Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science

MISSION STATEMENT: Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level healthcare practitioners committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment.

THE CAREER: The physical therapist assistant (PTA) is a skilled technical healthcare provider who works under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist (PT) in the assessment, treatment and prevention of physical disability resulting from injury, disease, pain, birth defects and other health-related conditions. The PTA, working as a member of the rehabilitation team, assists in implementing the treatment program according to the plan of care developed by the PT. Typical duties of the PTA include training patients in exercise, ambulation and activities of daily living; conducting treatment using specialized equipment; administering therapeutic physical agents such as heat, cold and electrical stimulation; assisting in the performance of tests; and observing and reporting patient responses and changes in condition to the PT.

The Dictionary of Occupational Titles rates the strength demands of a PTA at the medium level. This translates into lifting or exerting a force of 20 to 50 pounds occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds or less constantly.

Interested students can learn more about the profession of physical therapy and the role of the PTA by contacting the professional association.

American Physical Therapy Association
111 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Telephone: 1-800-999-2782

THE PROGRAM:  Florida Community College at Jacksonville’s PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The PTA program is a combination of general education and professional courses including lecture, laboratory and clinical education components. Graduates of the program are prepared to function as entry-level practitioners. Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded an associate in science degree. Graduates are then eligible to apply to sit for a state administered national examination in order to qualify for licensure to practice as PTAs. Admission to this program is limited and is based on academic performance and other criteria.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

The PTA program is a selective access program. Admission to the professional phase of the program is limited and based upon academic performance and other criteria. An information/application packet outlining requirements, procedures, deadlines, costs and other pertinent information is available from the PTA department, North Campus. Minimum requirements that must be met for consideration for admission to the professional phase of the PTA program are as follows:

1. Applicants must be accepted for admission to Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ) or be currently enrolled at FCCJ. Acceptance to FCCJ does not guarantee admission to the professional phase of the PTA program.
2. Applicants must submit a completed application for the professional phase of the program to the PTA department. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered. Contact the PTA department for information/application packets and deadlines.
   
3. Applicants must have completed the following courses with a minimum grade of "C" and minimum combined grade point average of 2.5 no later than the end of the fall term prior to beginning the professional phase:
   *MAC 1105 College Algebra
   **PHY 1020C Physics for the Liberal Arts
   +**BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I
   +**BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II
   
4. Applicants must have completed the following courses with a passing grade no later than the end of the spring term prior to beginning the professional phase:
   ENC 1101 English Composition I
   DEP 2004 Human Growth and Development
   ***Humanities
   
5. Applicants must complete the Revised PSB — Health Occupations Aptitude Examination. Contact the assessment and certification center of any campus for scheduling information.
   
6. Applicants must submit documented evidence verifying completion of a minimum of 40 hours of observation, volunteer service and/or work experience in physical therapy departments. This must be obtained in a minimum of two distinct practice settings with no less than 16 hours in each setting. Verification forms can be obtained from the PTA department.
   
7. Applicants must submit evidence of current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification. The certification must be a two person, adult-infant/child course. The American Heart Association’s Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, the American Red Cross’ Community First Aid and Safety and FCCJ’s HEC 0300 Basic Life Support fulfill this requirement. Students must keep their certification current through the expected date of graduation.
8. Applicants must have a copy of their official college transcript(s), including pre-professional coursework, sent directly from the college or university to the PTA program. Students not currently enrolled in FCCJ and/or who are transferring college credit courses are required to have a second copy of their official transcript(s) sent directly from the college or university to the registrar’s office at FCCJ.
   

Required Courses

The following is a list of courses required for this program presented in a recommended sequence of completion. The sequence is only a suggested guide, and there is no requirement to follow the sequence precisely. Students in this program may register for any course as long as the student has met any prerequisites for that course.

Course Number and Title	Credits
ENC 1101 English Composition I	3
+**BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
*MAC 1105 College Algebra	3
***Humanities	3
+**BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
**PHY 1020C Physics for Liberal Arts	3
DEP 2004 Human Growth and Development	3
Total Credit Hours	23

Physical Therapist Assistant Courses

NOTE: The PTA program is a limited access program. Students may not enroll in the following courses unless accepted into the professional phase of the program based on the selection criteria and available seats. A minimum grade of "C" must be earned in each of the following courses in order to continue in the professional phase. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 must be maintained throughout enrollment in the professional phase of the program.

Course Number and Title	Credits
PHT 1000C Introduction to Physical Therapy	2
PHT 1120C Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology	6
PHT 1200C Basic Patient Care	6
PHT 1212C Physical Therapy Principles and Procedures	4
PHT 2220C Therapeutic Exercise in Physical Therapy	5
PHT 2252C Orthopedic Disabilities and Treatment	4
PHT 2253C Neurological Disabilities and Treatment	4
PHT 2301C Disabilities and Therapeutic Procedures	2
PHT 2801L Physical Therapy Clinical Practice I	4
PHT 2931 Trends in Physical Therapy	2
PHT 2810L Physical Therapy Clinical Practice II	6
PHT 2820L Physical Therapy Clinical Practice III	6
Total Credit Hours	74

* Students who qualify may substitute a higher level mathematics course. Students opting to earn an associate in applied science may take MAT 1033 instead of MAC 1105.
**A minimum grade of "C" is required in math and science courses.
***Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements. Students may elect to take this course during the first spring or summer term of the professional phase. However, it is highly recommended that it be completed prior to beginning the professional phase.
+If these courses have been completed more than five years prior to enrollment in the professional phase, a competency examination with a specified minimum passing grade of seventy percent will be required.