In the physical therapy assistant schools in Florida, students are trained to become professionals in this field.
According to the United State Bureau of Labour Statistics, the overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow by 32 per cent from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
There are about 23,800 openings for physical therapist assistants and aids are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or have finally decided to exit the labour force.
In addition, more physical therapist assistants and aides will continually be needed to help patients maintain their mobility and manage the effects of chronic conditions, such as the likes of diabetes and obesity.
Moreover, since medical and technological developments have advanced, the number of trauma victims and newborns with such things as birth defects will be reduced.
All these and more result in an increased demand for therapy and rehabilitative services.
Read on to see the physical therapy assistant schools in Florida.
Important Qualities of a Physical Therapist Assistant
While you attend any of the physical therapy assistant schools in Florida of your choice, you must cultivate the following qualities:
- Compassion
- Detail-oriented
- Dexterity
- Interpersonal skills
- Physical stamina
Compassion: Physical therapy assistants must be passionate about helping people who are in pain.
Detail-oriented: Physical therapy assistants must be organized and must be good at keeping records. Most importantly, they must know how to follow written and verbal instructions carefully.
Dexterity: Physical therapist assistants are usually comfortable working with their hands to provide manual therapy and exercises.
Interpersonal skills: They love interacting with their patients. As someone interested in becoming a physical therapist assistant, then you must be courteous and friendly.
Physical stamina: Due to fact that they are always on their feet, physical therapists must be strong enough to kneel, stoop, bend, and stand for long periods.
The List of Physical Therapy Assistant Schools in Florida
- Broward College
- College of Central Florida
- Concorde Career Institute – Jacksonville
- Concorde Career Institute – Miramar
- Daytona State College
- Eastern Florida State College
- Florida Gateway College
- Florida National University
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Gulf Coast State College
- Herzing University
- Hodges University
- Indian River State College
- Keiser University – Ft. Lauderdale
- Keiser University – Jacksonville
- Keiser University – Lakeland
- Keiser University – Melbourne
- Keiser University – Miami
- Keiser University – Sarasota
- Keiser University – West Palm Beach
- Miami Dade College
- Pensacola State College
- Polk State College
- SABER College
- Santa Fe College
- Seminole State College of Florida
- South University – Tampa
- South University – West Palm Beach
- St. Petersburg College
- State College of Florida
- Taylor College
- The Praxis Institute
- Rasmussen College – Land O’Lakes
Broward College
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Broward College and its Florida SouthWestern State College expansion site is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Health Sciences Building 41
1000 Coconut Creek Boulevard
Coconut Creek, FL 33066-1615
Program Manager:
Elizabeth Ordonez-Agramonte, PT, DPT
(954) 201-2094
Website
College of Central Florida
At the College of Central Florida, the Physical Therapist Assistant program is a limited-access program and the program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, CAPTE.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
3001 SW College Road
Ocala, FL 34474-4415
Program Director:
Lisa Joranlien, PT, DPT
Program Manager
(352) 854-2322
Website
Concorde Career Institute – Jacksonville
Their Physical Therapy Assistant associate degree program helps prepare students with hands-on training and externship.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
7259 Salisbury Road
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Program Director
Lori Hurtak, PT, MS
Program Director
(904) 725-0525
Website
Concorde Career Institute – Miramar
This is one of the physical therapy assistant schools in Florida that offer associate and diploma programs are designed to prepare you for a career in your chosen field, possibly in as few as eight months.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
10933 Marks Way
Miramar, FL 33025
Program Director
Veronica Nieto, PTA, MEd
Program Director
(954) 731-8880
Program Details
Daytona State College
This is one of the physical therapy assistant schools in Florida where the PTA Program admits students once per year during the Spring semester.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
1200 International Speedway
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-2817
Program Director:
Robert C. Wagner, PT, DPT, OCS
Assistant Chair
(386) 506-3752
Program Details
Eastern Florida State College
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Eastern Florida State College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
At the end of your study in this Eastern Florida State Colle, students will be eligible to sit for the licensure examination.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
3865 North Wickham Rd
Melbourne, FL 32935
Program Director
Kristin Schroeder, PT, DPT
Program Manager
(321) 433-7115
Website
Florida Gateway College
The PTA program at FGC is a competitive, selective admission program following a 1+1 model.
