Right fit outweighs risk
Anoka-Ramsey Community College took a
risk in 2001 when it chose to accept
the Physical Therapist Assistant Program
to its Coon Rapids Campus through a
program transfer from Anoka Technical
College (ATC), Holland explains.
“Prior to 2001, students were
enrolled in the program at Anoka Tech
(ATC) but came to ARCC to take their
science and liberal arts courses. When
we made the choice to bring the complete
program here (ARCC), there were only
11 students enrolled -- a very risky
situation.”
However, Holland and ARCC President
Patrick Johns felt that the program was
the right fit for the college due to
its interest in expanding allied heath
programs. ARCC has an RN Nursing Program,
an LPN to RN Nursing Program, and a Biomedical
Technology Program.
Positive trend, positive results
Another reason ARCC chose the PTA Program
was because the physical therapy industry
was beginning to take an upswing, says
Holland. “In the mid ‘90s,
concerns about the way Medicare would
provide payouts for physical therapy
services caused many providers to take
precautions that included decreasing
staff. The anticipated loss of jobs
caused student enrollment to drop.
However, Medicare concerns began to
subside around the time we took on
the program and enrollment has increased
every year.”
According to the U.S. Department of
Labor, Physical Therapist Assistant is
one of the fastest growing occupations
for 2002-2012 -- expected to grow by
45 percent.
“We are in a field that we’re
really excited to be a part of,” says
Lisa Lentner, Physical Therapist Assistant
Program Director at ARCC. She has a first-hand
view of the industry’s positive
trend and increased student enrollment.
Lentner was a faculty member at ATC and
moved to ARCC along with the program.
She and fellow instructors have made
a conscience effort to make the program
visible at the college.
“Students may come here because
they’re interested in health care,
maybe nursing,” Lentner says. “We
work hard to keep fellow faculty, staff
and students aware of the PTA program
as a viable option, an alternative to
nursing. And it’s our goal to develop
competent, responsible, professional
heath care employees.”
Student perspectives
The scenario described by Lentner fits
the education path that student Bridget
Stallman took on her way to Anoka-Ramsey
Community College. Stallman considered
entering the Nursing Program at North
Hennepin Community College but was
concerned about the course schedule
falling in line with the college courses
she had already taken. She was referred
to the PTA Program at ARCC by a second-year
student.
“I was able to participate in
an observation session to find out what
being a physical therapist assistant
was all about,” says Stallman. “I
enjoyed watching people get better, especially
the elderly. I like the idea of helping
people find ways to make themselves feel
better.”
Stallman also chose the program due
to the small size of the cohort. “I
like that we will all move together as
a group. It’s like being part of
a small school.”
Fellow student Shanna Dahl echoed Stallman’s
perspective on the group approach. Dahl
has a bachelor’s degree in exercise
science but decided she wanted to go
back to school become more involved in
heath care.
“I looked at other PTA programs
but after visiting Anoka-Ramsey, I felt
that it would be a better environment
to learn. I feel supported here because
everyone is willing to help and I believe
that if you enjoy your surroundings,
it’s easier to learn.”
For more information about the Physical
Therapist Assistant Program at Anoka-Ramsey
Community College, please call 763-427-2600
or visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu.
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