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WHO IS CASA LOMA COLLEGE?

Casa Loma College is a non-profit college serving the professional health care community of Los Angeles, California since 1966.

The college offers accelerated hybrid programs to help you earn a degree in less than two years.

We are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and we are approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE) for students to use their GI Bill education benefits at our Sherman Oaks, CA campus. Our Nashville, TN campus is not currently approved for VA Education Benefits.

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Skills of a Physical Therapist Assistant

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program has been designed to prepare students to enter the occupation of physical therapist assisting with the ability, knowledge, and skills necessary to successfully perform all of the essential functions expected of entry-level PTA’s. On the job the PTA will instruct, motivate, safeguard and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities; observe and monitor patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data; confer with physical therapy staff or other healthcare professionals to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying or coordinating treatment.

Below are some of the abilities, attitudes, and skills required for successful practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant:

Communication: PTA’s communicate regularly with patients verbally and written. PTA’s must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, patients’ families, and other professionals.

Compassion: PTA’s have to be able to empathize with patients who are struggling, often both physically and emotionally. They have to understand how the patient is feeling, and use that information to decide how to motivate that patient best (and, often, the patient’s family).

Critical Thinking: PTA’s need to critically think and adapt to changes in patient status quickly.

Detail Oriented: PTA’s have to keep detailed records of patients’ illnesses, injuries, and exercise programs. They must carefully track patient progress and note patient status to the physical therapist. To keep track of all of this, PTA’s must be organized and focused on the details.

Multitasking: PTA’s must perform multiple tasks at once. They typically assist with many patients at one time and must be able to prioritize their duties.

Physical Stamina: PTA’s perform a number of tasks that require physical strength and dexterity. They must be on their feet for long periods, bend and kneel, and move patients. PTA’s should also be comfortable being physically close to and touching another person.

Skills of a MRI Technologist

The MRI Technologist must independently perform procedures with efficiency and skill. The Technologist must have a thorough knowledge of anatomy and the ability to make judgments about the MRI pulse sequencing, gradient magnetic fields and anatomic slice orientation. Knowledge about magnetic fields, electromagnets, atomic structure and computers is essential. Patient care responsibilities require knowledge of sterile technique, administration of contrast media, ability to handle emergency procedures and routine performance of venipuncture. The MR technologist needs to effectively work with claustrophobic patients and be constantly aware of magnetic safety of patients, self and co-workers

Following are some of the skills and traits of an MRI Technologist:

Confidence: You need to be confident in your unique combination of talents , skills and education and have the confidence to provide patient care without second guessing your decision

Interpersonal Skills: The ability to discuss complex information with patients as well as gathering important details about the patient’s history; communicate and receive written and verbal instructions and carry them out using proper channels of communication; use accurate verbal and written communications to interpret clinical data, obtain and document relevant clinical information, and comprehend and carry out physician requests

Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability: Exercise independent judgment and discretion in the technical performance of MRI procedure; perform mathematical problems quickly and accurately; and, work efficiently in stressful situations

Adaptability and Flexibility: Ability to adapt to the changing industry and stay ahead of current developments in the field as well as the flexibility to go with the flow within the department and adapt to the ever changing circumstances given to the Technologist

Technical Skills: The ability to operate the MRI scanner, coils and equipment to perform diagnostic procedures in a manner consistent with MRI safe practices and maximum image quality

Physical Requirements: Sufficient strength and fine motor coordination to assist in moving patient from stretcher, wheelchair or bed to and from MRI table.

Skills of a Ultrasound Technologist

Ultrasound Technologist are professionals who do an excellent job and are well liked to because of their personality and professional skills and traits. An exceptional sonographer is one who rises above the job specifics and becomes a true inspiration to others.

Although working as a sonographer is challenging, if you have what it takes, it is an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding career.

Following are some of the skills and traits a sonographer should possess.

Compassion and Interpersonal Skills are essential to a Ultrasound Technologist. They must carefully explain procedures to their patients and must be able to discuss technical details and examination results with the physician and other medical personnel.

