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. This career does not currently have a certification exam.
Program Outcomes
Successful Completion:
CCBC Credential: Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Training Certificate, and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).
Financial Aid and Payment Options
Baltimore County College Promise
Maryland Promise
Continuing Education Opportunity Grant
Partial Payment Option (through Nelnet Business Solutions)
Tuition Waiver for those who qualify
Employer/Sponsor Paid Tuition
Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
Local Office of Workforce Development
Students may apply for a career training scholarship through Central Scholarship (http://www.central-scholarship.org/)
Program Length
12- 16 weeks
Program Requirements
Computer literate; Internet access
Recommended: A High School Diploma or GED is not required for program entry, but may be required for employment.
Prior Learning Assessment
This program has potential options for waiving select courses based on previous coursework or articulated coursework from an approved curriculum. A maximum of 37 program hours may be earned from prior learning.
Application Process
To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application. Then, send an email to CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for information about upcoming course options.
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
Program Course Sequence
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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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-$99/F-$230
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Programmed Learning Approach to Medical Terminology, Third Edition Price is approximately $87.95
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AHE 805
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CPR for Health Care Providers
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7
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$109
T-$33/F-$76
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Included in courses cost
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| AHL 912 |
Becoming a Physical Therapy AIDE |
24 |
$149
T-$45/F-$104
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Handouts online |
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Program Series Totals:
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101
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$587
T-$177/F-$410
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$87.95*
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Additional Information
Course Substitutions:
Medical Terminology AHE 534 can be substituted with: OFAD/MDAS 141 or ALHL 115 or AHL 717 or AHE 124
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.
Career Coach
Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at: https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA . Explore career and training opportunities at: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.
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:
A. 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
B. 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
C. Adequate vision to:
- Read and interpret written directions from PT or PT Assistant
- Read instruction sheets and computer screen
Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:
A. 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
B. 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
