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Physical Therapist Assistant

The PTA program now has an annual application window, applications will be accepted from June 15 through July 30. Applications will not be accepted outside of these dates. The PTA program uses a petition process for clinical/practicum/program courses. Students are selected based on completion of academic eligibility requirements and district residency status. Visit the What is Petitioning webpage for additional information.

A career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) can be very rewarding. PTA’s help patients with injuries or debilitating diseases become more functionally independent. A physical therapist assistant can work in a variety of settings to treat patients of all ages who have movement problems due to weakness, pain, disease, stroke, or injury to muscle, nerves, or bone. Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist. The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Gateway Technical College is a two-year associate degree program offered at the Kenosha Campus. Students learn to treat patients with exercise programs that include stretching, strengthening, posture, balance and coordination, using techniques like massage and manual therapy, and equipment like ultrasound, electrical stimulators, and heat and cold treatments. Gateway’s PTA classes are held during the day and consist of both lecture and lab. During the second and third semesters, students will spend time in local clinics and hospitals working with real patients. The fourth and final semester will include a full-time, eight week student internship providing students with hands-on learning opportunities in a clinic setting.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Gateway Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 262-564-2470 or email gotzt@gtc.edu.

CAPTE Accreditation

Physical therapist assistants may find jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and outpatient clinics, treating patients of all ages who suffer from movement problems due to injury, illness or surgery. PTA’s help patients learn to sit, stand, run, climb stairs, throw and perform work, home and recreational activities properly. The ultimate goal is to help patients become as functionally independent as possible. Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist. Graduation rates for the program in previous years include  66.7% in 2014, 87.5% in 2015, and 81.2% in 2016.

Labs, classes, clinical work and internships will provide hands-on training for Physical Therapist Assistant students at Gateway. Labs will teach students how to use equipment and techniques that are used with real patients. Students practice these techniques with classmates, to gain confidence and competency in their skills. Many classes will include actual patients with specific conditions that volunteer to come to lab giving students practical, real-life experience. Gateway’s lab is equipped with the latest in physical therapy treatment devices, including: ultrasound, iontophoresis, TENS units, neuromuscular electrical stimulation units, whirlpools for hydrotherapy, traction devices, exercise equipment and assistive devices like crutches, canes and walkers, for gait training. Lab experiences will help students as they progress to their clinical rotations, where they will work under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist aide, treating patients. Initially, students will observe their clinical instructor and will progress to hands-on patient care as appropriate. By the end of the final full-time clinical rotation, students are expected to be independently providing care under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

There is an increasing demand for physical therapist assistants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to increase 46 percent through 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations, due to the healthcare needs of a growing elderly population. Gateway has seen a 100 percent employment rate for all program graduates. PTA’s can earn a very competitive salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of PTA’s was $56,610 in 2016.

Graduates will be required to take the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy national licensing exam after graduation to be qualified to practice in the particular state they will be working. Upon passing this exam, certified physical therapist assistants can work in various settings including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and outpatient clinics under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. The 2-year average pass rate is 88.9% for the national licensing exam (graduating classes 2015-2016).

Certificates offer students the opportunity to specialize and focus on key classes that can help them advance their careers. These certificate opportunities include:

Spanish Proficiency for Healthcare Providers

Most program courses offered at these locations:
Kenosha Campus

Some courses may need to be completed at another location. Please consult WebAdvisor for specific course offering information.