Physical Therapist Assistant, AS

Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes

Program Mission

The mission of the NEIT Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is to prepare graduates to be effective clinicians under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist. Through a combination of classroom, laboratory and clinical education experiences, the program emphasizes hands-on application of physical therapy services to assist individuals to achieve their highest level of function.

Program Goals

STUDENTS WILL

• acquire the theoretical knowledge, applicable skills, and attitude, to meet current practice standards, necessary to function as an entry-level physical therapist assistant.
• be prepared to become competent, licensed physical therapist assistants with the minimum requirements necessary to qualify for the national licensure examination.
• develop a sense of commitment to the physical therapy profession’s core values.
• identify and develop career paths of interest.

FACULTY WILL

• maintain clinical currency in their areas of teaching.

THE PROGRAM WILL

• • provide service to the community for underserved populations.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Function as a member of the health care delivery team to optimize outcomes for patients across the lifespan.

2. Provide patient-centered treatment based on the plan of care established by the physical therapist, to minimize risk to patients/clients, self and others.

3. Employ skills in problem solving utilizing effective written and oral communication.

4. Demonstrate ethics and standards of practice while respecting the diversity of all people.

5. Display a commitment to professional development by integrating current physical therapy literature and resources.

Faculty will: each complete a minimum of one relevant continuing education course per year.

Program will: ensure each student participates in a minimum of one faculty led pro bono experience.

ACCREDITATION STATUS

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at New England Institute of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: (703) 706-3245; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (401) 739-5000 x3507 or email [email protected].

The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following:

CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.

Courses Offered

The Physical Therapy Assistant program includes an introduction to kinesiology, the foundation of physical therapy, data collection skills, and other related subjects. We also teach physical agents, lab work, pathophysiology for the physical therapist assistant, and practice issues.

Our courses cover all the important parts of anatomy and physiology. We’ve also included general education subjects such as an introduction to college writing, healthcare communications, college math, and psychology. These are all important areas of training touched upon in programs like ours.

For the latest listing of courses offered, please review our University Catalog here.

Q&A and Technical Standards

Questions & Answers

1. When do my classes meet? Day Classes: Technical classes normally meet for at least three hours a day for up to five days a week. Classes normally begin in the early morning (7:45 a.m.), late morning (usually 11:25 a.m.), or mid-afternoon. The time slot for your program may vary from term to term. In addition, to achieve your associate degree, you will take a total of approximately eight liberal arts courses, which will be scheduled around your technical schedule over the course of your entire program. Each liberal arts course meets approximately four hours per week. Liberal arts courses are offered on days, evenings, and Saturdays. At the beginning of each term, you will receive a detailed schedule giving the exact time and location of all your classes. The College requires that all students be prepared to take classes and receive services at any of NEIT’s locations where the appropriate classes and services are offered.When a regularly scheduled class falls on a day that is a NEIT observed holiday (Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and Memorial Day), an alternate class will be scheduled as a make-up for that class. The make-up class may fall on a Friday. It is the student’s responsibility to take note of when and where classes are offered.
2. How large will my classes be? The average size for a class is about 20 to 25 students; however, larger and smaller classes occur from time to time.
3. How much time will I spend in lab? Almost half of your technical courses consist of laboratory work. In order for you to get the most out of your laboratory experiences, you will first receive a thorough explanation of the theory behind your lab work.
4. Where do my classes meet? Students should be prepared to attend classes at any of NEIT’s classroom facilities: either at the Post Road, Access Road, or East Greenwich campus.
5. I have not earned my high school diploma or GED: can I enroll in an Associate Degree Program?A candidate for admission to an associate degree program must have a high school diploma, have earned a recognized equivalency diploma (GED), or meet the federal home school requirements.
6. How long should it take me to complete my program? To complete your degree requirements in the shortest possible time, you should take the courses outlined in the prescribed curriculum. For a typical six-term curriculum, a student may complete the requirements in as little as 18 months. To complete all your degree requirements in the shortest time, you should take at least one liberal arts course each term. Students who need more time to complete their curriculum may postpone some of the liberal arts courses until after the completion of the technical requirements. Students are provided up to two additional terms of study to complete the liberal arts requirements without any additional tuition assessment fee. During these additional terms of study, students are required to pay all applicable fees. Students may also elect to complete some of their liberal arts requirements during Intersession, a five-week term scheduled between Spring and Summer Quarters. Students will not be assessed any additional tuition for liberal arts courses taken during the Intersession but may be assessed applicable fees.Students wishing to extend the number of terms needed to complete the required technical courses in their curriculum will be assessed additional tuition and fees.The term “PTA student” is reserved only for those students taking PTA courses. Students may elect to take general education courses prior to starting the PTA program. Students taking general education courses only are not considered PTA students.
7. Is NEIT accredited?NEIT is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Accreditation by NECHE is recognized by the federal government and entitles NEIT to participate in federal financial aid programs. Some academic departments have specialized professional accreditations in addition to accreditation by NECHE. For more information on accreditation, see NEIT’s catalog.
8. Can I transfer the credits that I earn at NEIT to another college? The transferability of a course is always up to the institution to which the student is transferring. Students interested in the transferability of their credits should contact the Office of Teaching and Learning for further information.
9. Can I transfer credits earned at another college to NEIT? Transfer credit for appropriate courses taken at an accredited institution will be considered for admission based on the following table and upon receipt of an official transcript:
   

