SUN Sailor Editions St. Louis Park | Page 8

Education Sun Sailor Newspapers welcomes news releases and story ideas from the community. Send to [email protected]; mail to: Sun Sailor, 33 Second St. N.E., Osseo, MN 55369. sailor.mnsun.com Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 • Page 8 School will launch physical therapist assistant program Classes for the degree will begin in May By SETH ROWE [email protected] Herzing University in St. Louis Park has added a physical therapist assistant program to its offerings. The school will offer an associate of applied science degree relating to the occupation. The program is designed to prepare students for the National Physi- cal Therapy Examination required for a license in the profession, according to a statement from the school. The school is offering “inaugural class scholarships” of up to $15,000 to full-time students who enroll in time for the program’s launch in May. “We’re offering a (physical therapist assistant) program in Minneapolis be- cause we know there is a signifi cant need across the region that isn’t slow- ing down,” said Herzing-Minneapolis Campus President Jason Morgan. “Stu- dents will appreciate that the program has direct admission with no wait list and year-round study, allowing them to graduate in as little as 20 months. It’s a great opportunity for someone who is looking to start a new career quickly.” The career is one of the fastest grow- ing occupations in the country, accord- ing to representatives of the school. The U.S. Department of Labor has project- ed that employment for physical thera- pist assistants in the state will increase. According to CareerOneStop.org, a site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, there were more than 1,500 people working as physical therapist assistants in Minnesota in 2016. That fi gure is projected to increase 19 percent to 1,800 by 2026. Nationally, the federal government projected a 31 percent jump in that time span, from more than 88,000 in 2016 to nearly 116,000 in 2026. Physical therapist assistants may help develop treatment plans, document treatment progress and modify treat- ments based on patient status and ac- cording to plans established by a physi- cal therapist, according to the website sponsored by the labor department. The position generally requires formal train- ing, and people starting their careers in the fi eld usually have an associate’s de- gree, the site states. The median income for physical ther- apist assistants in Minnesota is nearly $54,000, according to a chart on the site. “Well-trained (physical therapist as- sistants) are a critical aspect of any physical therapy program,” Dr. Henry Lozano, director of rehabilitation at Capitol View Transitional Care Center Stay Connected anytime, any place l with ith online li access in St. Paul, said in a statement provided by the university. “They execute the care plan developed by the (physical thera- pist) and work directly with patients to help them achieve their goals.” The assistants work on a team that works with patients, according to the school. “They may assist in the treatment of individuals who have health-related conditions that limit their ability to per- form functional activities,” the school’s announcement explains. “(Physical therapist assistants) typically teach, coach and cheer on patients as they work through their treatment plan, as directed by the physical therapist.” The private, nonprofi t school is lo- cated at 435 Ford Road in St. Louis Park. The campus is one of nine in seven states. For more information, call 612-360- 2484 or visit herzing.edu/minneapolis. Call today to connect with a SENIOR LIVING ADVISOR INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE A Place for Mom has helped over a million families find senior living solutions that meet their unique needs. There’s no cost to you! (844) 347-2104 ! We’re paid by our partner communities • COMMUNITY NEWS • SPORTS • PUBLIC SAFETY • GOVERNMENT WWW.HOMETOWNSOURCE.COM