Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistants are in Demand!

Employment of Physical Therapist Assistants is projected to grow 31% from 2016 to 2026*

The accelerated pace of CBD College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program allows you to train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant without having to put your busy life on hold.

What You Will Do as a Physical Therapist Assistant

PTA’s are responsible for many essential tasks, including:

• A Physical Therapist Assistant provides direct patient care by:
• Helping patients who are recovering from injury, illness or surgery
• Utilizing specific techniques, procedures and treatments, including massage, ultrasound, hydrotherapy, manual techniques, and exercise to treat patients
• Monitoring and documenting patient responses to treatment and progress
• Educating patients and families to help themselves regain their independence and quality of living
• Being a key member of the PT/PTA team that applies treatment plans that improve movement and change people’s lives for the better every day

Where You Can Work

• Physical Therapy Clinics
• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Outpatient Clinics
• Schools
• Home Health Care Services
• Physician Offices
• Skilled Nursing Facilities

PTA Career Exploration Resources

• O-Net OnLine: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-2021.00
• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA):  http://www.apta.org/AboutCareers

*source: bls.gov

Disclosure

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at CBD College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Nancy Rupp, PT, DPT at (213) 786-1039 or email nrupp@cbd.edu.

CAPTE Reported PTA Outcomes

2024-2025 PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF A PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

Success in both academics and a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant involves mastering a combination of physical and mental tasks. These include honing skills in listening, monitoring, speaking, and teaching, along with strong reading, comprehension, and reasoning abilities.

PTA Students who are unable to develop these essential functions may struggle to progress through the program, face challenges in attending clinicals, and could ultimately be unable to graduate or apply for licensure. Physical therapist assistant programs are designed to help students acquire these critical skills for a successful career.

Applicants with questions about their ability to perform the essential functions of a PTA should meet with an advisor prior to applying to the physical therapist assistant program. Additional information about job expectations is available in the Occupational Profile for Physical Therapist Assistants at Career One Stop (www.careeronestop.org).

BACKGROUND CHECK

Any felony or certain misdemeanor convictions may prevent the student from being accepted by clinical sites, obtaining certification/licensure upon graduation, and/or obtaining gainful employment.

During the pre-admission process, students are made aware that placement at a facility affiliated with CBD College for their clinical education might be conditional on a clear background check. CBD College requires a clear background check for the admission process, but students are made aware that they may be required to undergo additional background checks, at the time of their clinical education and in the application process for licensure. 

Students of the CBD College Physical Therapist Assistant Program are advised that hospitals and outpatient clinics typically require that students submit to background checks and receive appropriate clearance before they will be permitted to participate in clinical rotations at those institutions. Students who do not receive appropriate clearance may be unable to fulfill their academic requirements at CBD College, and therefore may not be able to complete their educational program. If you know of anything in your background check that may prevent you from taking the licensure exam, we advise you to check with an admissions representative prior to enrolling in the PTA program.

The admissions background check fee is included in the tuition.

DRUG SCREENING

CBD College does not require a drug screening at this time; however, every student must be aware that almost every clinical/externship site requires a drug screening test before starting a clinical experience at their clinic/facility. The drug screening is to be completed during the module directly preceding the clinical/externship portion of the program by the student at any clinic of their choice. The cost is the responsibility of the individual student. The results are to be returned to the Clinical Coordinator in preparation for clinical experience. The decision to move forward in case of Positive drug screening is up to each individual clinic. Students may retake a drug screening test if there is enough time before the start of clinical experience. Positive drug screening may prevent a student from going to a clinical site, which will result in removal from the program.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FORM

Students enrolled in our Physical Therapist Assistant degree program, Surgical Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs at CBD College are required to complete and submit the Physical Examination Form, signed by a physician, before starting their clinical experience at a clinic or facility. The physician will examine the student and determine whether he/she holds the capability to perform the expected tasks related to the program of study. This form will need to be completed by the midterm of the module directly preceding the clinical rotation/externship. An incomplete form will prevent the student from progressing to the Clinical Education portion of the program and may eliminate them from the program.

These records will be kept in a student’s file in the locked cabinets of the clinical or program coordinator.

This form also serves as evidence that the student has documentation of the required immunizations for MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Tdap. Students non-immunized may not be accepted by the healthcare facilities for their rotations and therefore will be at risk of not completing all the requirements for graduation.

The physical examination form must also attest that the student has been negatively tested for TB, or has a clear CXR, in case of a positive TB Exam.

Each applicant is responsible for the cost of his/her physical examination.

FLU SHOTS

Students may be required by the clinical sites to which they have been assigned, to get a flu shot. If a student refuses, other options are solely up to the specific clinic.
Failure to comply with any and all clinical externship Flu prevention policy may place a student at risk of not completing all necessary graduation requirements.