   Courses	Age of Courses	Grade Needed for Transfer to PTA
   EN 100 Introduction to College Writing		B or above
   EN 200 Workplace Communications (or EN 110 Healthcare Communications)		B or above
   MA 100/110 Introduction to College Math		B or above
   English/Communications Liberal Arts Courses	10 years old	C or above
   Math Course	3 years old	C or above
   Biology Course	3 years old	C or above
   Science Course	3 years old	C or above
   Major Courses	3 years old	C or above

   The Office of Teaching and Learning maintains the prerogative to waive these requirements based upon individual review.

   An official transcript from the other institution must be received before the end of the first week of the term for transfer credit to be granted for courses to be taken during that term. Students will receive a tuition reduction for the approved major courses based on the program rate and will be applied against the final major term of the curriculum’s tuition amount. No tuition credit is provided for courses that are not a part of the major curriculum. If the student has a degree from another institution, every opportunity will be reviewed to give the student as many transfer credits as possible for liberal arts courses (math, science, English, humanities, and social sciences) regardless of the age of the degree. Courses in the major will be reviewed individually for relevancy.

10. What is the “Feinstein Enriching America” Program? New England Institute of Technology is the proud recipient of a grant from the Feinstein Foundation. To satisfy the terms of the grant, the College has developed a one-credit community enrichment course that includes hands-on community enrichment projects. The course can be taken for a few hours per term, spread over several terms. Students who are already engaged in community enrichment on their own may be able to count that service towards course credit.
11. How many credits do I need to acquire my Financial Aid? In order to be eligible for the maximum financial aid award, you need to maintain at least 12 credits per academic term.
12. What does my program cost? The cost of your program will be as outlined in your enrollment agreement, along with your cost for books and other course materials. Students who decide to take more terms than the enrollment agreement describes to complete the technical courses in their curriculum will be subject to additional fees and possible additional tuition costs. Students who elect to take the technical portion of the degree requirements at a rate faster than the rate prescribed in the curriculum and the enrollment agreement will be assessed additional tuition. Students who require prerequisite courses will incur additional tuition and fees above those outlined in their enrollment agreement. If a student elects to take a course(s) outside of the prescribed curriculum, additional tuition and fees will be assessed.Remember, students who withdraw and re-enter, one time only, pay the tuition rate that was in effect for them at the time of their last day of attendance for up to one year from their last day of attendance. Second re-entries and beyond pay the tuition rate in effect at the time they re-enter. The most economical way for you to complete your college degree is to begin your program now and continue your studies straight through for the six terms necessary to complete your degree requirements.
13. What kind of employment assistance does NEIT offer? The Career Services Office assists NEIT students and graduates in all aspects of the job search, including resume writing, interviewing skills, and developing a job search strategy. Upon completion of their programs, graduates may submit a resume to the Career Services Office to be circulated to employers for employment opportunities in their fields. Employers regularly contact us about our graduates. In addition, our Career Services Office contacts employers to develop job leads. A strong relationship with employers exists as a result of our training students to meet the needs of industry for over fifty years. No school can, and NEIT does not guarantee its graduates’ employment or a specific starting salary.
14. Where will job opportunities exist? Graduates have obtained employment in the local area. However, one of the most exciting aspects of this program is the ability to look nationally for employment opportunities.
15. Must I be licensed to practice as a PTA in Rhode Island? Yes. To be employed as a PTA in RI, an individual must be a graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam
16. Will this program prepare me for the national licensure exam? Yes. Upon successful completion of the entire course of study, you will be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs administered by the Federation of State Boards for Physical Therapy (FSBPT). An individual must pass this examination to be eligible for state licensure and to be a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. This exam is scheduled throughout the year.
17. Does this program have a dress code? Appropriate attire will be required during your clinical education experiences. Specific dress codes will be provided to you prior to the clinical education experience. It is understood that in a professional work environment, clothing must adhere to the standards of the profession and be practical to allow the individual to carry on his/her job responsibilities.
