Physical Therapist Assistant (222A)

Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science

Mission Statement

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.

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)

The Program

A limited access program.

Florida Community College PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. 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. Admission to this program is limited and is based on academic performance and other criteria.

Career Opportunities, Rapid Placement

Job growth is expected to be much faster than average, according to the Department of Labor. The average annual salary for PTAs in Duval County is $38,000.

Internships and Rotations

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.

Accreditation

Florida Community College’s PTA program has been granted accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education until 2014.

Articulation

This A.S. degree program articulates into a bachelor’s degree program. For more information, please visit the Transfer Services Web site.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is February 15 of each year for classes starting in May of the same year.

Application Procedure

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, costs and other pertinent information is available from the PTA department, North Campus.

Original transcripts are required for students who wish to receive credit from schools other than FCCJ.

Minimum requirements that must be met for consideration for admission to the technical phase of the PTA program are as follows:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Applicants must have completed 16 credit hours, including ENC 1101, 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.
   
   

   	*Mathematics
   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

   
   
4. Applicants must complete the Revised PSB — Health Occupations Aptitude Examination. Contact the assessment and certification center of any campus for scheduling information.
5. 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.
6. 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.

Course Number and Title		Credits
General Education
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
	*Mathematics	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. 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.

Curriculum

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

*Refer to A.S./A.A.S. degree General Education Requirements.
+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.

Note

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.

Note

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.

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