Course Offerings

Physical therapy (PT) aides support physical therapists and physical therapy assistants in tasks related to running a clinic. Physical therapy aides are important physical therapy team members, and there's a growing need for these trained professionals. Additionally, physical therapy aide and assistant jobs are projected to grow 19% by 2032, with roughly 27,500 new openings per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The training you receive during your online physical therapy aide program will help you master the skills you need to work as an in-demand physical therapy aide. This includes understanding a certified physical therapy aide's role, responsibilities and qualifications in various health care settings. Increase your knowledge by learning to define medical terminology and word elements related to physical therapy and summarize human anatomy, functional body movements and system disorders as they relate to physical therapy. By completing your physical therapy aide certification course online, you can become proficient in performing non-medical tasks in the physical therapy office, including setting up appointment rooms, preparing treatment tools and observing and documenting patient visits. During your physical therapy aide course, you also become prepared for the Physical Therapy Technician/Aide Certification (PTTC) exam offered by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) and can walk through everything you need to know to land a physical therapy aide job.

Course Objectives

Explain the role, responsibilities and qualifications of the certified physical therapy aide in various health care 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 health care settings

Differentiate between tasks appropriate for a certified physical therapy aide and other health care professionals

Outline of Instruction

The Physical Therapy Profession

Medical Terminology

Organization of the Human Body

Pathology and Its Relationship to Homeostasis

Infection Control and Safety Procedures

Body Mechanics

Pressure Injuries

Positioning and Draping Patients

Transferring Patients

Wheelchair Basics

Joint Movements and Gait

Assistive Devices

Ambulation-related Activities

The Skeletal System

The Muscular System

Treatment of the Skeletal and Muscular Systems: Exercise

Treatment of the Skeletal and Muscular Systems: Physical Agents

The Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

The Nervous System

Treatment of the Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Nervous Systems

The Remaining Organ Systems

Communication in the PT Facility

Records and Charting

Legal and Ethical Issues

Legal and Ethical Issues

Patent Administration and the Environment within the PT Facility

Your PT Aide Career: Certification and Job Search

Contact Hours

190

CEUs

1

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

None

Website

None

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course. You do not need any prior experience or training in this field. However, if you plan to sit for the AMCA Certification Exam, candidates must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Learning Supplies Needed

Hardware requirements:
This course can be taken on either a PC or a Mac.
Webcam and microphone for testing

Software requirements:
PC: Windows 8 or newer
Mac: OS 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 seven to 10 business days after enrollment:
- "Principles and Techniques of Patient Care"
- "Medical Terminology for Health Professions"

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

N/A

Requirements for Successful Completion

90% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

This course is intended for anyone interested in becoming a Certified Physical Therapy Aide.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to Training Outcomes for Employment

Related Courses

Course Contact Information

Courtney Boney
919-532-5581
[email protected]