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Overview of The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Wabash Valley College
Are you interested in a rewarding career that helps people improve their mobility, function, and quality of life? Do you want to work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and provide hands-on care to patients of all ages and backgrounds? If so, you might be a perfect fit for the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Wabash Valley College.
The PTA program is a two-year associate degree program that prepares you for entry-level employment opportunities in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and sports facilities. You will learn the theory and practice of physical therapy, including anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, therapeutic exercise, modalities, and rehabilitation. You will also gain clinical experience through supervised internships at local facilities.
The PTA program serves students from a wide geographic area. Our program offers flexible scheduling options, affordable tuition rates, financial aid opportunities, and personalized academic support.
Enhanced Learning in the PTA Program
Discover unique opportunities in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program that go beyond traditional education.
Exploring Human Anatomy with Cutting-Edge Equipment
Students enrolled in our PTA program get hands-on experience not only with real human cadavers but also with our state-of-the-art Anatomage table. This revolutionary $75,000 equipment allows students to delve deep into anatomical regions, study organs and their functions, and observe various stages of the dissection process with unparalleled precision.
Interactive Learning with Laerdal Manikins
Our PTA instruction includes the utilization of Laerdal manikins, lifelike models that mimic human dimensions and characteristics. These manikins serve a range of purposes, from patient simulation and care scenarios to lessons on body mechanics and kinesiology. Our dedicated mock-hospital room is equipped with these manikins, providing a realistic learning environment.
Hands-On Skill Mastery and Testing
Prior to engaging in actual patient care, students have the opportunity to showcase their skills using the manikins in a variety of testing scenarios. This preparation ensures their readiness to provide high-quality care and confidently apply their knowledge in real-world situations.
Empowered by SimCapture Technology
Our commitment to excellence is further enhanced by SimCapture, a renowned technology trusted by leading institutions globally. SimCapture's reliability, user-friendly interface, and automation have made it the preferred choice for 500 institutions in 35 countries. It's a crucial tool for creating realistic assessment scenarios, ensuring our students are prepared for the challenges of their future careers.
Effective (August 16, 2022), Wabash Valley College Physical Therapist Assistant Program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706- 3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (618) 263-5548 or email hoipkemierl@iecc.edu. Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.)
