Rehabilitation skills for the real world

Students in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College participate in a clinic simulation on the Coon Rapids Campus.

June 28, 2018

An article from the Summer 2018 Issue of the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Newsletter

Physical Therapist Assistant program trains students to make a lasting impact

From the classroom to the clinic, students in Anoka-Ramsey’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program train for careers that make a lasting impact on patient lives.

PTA students learn the skills they need to treat a variety of patients—from body mechanics, modalities and massage, to the treatment of injury, disease and pathological conditions. Students also study specialty areas, which include prosthetics, pediatrics, geriatrics and cardiac rehabilitation, to name a few.

“We have really high expectations of our students, and we try to incorporate simulations into the curriculum,” said Physical Therapist Assistant Instructor Lisa Lentner, who directs the program. “We also offer a supervised clinic to faculty, staff and student athletes, to give our students real experience with real patients.”

Anoka-Ramsey’s program is highly competitive, with a waitlist of students who are eager to enroll. Between 2003 and 2017, the program produced 366 graduates, and it fills to capacity every year.

“I cried when I made it into the program,” said student Hayley Turner. “It’s amazing.”

Giving the program a competitive edge, PTA faculty work with an advisory committee to stay up to date on industry trends. They are also active in the Scholars of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) initiative on campus, using research to improve teaching methods. The results of this research have already benefitted students, and students conduct research of their own.

“Evidence-based practice is something that is very important in our field,” said Lentner. “Every year, at least one of our students chooses an independent study, which often translates into undergraduate research.”

Studying at Anoka-Ramsey means access to a clinic with modern technology and assistive devices, a tight-knit group of supportive faculty and peers, and opportunities to work at off-site locations. The program attracts students who are starting out in their college career, as well as those who have tried studying Physical Therapy at a large university, only to move with the hope of finding a better fit.

“It’s crazy in the best way possible,” said Turner, “because it’s really fulfilling work. Looking ahead, I know there will be opportunities for me when I graduate.”

“I didn’t know how competitive the PTA program was until I got here,” said student Kerri Kabitz. “It’s such a good place to be, and the work is very enjoyable.”

The PTA program prepares students to take the national licensing exam, and Anoka-Ramsey students achieve high overall pass rates—between 95 and 100 percent—a success sustained for eight years in a row, since 2010.

Exciting opportunities await PTA students each year, as they attend a special Pinning Ceremony and go on to build their resumes with real, hands-on experience.

“This is just as impactful as being a Physical Therapist,” said Kabitz.