Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included)

Physical therapy (PT) aides support physical therapists and physical therapy assistants in tasks related to the running of a clinic. PT aides are important physical therapy team members—and there's a growing need for these trained professionals. Additionally, PT aide jobs will gain 1,300 new openings by 2032.

This online physical therapy aide program will help you master the skills you need to work as an in-demand physical therapy aide. This physical therapy aide certification course prepares PT...

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9 Months / 190 Course Hrs
Open Enrollment
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George Mason University

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Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included)

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Course code: GES189

What you will learn

  • Explain the role, responsibilities, and qualifications of the certified physical therapy aide in various healthcare settings.
  • Define medical terminology and word elements related to the practice of physical therapy.
  • Summarize human anatomy, functional body movements, and system disorders as they relate to physical therapy.
  • Identify proper positioning, patient transfers, common exercises, modalities, and medical equipment.
  • Demonstrate ethical and legal behavior specific to healthcare settings.
  • Differentiate between tasks appropriate for a certified physical therapy aide and other healthcare professionals.

How you will benefit

  • Holding AMCA Physical Therapy Technician/Aide certification validates your skill set
  • Developing transferable skills increases employment opportunities at healthcare settings, including physical therapist offices, hospitals, and nursing home facilities
  • Assistance from our Externship Coordinator and access to our Externship Starter Kit.

How the course is taught

  • Self-paced, online course
  • 9 Months to complete
  • Open enrollment, begin anytime
  • 190 course hours
  1. The Physical Therapy Profession
  2. Medical Terminology
  3. Organization of the Human Body
  4. Principles of Pathology and Its Treatment
  5. Infection Control
  6. Body Mechanics
  7. Positioning and Draping Patients
  8. Transferring Patients Safely
  9. Wheelchair Basics
  10. Pressure Injuries
  11. Joint Movement and Gait
  12. Ambulation Aids
  13. Ambulation-Related Activities
  14. The Skeletal System
  15. The Muscular System
  16. Treatment of the Skeletal and Muscular Systems: Exercise
  17. Treatment of the Skeletal and Muscular Systems: Physical Agents
  18. The Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
  19. The Nervous System
  20. Treatment of the Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Nervous Systems
  21. The Remaining Organ Systems
  22. Communication in the PT Facility
  23. Records and Charting
  24. Legal and Ethical Issues
  25. Your Career Roadmap:The Job Search and Future Opportunities (Optional Lesson)

Holly Trimble

Holly Trimble earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado, a master's degree in Pediatric Physical Therapy from Boston University, a master's degree in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University. After working as a physical therapist for many years, Dr. Trimble transitioned into teaching. She has lectured on health-related topics to all age groups and has taught middle and high school science courses in both private and public school settings. She currently teaches Anatomy and Physiology for a local community college system, where she has taught for the past 15 years. Holly received the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award both of the years she was nominated and is the author of the eBook, "College Success Now!"

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course. You do not need any prior experience or training in this field.

Certification Requirements:

To sit for the AMCA Certification Exam, candidates must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
  • Webcam and microphone for certification exam testing.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

  • Principles and Techniques of Patient Care
  • Medical Terminology for Health Professions

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average physical therapy technician/aide salary is $29,200, with the highest 10% earning more than $37,920. This is especially true in high demands states like California, Texas, New York, and Georgia.

The Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi) states that the main difference between these two positions (physical therapy assistant vs. physical therapy aide) is the level of treatment provided to patients. A physical therapy aide does not directly engage in patient treatment but instead supports the physical therapist and assistant by performing clerical duties and preparing equipment, among other tasks.

On the other hand, the physical therapy assistant has a more hands-on role, helping implement patient treatment plans under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist—requiring a higher level of education and commanding a higher salary than aides.

Physical therapy aides are any support personnel who perform designated tasks related to the operation of the physical therapy service. In fact, WebPT.com states that these tasks are activities that do not require the clinical decision-making of the physical therapist or the clinical problem-solving of the physical therapist assistant.

According to the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), a physical therapy technician/aide works under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses regain movement and manage pain with tasks that are indirectly related to patient care, such as cleaning and setting up the treatment area, moving patients and performing clerical duties.

Physical therapy technicians/aides typically do the following:

  • Clean treatment areas and set up therapy equipment
  • Wash linens
  • Help patients move to or from a therapy area
  • Do clerical tasks, such as answering phones and scheduling patients
  • Gait training
  • Prepare patient transport

Yes. The course prepares students for the Physical Therapy Technician/Aide Certification (PTTC) through American Medical Certification Association AMCA.

Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country's regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive nine (9) months to complete the course.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions and provide feedback on your performance. Occasionally, your course may be supported by a team of industry experts. You will also receive support from the student advising team.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

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