In phase 1, students complete all pre-requisite courses and are then eligible to apply for phase 2.
Phase II consists of 3 full-time semesters, which are fall, spring, and summer. During this period, they develop an understanding of the human disease, functional anatomy and kinesiology.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
149 SE College Place
Lake City, FL 32025-2006
Program Coordinator:
Bobbie Abbott, PTA, COTA, MS Ed. Law
Program Coordinator
(386) 754-4358
Program Details
Florida National University
This is one of the physical therapy assistant schools in Florida whose program is a full-time, day-time program offered at the Hialeah Campus and is designed to be completed in less than two years.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
4425 W Jose Regueiro (20th) Avenue
Hialeah, FL 33012-2800
Program Director:
Michael Gubieda, MHA, BS, PTA, CLWT
Program Director
(305) 821-3333 ext. 1051
Program Details
Florida State College at Jacksonville
At Florida State College at Jacksonville, the curriculum combines coursework and hands-on learning, focusing on kinesiology, patient care, therapeutic exercise, and the leading trends in physical therapy.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
North Campus
4501 Capper road
Jacksonville, FL 32218-4495
Program Director:
Sean McClafferty, DPT
Instructional Program Manager
(904) 766-5574
Program Details
Gulf Coast State College
Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Gulf Coast State College is designed to prepare students for entry-level work.
They offer the necessary courses that you need to develop the skills that employers need.
5230 West US Highway 98
Panama City, FL 32401-1041
Program Director:
Melinda Cumbaa, PT, MS
Coordinator
(850) 769-1551
Program Details
Herzing University
Herzing’s physical therapist assistant degree program at the Orlando Campus begins twice a year—January and July, and they accept 24 students each time without a waiting list.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
1865 SR 436
Winter Park, FL 32792
Program Director:
Amy H. Vernon, MSPT
Program Director
(407) 478-0500, ext. 05314
Program Details
Hodges University
In the accelerated and interactive Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Hodges University, you will receive the training you need to work under a licensed physical therapist.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
2655 Northbrooke Dr
Naples, FL 34119
Program Director
Cynthia Vaccarino, PT, DPT
Program Chair
(239) 849-4082
Program details
Indian River State College
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a selective admissions program. Students are selected based on criteria outlined in the Physical Therapist Assistant Application Book, see the program details for more information.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
3209 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34981-5541
Program Director:
Bernice Cuscuna
Program Director
(772) 462-7771
Program Details
Keiser University – Ft. Lauderdale
Keiser University’s Associate of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant prepares students for employment as skilled licensed health care workers under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
1500 NW 49th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309-3700
Program Director:
Jelaine James PT, DPT
Program Director
(954) 776-4456
Program details
Keiser University – Jacksonville
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
6430 Southpoint Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Program Director:
Mitchell T. Maione, PT, DPT, PhD(c), OCS, MTC, CFC
Program Director
(904) 296-3440
Keiser University – Lakeland
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
2400 Interstate Drive
Lakeland, FL 33805
Program Director:
Fortunato Franco, PT, DPT
Program Director
(863) 682-6020
Keiser University – Melbourne
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
900 South Babcock St
Melbourne, FL 32901
Program Manager:
Gabriel Mendez, PTA, BS
Program Director
(321) 409-4800
Keiser University – Miami
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
2101 NW 117th Avenue
Miami, FL 33172-7816
Program Director:
Marangela Prysiazny Obispo, PT, MSPT, GCS
Program Director
(305) 596-2226
Keiser University – Sarasota
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
6151 Lake Osprey Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240
Program Director:
Larry P. Credit, OMD
Program Director
(941) 907-3900, ext. 288
Keiser University – West Palm Beach
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
2085 Vista Parkway
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Program Director:
Mae Yahara, PT, MS, ATC
Program Director
(561) 471-6000
Miami Dade College
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
MDC Medical Campus
950 NW 20th Street
Miami, FL 33127-4622
Program Director:
Marlene Carmona, PT, DPT
Program Coordinator
(305) 237-4033
Pensacola State College
Enrollment in the physical therapy assistant program is limited.
