Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program leads to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Upon completion of the program students are eligible to take the national examination through the Federation of State Boards in Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to become Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA). The program features general education and science requirements as well as physical therapy procedure and systems courses and a clinical education component. During clinical courses students may be required to attend clinical sites outside the Topeka area. All students in this program are required to provide their own transportation to clinicals as well as clinical lab attire. Professional liability insurance is provided by Washburn University, however, some clinical sites may require malpractice insurance.
Mission
The mission of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program is to offer a quality career-oriented program allowing graduates to become credentialed Physical Therapist Assistants. To help students achieve this goal, the program is focused on providing excellence in teaching with high faculty-student interaction and enhanced educational experiences through relationships with community partners. By doing so, it allows students to realize their intellectual, academic, and professional potential so they can become lifelong learners who are responsible and productive members of the health care team and local community, state, and region.
Washburn University Assessment - Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program students will be able to:
- PSLO 1: Demonstrate the ability to work under the supervision of a physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner.
- PSLO 2: Implement a comprehensive treatment plan developed by a physical therapist.
- PSLO 3: Communicate regularly with supervising physical therapists about the patient’s progress or adjustments made in treatment procedures in accordance with changes in patient status.
- PSLO 4: Perform appropriate measurement techniques within the knowledge and limits of practice to assist the supervising physical therapists in monitoring and modifying the plan of care.
- PSLO 5: Interact with patients and families in a manner which provides the desired psychosocial support including the recognition of cultural and socioeconomic differences.
- PSLO 6: Participate in the teaching of other health care providers, patients, and families.
- PSLO 7: Document relevant aspects of patient treatment and participate in discharge planning and follow-up care.
- PSLO 8: Demonstrate effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication with patients and their families, colleagues, health care providers, and the public.
- PSLO 9: Understand the levels of authority and responsibility; planning, time management, supervisory process, performance evaluations, policies, and procedures; fiscal considerations for physical therapy providers and consumers, and continuous quality improvement.
- PSLO 10: Practice professional development through reading and interpreting professional literature, participation in professional organizations, and attendance at continuing education programs.
- PSLO 11: Graduate pass rates for the PTA Certification Examination will be at or above the national pass rate average.
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Washburn University is accredited by:
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave Ste 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
telephone: (703) 706-3245; e-mail: accreditation@apta.org;
website: www.capteonline.org.
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (785) 670-2170 or email mark.kohls@washburn.edu.
Physical Therapy Club
The purpose of the Physical Therapy Club is to provide an environment which facilitates professional growth, creates a community of professionals for mentorship and peer support, and develops a group that will provide community and educational leadership and service at Washburn University and the surrounding geographical area.
Admission Requirements
This program has special admission requirements. Interested students should contact the Allied Health Department for specific requirements or visit: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/applied-studies/departments/allied-health/pta/index.html. Although some coursework can be completed prior to admission to the PTA Program, there are no pre-requisite courses that must be completed to be eligible for program admission. A maximum of twenty-four students are accepted for the fall of each year.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the requirements stated below, students must complete 15 hours of General Education and all requirements for an Associate of Applied Science degree. Some of the courses below may also fulfill general education or other degree requirements. Please see your advisor for more information.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses Inside Department 1 | ||
| AL 101 | Foundations of Healthcare | 3 |
| AL 170 | Physical Therapy Procedures | 4 |
| AL 171 | Musculoskeletal Assessment in Physical Therapy | 5 |
| AL 186 | Cardiopulmonary Assessment | 2 |
| AL 261 | Therapeutic Modalities in Physical Therapy | 4 |
| AL 264 | Physical Therapy Clinical I and Lab | 3 |
| AL 265 | Applied Neurophysiology - Physical Therapist Assistant | 5 |
| AL 268 | Integumentary Assessment in Physical Therapy | 2 |
| AL 271 | Health Policy & Systems in Physical Therapy | 2 |
| AL 272 | Current Rehabilitation Techniques in Physical Therapy | 2 |
| AL 273 | Physical Therapy Issues | 1 |
| AL 279 | Physical Therapy Clinical II & III | 6 |
| AL 320 | Human Disease | 3 |
| Subtotal | 42 | |
| Required Courses Outside Department 1 | ||
| BI 230 | Introduction to Human Physiology | 3 |
| BI 275 | Human Anatomy 2, 3 | 4 |
| KN 321 | Anatomical Kinesiology | 3 |
| IL 170 | Library Research Strategies | 1 |
| WU 101 | The Washburn Experience | 3 |
| Subtotal | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 56 | |