Rasmussen College Launches Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Tampa Bay and Minneapolis Area Campuses
Flexible, hands-on program designed to help students start their career as a physical therapist assistant in as few as 18 months
TAMPA, Fla., June 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Rasmussen College, a regionally accredited private college, today announced the launch of a Physical Therapist Assistant Associate's degree program at its Land O' Lakes/East Pasco, Fla. and Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove, Minn. campuses.1 The flexible, hands-on program is designed to help students start their career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) in as few as 18 months.2 A licensed PTA works directly with patients, under the direction of a physical therapist, which includes performing therapeutic exercises using a variety of techniques and equipment to help treat patients, educate patients and their family members, and advocate to physical therapists on their behalf. Classes are scheduled to start at both the Land O' Lakes/East Pasco and Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove campuses in January.
"The Rasmussen College PTA curriculum provides hands-on experience in both on-campus labs as well as clinical practice at a healthcare facility so students can develop the confidence and skills employers are looking for," said Dr. Christian Wright, department dean for Health Sciences at Rasmussen College. "That includes developing one-on-one skills to improve a patient's mobility and decrease pain as well as the ability to comfortably and confidently interact with physical therapists, healthcare team members and patients of all ages and stages of care."
The program is also offered with Flex Choice®, a learning option that helps students save time and money by allowing them to take self-paced assessments alongside their traditional courses.
Physical Therapist Assistants in Demand
Across the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 40 percent employment growth for physical therapist assistants by 2022 with an estimated 51,400 new jobs. Both Florida and Minnesota are currently experiencing an increasing need for skilled physical therapist assistants. According to labor analytics firm Burning Glass, there were more than 1,800 job postings for PTAs over the past year in Florida and more than 690 job postings in Minnesota.
"Increased demand across the healthcare community for physical therapist assistants is largely due to the needs of an aging population and caring for individuals with chronic conditions, like diabetes, multiple sclerosis and obesity," Wright said. "Our PTA program prepares students to work with a variety of people of differing ages and conditions in a wide range of settings, from clinics and hospitals to skilled nursing facilities and sports rehab facilities. It can be a rewarding career for those who are passionate about helping people regain their strength and mobility."
The Rasmussen College Land O' Lakes/East Pasco and Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove campuses are planning open houses for later this summer. To learn more about the Physical Therapist Assistant Associate's degree program at Rasmussen College, please visit www.rasmussen.edu/pta.
1Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone; 703-706-3245; [email protected] is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
Rasmussen College – Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist assistant education program from CAPTE. On June 1, 2016, the program submitted an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the technical phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in technical courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
Rasmussen College – Land O' Lakes/East Pasco is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist assistant education program from CAPTE. On June 1, 2016, the program submitted an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the technical phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in technical courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
2Completion time is dependent on the number of courses completed each term.
ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE:
Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private college and Public Benefit Corporation that is dedicated to changing lives through high-demand educational programs and public service. Rasmussen College offers certificate and diploma programs through associate's and bachelor's degrees online and across its 23 Midwest and Florida campuses in a supportive, student-centered and career-focused environment. Since 1900, Rasmussen College has been dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Rasmussen College is committed to helping change lives through education and making a positive impact on society through public service and a variety of community-based initiatives. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.rasmussen.edu.
Contact: Molly Andersen
Phone: 952-844-5647
Mobile: 903-920-4366
Email: [email protected]
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SOURCE Rasmussen College
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