Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools and sports facilities. PTAs may also measure changes in the patient's performance as a result of the physical therapy, along with providing selected standardized tests per the PTs request.

Care provided by a PTA may include teaching patients/clients exercises for mobility, strength and coordination, training for activities such as walking with crutches, canes or walkers, massage, and the use of physical agents and electrotherapy such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation. See the American Physical Therapy Association website.

The American Physical Therapy Association reports that the federal government has forecasted very good job prospects for PTAs and an unemployment rate of less than 3.9 percent. In 2016, the Health Collaborative (formerly the GCHC) quoted a vacancy rate of just 4-5 percent among local major hospitals.

Projections by JobsEQ®, a product of Chmura Economics & Analytics, predict a 2.2 percent annual increased need for new PTA's over the next five years within the Greater Cincinnati tri-state area. The projections are a 37 percent increase in the need for new PTA positions in Ohio in order to replace those workers in the attrition stage and to grow over the next 10 years.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to grow much faster than average because of increasing demand for physical therapy services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics site displays a 32-percent increase in PTA demand from 2020-2030, with 14,700 annual openings per year.

For details on program graduation rates, employment rates, examination passing rates and other outcome statistics, visit the Program Outcomes page.

• Complete Common Application
• Pay $100 non-refundable fee
• Submit official School transcripts
• Submit official test scores
• Submit letter of recommendation (optional)