Program Description
The Physical Therapy Tech/Aide works under the close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant to perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area. They can work in a variety of settings including long-term care facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and home/community-based settings.
Program Outcomes
Successful Completion:
CCBC Credential: Students will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript). Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Training Certificate. This career does not currently have a certification exam.
Financial Aid and Payment Options
- Continuing Education Opportunity Grant
- Partial Payment Option (through Nelnet Business Solutions)
- Tuition Waiver for Senior Citizens and Individuals with Disabilities
- Employer/Sponsor Paid Tuition
- Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
- Local Office of Workforce Development
Program Length
12-20 weeks
Program Requirements
High School Diploma or GED. All students must be computer literate and have Internet access.
Students must have the following paperwork turned in to the coordinator PRIOR to first class:
- Negative PPD (six months) or negative chest x-ray less than one year old
- Positive titer or proof of vaccination/immunity for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella
- Current Flu vaccination
- Hepatitis B vaccination or declination form
- Tetanus shot (less than ten years)
- Copy of health insurance card
- Copy of high school diploma or GED
- Clinical eligibility is in part dependent upon a criminal background check and random urine drug testing. Cost of testing is the responsibility of the student. Go to http://precheck.com/ for more information.
Application Process
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
Program Course Sequence
HIPAA Training, CPR and First Aid classes REQUIRE 100% attendance. Students arriving late to class will not be admitted. Late arrival to, or early exit from, class will also result in a failing grade and no refund. Students will then be required to retake the class at their expense.
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Course Number
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Course Title
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Course Hours
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Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
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Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)
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Prerequisites:
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AHE 534
or
AHE124
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Medical Terminology for Health Occupations
Medical Terminology Online
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30
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$329
T-$147/F-$182
$339
T-$147/F-$192
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Medical Terminology – A Short Course in Medical Terminology 3rd edition. Publisher Wolters Kluwer. Author C. Edward Collins. ISBN 978-1-4511-7606-3
$67.75
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AHC 360
or
AHL 719
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HIPAA Training
Or
HIPAA Training Online
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4
|
$89
T-$21/F-$68
Or
$109
T-$21/F-$88
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Handouts online
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AHE 805
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CPR for Health Care Providers
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7
|
$109
T-$52/F-$57
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Included in courses cost
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Prerequisite Totals:
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41
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$527-$557
T-$220
F-$307-$337
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$67.75
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Course Series:
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AHL 912
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Becoming a Physical Therapy AIDE
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24
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$149
T-$28/F-$121
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Handouts online
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AHL 809
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Physical Therapy AIDE/TECH Clinical
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40
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$249
T-$22/F-$227
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None
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Course Series Totals:
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64
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$398
T-$50/F-$348
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$0
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Course Series and Prerequisite Totals:
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105
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$925 - $955
T-$270
F-$655-$685
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$67.75
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Additional Information
Course Substitutions:
Medical Terminology AHE 534 can be substituted with: OFAD 141 or ALHL 115 or AHL 717
HIPAA AHC 360 can be substituted with: AHL 719 or AHC 356
Additional Expenses:
The cost of all medical testing, background check, drug screening, uniforms, is paid by the students. An estimate of these costs is $600.
Skills for Success:
Please see Technical Standards at the end of this document.
Career Opportunities:
This is an entry level career in a physical therapy practice, rehabilitation facility, or physical/occupational therapy department in a hospital. Further education provides the opportunity for promotion within the field.
Program Contact Information
Program Coordinator:
Shauna Bullard
sbullard@ccbcmd.edu
443-840-1180
Essex, HTEC 001
Administrative Assistant:
Maria Buttion
mbuttion@ccbcmd.edu
443-840-1866
Essex, HTEC 005
Technical Standards
Technical Standards for CCBC’S Physical Therapy Aide/Tech Training Series
The primary goal of The Community College of Baltimore County’s Physical Therapy Aide/Tech Training Series is to adequately prepare students for an entry-level position as a physical therapy tech in a physical therapy practice or hospital.
The duties of a PT Aide/Tech require the ability to assist in the lifting of patients or setting up supplies and equipment for PT sessions. PT Aides/Techs need to exercise safe practices while exposed to unpleasant sights, odors, materials, and communicable diseases. Their duties also require them to be detail-oriented and work accurately and quickly. A high level of manual dexterity, psychomotor skills, and integrity are vital.
Following is a partial listing of the types of skills typically required for adequate job performance:
Physical Requirements:
- Sufficient strength and mobility to:
- Work quickly to meet deadlines and/or production requirements
- Lift 50 pounds
- Move equipment that is sometimes awkward or heavy
- Fine motor coordination sufficient to perform precise tasks such as:
- Handle delicate instruments with precision
- Handle instruments and equipment that may be costly to replace if damaged
- Quickly and precisely adjust controls on equipment
- Clean and assemble PT equipment
- Adequate vision to:
- Read and interpret written directions from PT or PT Assistant
- Read instruction sheets and computer screen
Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:
- Have the ability to:
- Work in a professional manner under sometimes stressful situations
- Pay close attention to detail and recordkeeping
- Commitment to learning and understanding new technologies, instrumentation and procedures
- Commitment to following approved standards, guidelines, policies and procedures
- Interact in a professional manner with many personalities and attitudes and with people from many different backgrounds
- Respect and protect patient rights and confidentiality without regard to personal beliefs and judgments
- Maintain proper certifications required to perform the duties of the profession
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to remain current in the profession,
- Maintain a conscience/professional morality in the application of infection control techniques
- Willingness to precept (train) others
- Sufficient communication skills to:
- Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions
- Carry out all written and verbal instructions
- Follow proper channels of communication
- Communicate in a calm and professional manner
- Communicate clearly and effectively with any team members regarding issues that may be difficult to address (i.e. problem with machinery that could affect sterilization; admission of own errors, etc.)
Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability To:
- Exercise independent judgment to properly perform tasks at hand
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to perform the task at hand
- Perform duties while exposed to communicable diseases and unpleasant sights, odors, and materials
- Accept feedback from others
Environment Requirements:
- This profession involves risks and/or discomforts that require special safety precautions including, but not limited to:
- Working in an environment that has a minimal risk of exposure to potentially hazardous materials, such as cleaning agents and chemicals and blood-borne pathogens
- Providing proof of recent immunizations against infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella
- Receiving Hepatitis B vaccine and annual testing for exposure to tuberculosis
- Submitting to periodic drug screening
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