18. What is a Physical Therapist Assistant? A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is an integral member of the health care delivery team who provides direct patient care under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The PTA works with individuals of all ages to prevent disability and promote positive health. Recipients of Physical Therapist (PT) services may be individuals of all ages who have medical or health-related problems that impede their ability to move and to carry out functional activities in their daily lives.
19. What does a Physical Therapist Assistant do? The physical therapist assistant works under the direction of a licensed physical therapist. They provide services to improve strength, flexibility, relieve pain, promote fitness, and quality of life of people suffering from injuries or disease. Physical therapist assistants perform a wide variety of tasks involving exercise, massage, electrical stimulation, heat/cold treatment, ultrasound, traction, and hydrotherapy. They provide training to improve ambulation, body mechanics, posture, and athletic performance.
20. Who employs Physical Therapist Assistants? PTAs serve a diverse population in a variety of settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health care agencies, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, schools, private practices, sports facilities, industrial medicine centers, and fitness clinics.
21. What type of tasks are done by a Physical Therapist Assistant? Physical Therapist Assistants:
    • assist with data collection of a client/patient referred for services, under the direction and supervision of the Physical Therapist (PT),
    • perform selected interventions from the plan of care developed by the PT under the direction and supervision of the PT,
    • provide direct service that follows a documented routine and accepted procedure under the direction and supervision of the PT. Examples include teaching patients/clients exercise 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,
    • communicate and interact with other team members and the individual’s family or caregivers in collaboration with the PT,
    • maintain treatment area, equipment, and supply inventory as required, and
    • maintain records and documentation required by the work setting under the direction and supervision of the PT.
22. Will I actually have the opportunity to practice these skills in a real professional environment while still in school? Yes. The PTA Program will provide you with a treatment laboratory. During course work and laboratory training, you will have the opportunity to practice skills used by the PTA in treatment settings. Level I and Level II Clinical Education will require students to actually go to facilities that provide physical therapy services. You will have the opportunity to experience the duties which you will someday perform for a job.
23. How much time will I spend in practice settings while still in school? Clinical Education training is provided in two parts during your academic program. Level I Clinical Education takes place during the third and fourth academic terms. The primary goal in Level I Clinical Education is to observe and practice physical therapy skills. The course requires that you attend an off-campus facility, selected by the university. Level II Clinical Education takes place during the fifth and sixth terms, upon successful completion of all of your other course work The Level II Clinical Education training is split into two courses, representing training at two different facilities. Each Clinical Education course runs for 6-8 weeks, full time. The Clinical Education coordinator will assist you in selecting the training site. A Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant will be assigned as your Clinical Education supervisor. Each Level II Clinical Education training course offers you direct “hands-on” training, thus allowing you to apply classroom knowledge to an actual treatment or clinical environment. Clinical Education training is provided off-campus in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, school districts, and outpatient clinics, and a variety of community-based settings.
24. If I am unable to complete the entire sequence of Level II Clinical Education Training, full-time, as outlined in the curriculum, will there be alternative options available to me? Yes. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) allows for Level II Clinical Education training to be completed within a reasonable period of time, following completion of academic classroom preparation. Students unable to complete a Level II Clinical Education training due to illness, or other unforeseen problems, will be given the opportunity to extend the time necessary to complete the Clinical Education training provided it is completed within an 18-month timeframe adopted by the NEIT PTA program.
25. What is the current job market for a PTA graduate? The core PTA curriculum for the PTA program prepares its graduates to explore multiple employment opportunities including, but not limited to:
    • Hospitals
    • Outpatient clinics or offices
    • Rehabilitation facilities
    • Skilled nursing, extended care facilities, or hospices
    • Home care
    • Educational programs (colleges)
    • Schools and playgrounds
    • Corporate or industrial health centers
    • Athletic facilities and fitness/sports training centers
    • Adaptive equipment sales/fabrication

