Physical Therapist Assistant

Build a career as a physical therapist assistant!

Do you love helping people? Do you enjoy physical work? Do you like learning about human anatomy, physiology, and body movement? Consider a career as a physical therapist assistant. Work with a team of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to help patients manage pain, improve mobility, function, and quality of life, or return to sports through hands-on coaching and personalized exercise programs.

Through classroom instruction and clinical practice in area healthcare facilities you will learn:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Therapeutic exercise to treat and prevent injuries, restore muscular and skeletal functions
• Functional fitness training to improve balance, coordination, and overall movement for daily activities
• Use of adaptive devices and technologies (including prosthetics) to assist with daily duties and independence
• application of physical agents (water, electricity, sound, light, heat, and cold) to restore, maintain, and promote optimal physical function

GRC Physical Assistant Associate Degree program graduates have a 100 percent employment rate! 

Community employers recognize and value the quality of instruction at GRC and seek our program graduates above others.

Career opportunties

Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) work in hospital and rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing, extended care and convalescent homes, home health agencies, hospices, schools and other pediatric facilities, sports therapy clinics and athletic facilities.
The work is interesting, varied, requires constant contact with people, and can be physically intense - build a rewarding career with competitive pay and a growing demand for skilled professionals nationawide.

PTAs work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. After graduating from as accredited PTA program you must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and obtain a Washington state physical therapy license. GRC Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree program delivers the education, practical training, and soft skills you need to pass the NPTE and start a rewarding career. Our students exceed the national average passing rate for the NPTE exam! 

Meet the team

Experienced Instructors dedicated to student success and program quality

PAM KIKILLUS

PT, DHSc, OCS, COMT, CHT, FAAOMPT

Program Director; Faculty

Pam is a highly skilled and multi-talented therapist. She is a board certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, a credentialed clinical instructor, and a certified manual physical therapist. Pam has been active in the physical therapy community by serving as an instructor at several colleges and universities. She has authored and published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented seminars at national physical therapy conferences. 

ANNA NEIL

PTA

Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education; Faculty

Anna graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a BS in Physical Education before attending Green River’s Physical Therapist Assistant program in 1994. She has worked in various settings which include Pediatrics, inpatient rehabilitation, sports medicine orthopedics, skilled nursing, and home health. Anna started teaching at Green River College in 2013 as part-time adjunct faculty and then in 2016 took on the responsibilities of Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE).

Information Sessions

Book an information session with our OTA/PTA advisor 

RSVP for an Information Session

program mission statement

Green River College (GRC) Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program will deliver comprehensive, accessible, learning focused and patient-centered education to prepare students for successful employment as PTAs. GRC is committed to helping students become competent professionals who use their critical thinking, discernment, communication skills, and empathy to contribute to patient care through physical therapy and advance in their careers as PTAs. 

We are dedicated to empowering program graduates to provide quality patient care to diverse populations in a variety of health care settings under the supervision of physical therapists. Graduates will be prepared to practice in legal, ethical, safe, accountable, and effective way and adapt and respond appropriately within the ever‐changing environment of health care.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Green River College awards an Associate in Applied Science degree and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. The program prepares graduates for immediate employment.