Physical Therapy Assistant (Physical Therapist Assistant) (222A)
This is a selective access program.
The Career: The physical therapist assistant
(PTA) is a skilled technical health care 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
(1.800.999.2782)
www.apta.org
The Program: The PTA program is a combination
of general education and technical 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, you are awarded an associate in
science degree. You are then eligible to apply to sit for a state
administered national examination in order to qualify for licensure
to practice as a PTA.
Job growth is expected to be much faster than average, according to the Department of Labor.
The average starting annual salary for PTAs is $30,000, while those with experience typically
earn between $32,400-$37,800
Graduates are prepared to sit for a state-administered national
examination, in order to qualify for licensure to practice as
PTAs.
Florida Community College’s PTA program is accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 1111 North
Fairfax Street, Alexandria VA 32214 (800.999.2782).
Estimated tuition is $4,700 (for Florida residents as of 7/05).
Contact the program manager for additional costs (materials, fees, textbooks).
A new class is admitted each May. Admission
to the technical 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 technical phase of the PTA program are as
follows:
- Applicants must be accepted for admission
to Florida Community College or be currently enrolled at Florida
Community College. Acceptance to Florida Community College does
not guarantee admission to the technical phase of the PTA program.
- Applicants must submit a completed application
for the technical 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.
- Applicants must have completed 16 credit
hours, including ENC 1101, MAC 1105, DEP 2004, BSC 2085C, and
a humanities course with a minimum grade of “C” and
minimum combined grade point average of 2.5 prior to beginning
the technical 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
- ENC 1101 English Composition I
- DEP 2004 Human Growth and Development
- ***Humanities
- Applicants must complete the Revised PSB
— Health Occupations Aptitude Examination. Contact the
assessment
and certification center of any campus for scheduling information.
- Applicants must submit documented evidence
verifying completion of a minimum of 10 hours of observation,
volunteer service and/or work experience in physical therapy.
Verification forms can be obtained from the PTA department.
- Applicants must provide a copy of your official
college transcript(s), including pre-technical coursework, to
the PTA program. Students not currently enrolled in Florida
Community College 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 Florida Community College.
Students who have submitted completed applications
to the PTA department by the deadline will be ranked according
to a point scale based on grade point average in the required
general education courses, scores on the Revised PSB — Health
Occupations Aptitude Examination and accumulated hours of observation,
volunteer service and/or work experience in physical therapy departments.
The 24 highest ranked students will be accepted into the technical
phase of the PTA program and notified of their acceptance by mail.
A ranked alternate list will be established. In the event of forfeiture,
the next highest ranked student will be notified of acceptance.
Refer to the PTA program information/application packet for a
complete description of the point system on which ranking is based.
| General Education Courses |
| These five courses must be completed prior to enrolling in the technical phase of the program. |
| ENC 1101 |
English Composition I |
3 |
| +BSC 2085C |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
4 |
| *MAC 1105 |
College Algrebra |
3 |
| |
**Humanities |
3 |
| DEP 2004 |
Human Growth and Development |
3 |
| |
Credit Hours |
16 |
| |
|
|
| Technical Courses |
| +BSC 2086C |
Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
4 |
| PHY 1020C |
Physics for Liberal Arts with Laboratory |
3 |
| |
Credit Hours |
23 |
Physical Therapist Assistant Courses
With the exception
of PHT 1000, PHT 1120C and PHT 1300, which may be taken in the
pre-technical phase if prerequisites are met, students may not
enroll in any of the professional courses unless accepted into
the technical 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 technical phase. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 must be maintained
throughout enrollment in the technical phase of the program.
| PHT 1000 |
Introduction to Physical Therapy |
3 |
| PHT 1120C |
Kinesiology |
3 |
| PHT 1200C |
Basic Patient Care |
5 |
| PHT 1300 |
Pathological Conditions |
3 |
| PHT 2220C |
Physical Agents and Mechanical Modalities |
4 |
| PHT 2252C |
Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy |
5 |
| PHT 2253C |
Neurological and Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy |
5 |
| PHT 1212C |
Electrotherapeutic Modalities |
2 |
| PHT 2282C |
Cardiopulmonary and Integumentary Physical Therapy |
3 |
| 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 |
| |
Technical Phase Credit Hours |
51 |
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.
**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 technical phase, a competency examination
with a specified minimum passing grade of seventy percent will
be required.
You have two options in this program: the associate in science
(A.S.) degree, which can prepare you for employment or transfer
to a state university, and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.)
degree, which is intended primarily for students who want immediate
employment after graduation. If you choose the A.S. degree you
must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a higher level mathematics. The
A.A.S. degree requires MAT 1033 or higher. Please see an advisor
to determine the option that is best for you.
Following admission to the technical phase,
a physical examination, criminal background check and first aid/CPR
certifications will be required.
Record of Conviction of a Crime
The Florida State Board of Physical Therapy, in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the Physical Therapy Practice Act, will determine a PTA program graduate’s eligibility
for licensure when there is an arrest/conviction record. Convicted felons who have not had
their civil rights restored are not eligible to take the Licensure Examination. Students
should contact the PTA department for information regarding Florida State Board of Physical
Therapy regulations.
Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and
criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences.
Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may
be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for
and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program.
Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.
The cost of the background check and drug screen is borne by the student.
Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by
the program’s published deadline.Students who are unable to complete the clinical
requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds
of tuition.
