Pathway
Physical Therapy Aide
Physical therapy aide youth apprentices clean and setup the treatment area, move patients, and performing clerical duties. They also assist physical therapists in training and treatment.
Length of Apprenticeship: One year
Job Competencies
Youth apprentices must complete a total of 13 competencies. Twelve must be from the list below. If necessary, employers can substitute 1 competency with another occupationally appropriate skill. That skill should be added to the competency list for assessment.
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Required Competencies
- Practice infection control and safety
- Set up treatment area
- Assist to explain treatment to patient
- Position client on therapy equipment
- Measure vital signs
- Assist client with performing range of motion exercises
- Assist client with prescribed exercise program
- Assist client with gait training
- Administer active and passive treatments
- Clean and restock after procedure
- Maintain inventory
- Apply compression stockings and/or tubi-grips
- Use isolation techniques
Related Instruction
Students must enroll in 1 High School Credit or 3 College Credits of related instruction each year they participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Purpose of Related Instruction
The purpose of choosing a related instruction course is to ensure students are learning technical and academic skills that support the student's ability to perform their work tasks. This should be done concurrently with on-the-job training to make relevant connections between learning competencies and work.
Choosing Related Instruction
You will collaborate with your YA Coordinator and School Counselor to determine the most appropriate option for related instruction. A course within your high school directly related to the career pathway is ideal, especially if dual credits and/or hours related to a potential registered apprenticeship are offered.
If there is not a directly related course in your school district, related instruction in the same career cluster is also acceptable.
If there is not a course within that career cluster in your school district, you may request to register for a college course through the Start College Now program with a local technical college, Early College Credit from a local university, or from an alternative provider such as Destinations Career Academy.-
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Algebra 2
- Business or Consumer Math
- Pre-Calculus or Calculus
- Statistics
- Foreign/World Languages
- Oral/Interpersonal Communication
- Speech
- Technical Writing & Communication
- Written Communication
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Computer Literacy
- Career Development/Employability Skills
- College 101
- Diversity Studies
- Leadership and Civic Engagement Courses
- Psychology
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Food Science
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- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology
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- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Sports Medicine
Post Secondary
There are numerous opportunities to continue your education after completing the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Registered Apprenticeships
Registered Apprenticeship in Physical Therapy Aide is not currently available.
College and University
- Completion of a Youth Apprenticeship fulfills college admission requirements across the UW System. Click here to learn more Universities of Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Technical College System.