follows:  FYS 100 - First-Year Seminar  1;  HPR 101 - Lifelong Wellness  3; ENG 101 - College Composition  3; PCJ 215 - Business Communication  3; BIO 261  A&P w/lab 4; BIO 262  A&P w/lab 4; Psy 101 General Psychology 3; PSY 205 - Lifespan Development  3; MAT 101 - Basic Statistics  3; PHE 274 Structural Kinesiology 3. Candidates for the PTA program must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.64. The minimum grade requirement for all required general and technical courses is a B- with a 6 credit allowance for courses graded a C+. Courses graded below a C+ will not be considered successfully completed for the PTA program. General course minimum grade and GPA requirement may be waived for certified health care providers who have at least one year of full-time employment in their field. The waiver is at the sole discretion of the Director of the PTA program. Transfer credits and course substitutions should be discussed with the program director and will be considered on an individual basis. Other program application requirements can be found on the PTA webpage at: http://www.umpi.edu/academics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/07/technical-phase-application-requirments.pdf.