Physical Therapist Assistant

This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research, and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

In this course, students explore the Gateway Technical College community. They examine college resources and services, investigate skills that lead to academic success, and identify strategies for achieving educational and personal goals.

This course examines the basic concepts of human anatomy and physiology as they relate to health sciences. Using a body systems approach, the course emphasizes the interrelationships between structure and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization of the entire human body. It is intended to prepare health care professionals who need to apply basic concepts of whole body anatomy and physiology to informed decision making and professional communication with colleagues and patients.

This course focuses upon developing speaking, verbal and nonverbal communication, and listening skills through individual presentations, group activities, and other projects.

This course introduces students to some of the major theories and topics of psychology, including the physiological basis of behavior, personality and learning theories, memory, states of consciousness, stress, research methods, intelligence, human development, psychopathology, and social behavior.

Introduces basic principles of musculoskeletal anatomy, kinematics, and clinical assessment. Students locate and identify muscles, joints, and other landmarks of the lower quadrant in addition to assessing range of motion and strength.

This course develops the knowledge and technical skills necessary to perform numerous therapeutic modalities likely to be utilized as a PTA.

This course is an introduction to basic skills and physical therapy interventions performed by the physical therapist assistant.

This course introduces the history and development of the physical therapy program, legal and ethical issues, the interdisciplinary health care team, and professional communication skills. This course is equivalent to 524-140 at other WTCS schools.

Applies basic principles from PTA Kinesiology 1 to the axial skeleton and upper quadrant including location and identification of muscles, joints and other landmarks. Assess range of motion and strength of the axial skeleton and upper quadrant. Integrate analysis of posture and gait.

This course provides a part-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills pertinent to physical therapy practice. It is the equivalent of 524-147 at other WTCS schools.

This course integrates concepts of musculoskeletal pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment. It is equivalent to 524-145 at other WTCS schools.

This course provides instruction on the implementation of a variety of therapeutic exercise principles. Learners implement, educate, adapt, and assess responses to therapeutic exercises.

Developmental Psychology is the study of human development throughout the lifespan. This course explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that affect the individual from conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain an increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others.

This course provides another part-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills required of the entry level physical therapist assistant in various practice settings. It is equivalent to 524-148 at other WTCS schools.

This course integrates concepts of cardiopulmonary and integumentary pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment. It is equivalent to 524-146 at other WTCS schools.

This course integrates concepts of neuromuscular pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment. It is equivalent to 524-144 at other WTCS schools.

Race, Ethnic, and Diversity Studies is a course that draws from several disciplines to reaffirm the basic American values of justice and equality by teaching a basic vocabulary, a basic history of immigration and conquest, principles of transcultural communication, legal liability, and the value of aesthetic production to increase the probability of respectful encounters among people. In addition to an analysis of majority/minority relations in a multicultural context, the topics of ageism, sexism, gender differences, sexual orientation, people with disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are explored. Ethnic relations are studied in global and comparative perspectives.

This course provides a full-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills required of the entry level physical therapist assistant in various practice settings.

This course incorporates professional development, advanced legal and ethical issues, healthcare management and administration, and further development of professional communication strategies.

This capstone course integrates concepts of pathology, physical therapy interventions, and data collection across the lifespan. In addition, the PTA's role in health, wellness and prevention, reintegration, and physical therapy interventions for special patient populations will be addressed. This course is equivalent to 524-149 at other WTCS schools.