Technical Skills and Eye Hand Coordination is essential to the Ultrasound Technologist as ultrasound is one of the most operator dependent. If you pick up use of electronics and have excellent eye-hand coordination, gaining the technical knowledge should come easier to you.

Detail Oriented is critical to the role of the Ultrasound Technologist. Ultrasound Technologist must understand the intricate details of the human anatomy as well as the specialized function of ultrasound equipment. Being alert for abnormalities in an image may mean the difference between accurate diagnosis and an inaccurate one.

Physical Strength and knowledge of proper body mechanics is critical to a Ultrasound Technologist. Ultrasound Technologist are on their feet most of the day and may scan upwards of eight or more patients per day. In addition Ultrasound Technologist prepare exam rooms, move ultrasound equipment from room to room, and assist patients in positioning themselves onto the table.

Mental Strength gives the Ultrasound Technologist the ability to display emotional stability, maturity, judgment and empathy for others. Ultrasound Technologist will come across dire health conditions among the images they capture and they must be able to remain professional with the patients even in the most difficult of situations.

Career Outlook of a Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant is one of the fastest growing healthcare fields in the country! In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California ranks #4 in states with the highest employment need for PTA’s and #3 for the top paying states for this occupation. People looking for a challenge and variety, and who want to make a difference by helping people, can accomplish all that and more as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

Physical Therapist Assistants have been ranked #3 in Best Health Care Support Jobs and #26 in the 100 Best Jobs, according to the 2020 U.S. News and World Report. With an aging Baby Boomer population and a larger insurance pool — among other factors— an increasing number of Americans are turning to physical therapy. As a result, PTA’s are in high demand. In fact, the Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates a 29% job growth between 2019-2029.

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA’s) are the only health care providers besides Physical Therapists trained and licensed to provide physical therapy. PTA’s provide physical therapy services under the direction of a physical therapist in the assessment, treatment and prevention of physical disability resulting from injury, disease, pain, birth defects and other health-related condition

PTA’s have a wide choice of employment opportunities ranging from hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities to include fitness and wellness-oriented programs. PTA’s most often work regular business hours, providing more ability for a balanced lifestyle. PTA’s can derive great job satisfaction by helping clients regain function, manage pain and prevent injury and disability.

Career Outlook of a MRI Technologist

The career outlook for the MRI Technologist is excellent! U.S. News and World Report ranks MRI Technologists as #16 in The Best Health Care Support Jobs and #76 in the 100 Best Jobs. And, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of MRI Technologists is expected to increase by about 7% percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. California has the highest employment level and is the top paying state for wages in this occupation.

Hospitals will remain the primary employer for MRI Technologists; however, more and more technologist are also finding employment in medical and diagnostic laboratories, physician offices and outpatient care centers. The benefits of pursuing an MRI career are plenty, including a high salary, in-demand nature of the career and the opportunity to work closely with patients and co-workers in a highly respected setting. As the population of the US gets older and the field of magnetic resonance imaging continues to grow, so do the opportunities.

Career Outlook of a Ultrasound Technologist

According to U.S. News, advances in technology has led medical facilities to use ultrasound more in place of costly, invasive procedures. Ultrasound Technologist have been ranked by U.S. News and World Report #5 in Best Healthcare Support Jobs and #40 in the 100 Best Jobs for 2020! Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to increase by about 12% percent through 2029 — much faster than the average for all occupations.

Ultrasound imaging technology is expected to evolve rapidly and spawn many new sonography procedures, enabling sonographers to scan and image areas of the body where ultrasound has not traditionally been used. Hospitals will remain the principal employer of diagnostic medical sonographers. However, employment is expected to grow more rapidly in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories. Health care facilities such as these are expected to increase in number because of the strong shift toward outpatient care, encouraged by third-party payers and made possible by technological advances and less expensive ultrasound equipment that permit more procedures to be performed outside of hospitals.