Physical Therapist Assistant (222A)
Creating competent, ethical, confident entry–level health care practitioners committed to professional development through life–long learning in a positive, non–discriminatory and supportive learning environment.
Anyone with chronic pain or physical disabilities knows the value of well-applied
physical therapy. 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. The PTA helps patients who may
be accident victims, have birth defects, severe arthritis, heart disease,
fractures, head injuries or cerebral palsy. The PTA’s ability improves
patients’ mobility.
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 Florida Community College PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The 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. Admission to this program is limited and is based on academic performance and other criteria.
Florida Community College, in partnership with Baptist, Brooks
Rehabilitation, Memorial, Shand’s, St. Luke’s and St. Vincent’s
hospitals, has established the most advanced, state-of-the-art, medical training
center in Northeast Florida. PTA classes are taught on our campus by the area’s
leading therapists, physicians, scientists and allied health professionals. Clinical
training is held in area medical centers.
Employers view clinical experience as essential to understanding the responsibilities
of a physical therapist assistant. Clinical training at Brooks Rehabilitation
Hospital is arranged as part of your training. You may be required to undergo
drug screening and criminal background checks prior to placement.
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.
Florida Community College’s PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. This A.S. degree program articulates into the Bachelor of Health Science degree program at the University of North Florida and Nova Southeastern University. See more information on articulation.
The PTA program is a selective access program. 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 online or from the PTA department, North Campus.
Applications must be received by February 15. Thirty students are admitted to the program each year. 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. It is highly recommended that all of the following courses be completed 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.
Estimated tuition is $4,914 (for Florida residents as of 7/06). See the online brochure concerning additional costs (materials, fees, textbooks).
A brochure outlining costs, requirements, deadlines and procedures is available online.
Florida Physical Therapy Association
Physical Therapist Assistant (2244)
Curriculum
| 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 |
| |
|
|
| Required 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
The PTA program is a limited access program. 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 the following 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. All prerequisites should be taken prior to applying
to 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.
+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.
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.
