The Physical Therapist Assistant Program prepares students to perform physical therapy treatments under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. They also instruct patients to ambulate with devices such as crutches or artificial limbs.
Therapeutic modalities used by PTAs include heat, cold, ultrasound, electricity, and massage.
The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners licenses Physical Therapist Assistants after successful completion of a national examination. Physical Therapist Assistants are employed in health care settings that offer physical therapy services. Facilities that utilize PTAs include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, home health, school districts, and long term care residential facilities. Opportunities are also available through traveling physical therapy services. The Program at Del Mar College has received Candidate for Accreditation Status by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education that is part of the American Physical Therapy Association.