General Program Description
Carrington College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares students to function as entry-level practitioners under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. The mission of the Carrington College Physical Therapist Assistant program is to graduate well educated, ethical, professional and caring Physical Therapist Assistants who will provide physical therapy services under the direct supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. The program will emphasize educating Physical Therapist Assistants who, upon graduation: 1. Demonstrate knowledge and integrity in all interactions with patients/clients, family members/care takers, physical therapists and other health care providers. 2. Are committed to quality care and high ethical standards in all cultural environments. 3. Are involved in advancing the field of Physical Therapy via professional association and community involvement. The program is divided into two phases: a general education phase and a technical phase. The general education phase consists of 30 credit hours of general education coursework. These courses are English, Math, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Physics, Sociology, Psychology, Communications, and Kinesiology. The technical phase consists of 44 credit hours of physical therapist assistant courses. The technical phase courses are directly related to the practice and procedures of the physical therapy profession. The courses are designed to meet the minimum required skills of Physical Therapist Assistant graduates at entry level as established by the American Physical Therapy Association Referenced:
Clinical Experiences
Clinical Experiences Carrington College provides three clinical education experiences: a two-week course, a seven-week course, and an eight-week course for a total of 690 clinical hours. The clinical education phase occurs during the fourth and fifth semesters of the PTA program. The purpose of the clinical experience is to allow students to apply knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom and lab to a hands-on patient situation. The clinical education courses are designed to provide students learning experiences with patients, promote coordination with other health care providers, and development of time management. Each student will be supervised on-site by a licensed physical therapist at a facility affiliated with Carrington College. Clinical affiliations are available in the Phoenix Metropolitan area and throughout the state of Arizona; however, a student may request a clinical site in other states where the Carrington College PTA program is offered. Enrollment
Enrollment
The PTA program accepts 30 students per class. The program currently has one class start per year. Prospective students are encouraged to contact Enrollment Services at www.carrington.edu or by calling 1-877-206-2106.
Admission
Program requirements include a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18 years old by the start of core courses, pass the Wonderlic General Assessment of Instructional Needs (GAIN) test with a minimum score of 4 on both the English and Math components, and hold a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR for the health care provider card. Proof of current immunizations is required as follows: Current MMR and Varicella Zoster or titers showing immunity, negative TB (tuberculosis) test results (If test results are more than 12 months old, they must be from a two-step test. If applicants have a history of a positive TB test, a chest X-ray is required.), and provide proof of a current Hepatitis B vaccination or signed declination. Prior to clinical rotations, students will be required to submit to drug screening and background checks, the results of which could affect eligibility to participate in clinical rotations.
Outcomes
Carrington College PTA program outcomes are available at http://carrington.edu/degrees/physical-therapist-assistant/.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
There is no application fee. A $100 registration fee is due upon notification of acceptance. Campus-based applicants may cancel their enrollment without penalty at any time prior to midnight of the seventh calendar day (excluding institutionally recognized holidays) after the start of their first scheduled class session. Carrington College applicants are encouraged to meet with a Financial Aid Office representative prior to enrollment so that eligibility for financial assistance may be determined. Carrington is an eligible institution approved by the Department of Education to participate in the following programs: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Stafford Student Loan, and Federal Parental Loan for Undergraduate Students (FPLUS) and Federal Work Study Program (campus participation varies).