     

    In addition, graduates are prepared to pursue advanced degrees in a variety of health careers. Please be aware that the transferability of courses is always up to the institution to which the student is transferring. In general, the PTA program is not a stepping stone to a PT program. PTA courses don’t meet the graduate degree requirements of PT courses as they are undergraduate-level classes. Furthermore, a PTA program does not have enough time to complete the prerequisite courses required by PT programs.

26. Is licensure required to practice as a physical therapist assistant? After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are based on the results of the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards for Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Rhode Island requires a license to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
27. Where do I go for the Level I and Level II Clinical Education Training? Will those sites be provided for me or must I find a site on my own? The university has developed affiliation agreements with physical therapy practitioners and facilities within Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Sites will be assigned as available to complete your Level I and Level II Clinical Education training. Students are welcome to recommend a potential training site of interest and the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education will make every effort to obtain a Clinical Education contract. Students will be encouraged to be active participants in the selection of their clinical education training.
28. Do I need to maintain a certain grade point average? Yes. You are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.33 throughout the program. For all academic terms, a grade of C+ or better must be attained in all PTA, BIO, and AHS courses and a grade of C (73%) or better is required for all other courses in order to advance to the next term or to graduate. (This is a summary of the PTA Grading Policy. See the PTA Student Manual for the entire policy.)
29. Are there any additional costs/activities associated with this program? Besides uniforms and textbooks, the student will be required to have a complete physical exam, immunizations, and other testing. Personal negligence and malpractice insurance are also required by affiliating facilities where internships are scheduled. A course in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is required some time before the 3rd academic term through the American Heart Association (CPR -C, Healthcare Provider Course). All students are required to obtain three doses of Hepatitis Vaccine and a positive titer before participating in clinical placement. An opportunity for obtaining these shots on campus, at no additional cost, will be made available to students through Physical Health and Rehabilitation, Inc. There is a fee for the National Physical Therapy Examination (approximately $450.00). All costs associated with travel for Clinical Education Training are the sole responsibility of the student
30. Are there any behavior standards for this program? PTA students are expected to exhibit professional behavior. This will be assessed on a continual basis and will encompass not only grades but also adherence to classroom protocol, laboratory and clinic safety, attendance, participation and preparedness for class, appearance, and ability to work as a team member. The development of professional values and attitudes is inherent in the curriculum, and students will be expected to exhibit such behavior to assure placement in Clinical Education sites.
31. Do I need to have a Criminal Background check? All PTA students are required to have a criminal background check. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requires all healthcare facilities which they accredit to perform criminal background checks on students. Prior to entering clinical affiliation, students will be required to undergo a criminal background check. In addition to the criminal background check required by JACHO, some clinical sites may also require a national criminal background check. It will be necessary for students to sign a Consent and Disclaimer permitting NEIT to perform a criminal background check and a Release and Authorization permitting NEIT to disclose the results of the criminal background check to a clinical site where the student is being considered for placement. Students have an obligation to self-disclose to the Department Chair any criminal convictions or pending criminal federal, state, or local charges which occur after a criminal background check has been performed. When they do, the student must undergo an updated background check. If a background check reveals any criminal convictions, the student may be disqualified from a clinical placement or employment in the field. When a student is declined a placement by a site as a result of a positive background check, another attempt will be made to place a student in a clinical site. If a background check reveals any criminal convictions, the student may be disqualified from a clinical placement or employment in the field. Further, students convicted of a felony will need to comply with state licensure requirements for The Rhode Island Department of Health. Students assume the cost for all background checks. Some facilities may also require a drug screen prior to accepting a student for Clinical placement. NEIT makes no guarantee that once a student is matriculated, the student will be able to attend any clinical affiliation training setting, sit for the national certification, or gain licensure if the student has a prior criminal conviction. This is the student’s responsibility to discover what they must do to manage a positive criminal background investigation.