The number of students in each class will be determined by the availability of space, equipment, qualified faculty and hospital and clinical facilities necessary for a meaningful education.
Only one class per year is accepted and the program acceptance is based on a selection from all qualified applicants meeting the minimum criteria on a first-qualified/first-served basis.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Department of Health Sciences
5555 West Highway 98
Pensacola, FL 32507-1015
Program Director:
Amy Arnold, PT, CLT
Interim Program Director
(850) 484-2209
Program Details
Polk State College
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881-4256
Program Director:
Mary Krell, PT, MPT
Program Director
(863) 297-1010
SABER College
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
3990 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33134
Program Director:
Karen Arocha, PT, MPT
Director
(305) 443-9170
Santa Fe College
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
3000 NW 83rd Street, Bldg W, Room 201
Gainesville, FL 32606
Program Director:
Amy McBreen-Babb, PT, DPT
Program Director
(352) 395-5038
Seminole State College of Florida
Seminole State College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program is a five-semester, limited-access, lock-step program.
It is one of the physical therapy assistant schools in Florida where students receive Receive an Associate in Science (A.S.) Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) degree upon graduation and are eligible to take the state licensure examination.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Altamonte Campus
850 South State Road 434
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-3630
Program Director:
Jeff Miller, DPT, OT/L
Program Manager
(407) 404 6047
South University – Tampa
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
4401 North Himes Avenue, Suite 175
Tampa, FL 33614-7095
Program Director:
Nancy Rupp, PT, DPT, C/NDT
Program Director
(813) 393-3800
South University – West Palm Beach
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
West Palm Beach Campus
9801 Belvedere Road
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
Program Director:
Zahra Weaver, PT, DPT, MHSA
Program Director
(561) 273-6418
St. Petersburg College
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
PO Box 13489
St. Petersburg, FL 33733-3489
Program Director:
Kory Thomas
Program Director
(727) 341-3611
State College of Florida
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Bradenton Campus
PO Box 1849
5840 26th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34206-7046
Program Director:
Matthew Connell, PT, MPT
Program Director
Physical Therapist Assistant Program Chair
(941) 752-5346
Program Details
Taylor College
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
5190 SE 125 St
Belleview, FL 34420
Program Director:
Stacy K Campbell, PT, MPH
Program Director
(352) 245-4119
The Praxis Institute
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
1850 SW 8th Street – 4th Floor
Miami, FL 33135
Program Director:
Yessenia P Roa, MSPT
Program Director, ACCE
(305) 642-4104
Rasmussen College – Land O’Lakes
Unlike other Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs, their CAPTE-accredited curriculum is designed with a unique blend of online courses and immersive on-campus labs, giving you the flexibility and firsthand experience you need.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
18600 Fernview Street
Land O’Lakes, FL 34638
Program Director:
Tania Tablinsky, PT, DPT
(952) 806-3939
Program Details
How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Florida
Physical therapist assistants entering the occupation typically need an associate’s degree from any of the accredited physical therapy assistant schools in Florida.
Physical therapist aides usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training.
All states require that physical therapist assistants have an associate degree from a program that is accredited.
The program for physical therapist assistants typically last about 2 years and includes coursework in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology.
Assistants also gain hands-on experience during supervised clinical work.
Once the degree from any of the physical therapy assistant schools in Florida is obtained, all states require physical therapist assistants to be licensed or certified.
To be licensed, you must have graduated from an accredited physical therapist program in any of the physical therapy assistant schools in Florida.
Also, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for physical therapist assistants.
The examination is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
In addition the these, some states require their candidates to pass the state’s laws regulating the practice of therapy assistants, undergo a criminal background check, and above all, applicants must be at least 18 years old.
When it is time for renewal, they may need to take continuing education courses in order to keep their license active.
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