ACM Logo

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Restore Ability. Build Relationships. Change Lives.
Are you interested in helping others gain or regain function, decrease pain, and improve quality of life? Do you find the science of the human body and fitness/wellness intriguing? Would you like a career that offers lifelong learning in a team approach with a variety of patient populations and settings? If so, a career as a PTA may be right for you.
Questions?
PTA Administrative Associate
301-784-5538
Location: ALLIED HEALTH (AH) 234
What will you learn?
  • How the body moves and functions and the healing process. 
  • How to help others gain or regain strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and functional mobility.
  • How to use technology to continually learn and advance in your field.
  • How to incorporate all aspects of health and wellness. 
What will you do?
  • Help others manage pain, and promote healing and recovery by utilizing:
    • modalities such as electrotherapy, ultrasound, hydro/aquatic therapy, thermotherapy, etc.
    • interventions such as soft tissue massage and other mobilization techniques.
    • interventions to optimize skin, tissue, and joint integrity.
  • Motivate others to build strength & endurance, optimize balance & coordination, enhance motion, and restore function after injury or illness which includes utilizing:
    • tests and measurements that promote evidenced based practice.
    • exercises and manual techniques that train the neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, and vestibular systems.
    • gait analyses and training to promote optimal mobility.
  • Educate others on overall health, wellness, and injury prevention.

Why ACM?

Discover what others are saying about ACM's Physical Therapist Assistant program – click an image below.


Program Details

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide patient care and treatment under the supervision of a physical therapist (PT). The PTA works closely with the PT to carry out the plan of care which is created by the PT. The PTA collects and reports various tests and measurements and carries out interventions that improve an individual’s overall physical performance and wellness by managing pain, increasing strength, re-educating neuromuscular activity, and improving endurance, balance, and coordination. These interventions may include the use of various physical agents to help heal tissue, manage pain, and re-educate muscle performance. 

A PTA will also utilize therapeutic techniques, manual techniques, and specialized rehabilitative equipment to enhance another individual’s overall functional mobility, wellness, and quality of life after injury or illness.  This functional mobility may include home, work, school, and/or sport specific activities. Some examples include educating and training an individual on muscular and postural imbalances, endurance techniques, airway clearance activities, transitional and transfer techniques, joint protection, and safe and efficient ambulation. The PTA will work with all ages in a variety of settings (i.e., hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, schools, home health, private practice, out-patient clinics, sports medicine facilities, emergency care centers, hospice, physician offices, traveling agencies, etc.) Overall health and wellness and education on injury prevention are also integral components in our curriculum.   

Our PTA program is considered a 1+1 model. In this model, the General Education Courses (Phase I) are completed prior to the PTA Clinical Courses (Phase II). This 1+1 model offers flexibility for students wishing to complete the General Education Courses over a short or long period of time. It is also an excellent option for students who hold another degree in related fields such as athletic training or exercise science/physiology and wish to work as a PTA.

For more detailed information, view the PTA Program booklet below.


Discover more...

Accreditation
Our Physical Therapist Assistant program at Allegany College of Maryland is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 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 301-784-5538 or email jandres@allegany.edu.



Admissions Criteria

Program Goals & Learning Outcomes
Program Goals
  • The graduate will:
    • apply fundamental knowledge of ethical, legal, and professional values and responsibilities associated with the practice of Physical Therapy as described by the American Physical Therapy Association.
    • demonstrate competence and safety with patient/client care that is expected of an entry-level clinician in a variety of settings in the contemporary field of physical therapy.
    • work effectively in a healthcare team environment by consistently demonstrating knowledge, skill, and behaviors associated with collaborative care and practice management.
Learning Outcomes
  • The student will acquire specific skills in:
    • Ethics, Values, & Responsibilities
    • Patient/Client Management
    • Plan of Care
    • Intervention
    • Test and Measures
    • Participation in Health Care Environment
    • Practice Management

*See Educational Objectives for more details.

 


Ultimate Pass Rate on Licensure Exam

Year Sat for Board Exam Passed Board Exam ACM Pass Rate
2022 9 8 88%
2023 3 3 100%
2-Year Average 12 11 92%

 


 Employment (within one year after graduation)

Year Seeking Employment Found Employment Employment Rate
2022 8 8 100%
2023 3 3 100%
2-Year Average 11 11 100%

*See PTA Student Outcomes for more details


Meet the Faculty

Our experienced, knowledgeable faculty and staff are excited to share their expertise with you and prepare you to succeed in the diverse, dynamic field as a physical therapist assistant. 

Jeremy Oldham 
joldham@allegany.edu
Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator

301-784-5537
Allied Health 234B

A.A.S., Allegany College of Maryland
B.S., The Pennsylvania State University
M.Ed, Frostburg State University

PTA

Jamie Andres 
jandres@allegany.edu
Administrative Associate

301-784-5538
Allied Health 234

A.A., Allegany College of Maryland

Emily Gombita 
esimpson@allegany.edu
Lab Assistant

301-784-5535
Allied Health 234

A.A.S., Allegany College of Maryland

PTA

Melody Kentrus 
mkentrus@allegany.edu
Associate Professor

301-784-5535
Allied Health 234A

B.S. Frostburg State University
D.P.T. Shenandoah University

PT, DPT

×
Content
Search for a program or interest


#BestDecisionEver