Technical Standards

In addition to the acquisition of the appropriate knowledge in the sciences and humanities, the faculty of the New England Institute of Technology Physical Therapist Assistant Program have determined that the essential requirements for the successful completion of an Associate Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant require that the student possess and be able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Cognitive Abilities

Frequency*                                     Ability

Frequency Key: O = Occasionally (1-33%); F = Frequently (34-66%); C = Constantly (67-100%)

C          To process, synthesize, organize and learn new material.

C          To plan a variety of activities.

C          To obtain information for processing through primary senses.

C          To problem-solve independently.

F          To utilize basic math concepts for measurement and construction tasks.

C          To imitate or mimic role modeling.

C          To follow written or verbal instructions.

Communications Skills

Frequency*                                     Ability

Frequency Key: O = Occasionally (1-33%); F = Frequently (34-66%); C = Constantly (67-100%)

F          To communicate effectively with faculty, patients, staff and other professionals.

F          To orally report data and observations.

F          To read English sufficiently to understand and comprehend college-level textbooks, written protocols, documentation in patient’s chart, information necessary for documentation, evaluation, and package directions.

F          To write English sufficiently to record legibly, course assignments and provide documentation for patient’s chart.

F          To express thoughts clearly.

Adaptive Skills

Frequency*                                     Ability

Frequency Key: O = Occasionally (1-33%); F = Frequently (34-66%); C = Constantly (67-100%)

C          To adjust to a variety of individuals and their distinct needs.

C          To maintain a professional attitude during all work performance.

F          To adjust to changes in scheduling and flexibility to meet department or facility needs.

C          To respect the integrity of all human beings and the right for all individuals to receive appropriate treatment.

F          To identify one’s own strengths and weaknesses and to request assistance when needed.

C          To maintain emotional stability and the maturity necessary to interact with other members of the faculty, students, and professionals in a responsible manner.

Physical Abilities

Frequency*                                     Ability

Frequency Key: O = Occasionally (1-33%); F = Frequently (34-66%); C = Constantly (67-100%)

F          To lift to carry or maneuver equipment weighing up to 60 lbs.

O         To transfer or maneuver individuals weighing up to 200 lbs.

F          To transfer patients to heights of up to 19 inches by lifting.

F          To lift sufficiently to assist patients with mobility.

O         To stoop to adjust equipment, work with wheelchair adjustments, perform household training, and pediatric service intervention.

O         To kneel to assist patients who may fall or to work in pediatrics.

O         To crouch to adjust equipment, wheelchairs, and ADL to reach into supply cabinets.

F          To crawl to provide pediatric treatments and work on mat activities.

F          To reach to obtain items overhead.

F          To reach to use adaptive equipment for training and physical skills training for ROM and ADL function.

C          To be mobile within the work facility.

C          To move from sitting to standing, walking, and weight shifting to assist in the maintenance of a patient’s posture or position for treatment intervention.

Manual Abilities

Frequency*                                     Ability

Frequency Key: O = Occasionally (1-33%); F = Frequently (34-66%); C = Constantly (67-100%)

C          To manipulate fine motor tasks for testing and treatment; modalities.

F          To locate and palpate the correct anatomical location for treatment.

F          To assess changes in muscle tone

C          To use assistive technology, computer, typing, writing for documentation.

C          Gross motor skills sufficient to guide patients in physical skills development to manage patients during transport, transfer training, bedside treatment and some ADL tasks.

F          Sufficient manual dexterity and mobility to move wheelchairs, stools, mirrors, other equipment independently for treatment and evaluative purposes.

C          Sufficient motor function and sensory abilities to participate effectively in the classroom laboratory and clinical setting.

Sensory Abilities

Frequency*                                     Ability

Frequency Key: O = Occasionally (1-33%); F = Frequently (34-66%); C = Constantly (67-100%)

Visual

C          To observe patients during treatment.

C          To use modalities safely.

C          Acute enough to read small printed labels on medications

Auditory

C          To receive verbal directions in English.

C          Acute enough to hear and understand words spoken by staff and patients.

Tactile

F          To identify hot and cold.

Outcomes and Student Outcomes

As of February 2024, PTA students who graduated 2022-2023 include a national license exam ultimate pass rate of 84.4%, 1st-time pass rate of 75.5%, graduation rate of 72.3%, and of those who sought employment, 100% reported they were employed as PTA within one-year of graduation.