| PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT
Associate in Applied Science Degree MEC
Purpose: The PTA program is designed to prepare students
to utilize exercise, specialty equipment and other treatment procedures
to prevent, identify, correct, and alleviate movement dysfunction.
The program design provides students with the philosophical, theoretical,
and clinical knowledge necessary to deliver high-quality patient
care. Ultimately, students are prepared as skilled technical health
care providers who work under the direction and supervision of
a physical therapist to provide selected components of physical
therapy treatments. Upon successful completion of the program,
students must take and pass a licensing examination to begin their
career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA). Students are prepared
for employment in a variety of health-care settings including
acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, extended care facilities,
rehabilitation centers, contract agencies and schools.
Special Accreditation Status: The program is fully accredited
by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Transfer Information: Although transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, NVCC has articulation agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their faculty advisor early in their program.
Students must comply with all General Admission Requirements
for Allied Health Programs. (See page 104.)
Program Admission Process: To be admitted to the PTA program,
applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
1. Attendance at a PTA Program Information Session. Call the program office at 703-822-6570 for scheduled dates or visit the web site http://www.nvcc.edu/medical/health/pta/
2. Completion of NAS 150
Human Biology with a grade of C or better. BIO 141-142 or NAS 161-162
may be substituted for NAS 150.
3. Completion of HLT 141 Medical Terminology with a grade of C or better.
4. 2.0 GPA at last school attended.
5. Be 18 years of age or older.
6. Satisfactory scores on NVCC placement tests to qualify for
MTH 151 and ENG 111.
Completion of steps 1-6 above constitutes a completed PTA Program
Application. Completed PTA Program Applications will be accepted
in the PTA program office on October first for the following
Fall semester. Acceptance is determined on a first-come-first-served
basis with first priority given to legal residents domiciled in the cities and counties supporting the College. Students are notified in writing of acceptance into the
program following submission of a completed application.
Professional Standards Requirements: Students are expected to
consistently demonstrate professional behavior in both the classroom
and during clinical affiliations. Professional behavior must
be consistent with the APTA Code of Ethics for Affiliate Member
and Generic Abilities (see PTA Program Handbook). Behavior inconsistent
with the Code of Ethics and/or the Generic Abilities will result
in dismissal from the program.
Additional Requirements: In addition to the Admission
Requirements for Allied Health Programs, students must complete
a basic first aid course prior to admission into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.
Advanced Placement Admission: Students seeking advanced
placement, or transfer should contact the PTA program for individual
counseling.
Laboratory Examination Requirements: Each student must
achieve a minimum passing score of 70% on each laboratory practical
exam. In the event that a lab practical is failed, a maximum of
one reexamination, per examination will be permitted. Performance
determined to be less than competent will result in withdrawal
and/or failure from the class. A student who does not achieve
a 70% or greater on the second attempt will fail the class and
be administratively withdrawn from the program.
Re-Enrollment:
1. Students in good standing may be permitted to re-enroll in
the PTA curriculum on a space available basis, with permission
of the Assistant Dean.
2. Students who leave the program for one year
or more for either personal or academic reasons are required to
demonstrate proficiency in all previously enrolled skills courses
prior to re-entering the program. "Practical exams"
are administered and scheduled by the program faculty. A written
exam will be required.
3. Students who leave the program for any period of time for
medical reasons are required to submit evidence of good physical
and mental health, as substantiated by a newly completed Pre-Admission
Health History and Physical for Allied Health and Nursing form
(NVCC 125-7) signed by the primary physician responsible for theircare.
|
First Year |
1st Semester |
2nd Semester |
3rd Semester |
|
|
ENG |
111 |
College Composition I |
3 |
|
PTH |
105 |
Intro. to Physical Therapy |
3 |
|
PTH |
121 |
Therapeutic Proc. I |
5 |
|
PTH |
151 |
Musculoskeletal Structure and Function |
5 |
|
SDV |
101 |
Orientation to Health Care |
1 |
|
|
PED |
220 |
Adult Health and Development |
|
2 |
|
1 ___ |
|
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective |
|
3 |
|
PSY |
201 |
Intro. to Psychology I |
|
3 |
|
PTH |
115 |
Kinesiology for the Physical |
|
|
|
|
|
Therapist Assistant |
|
5 |
|
PTH |
122 |
Therapeutic Proc. II |
|
5 |
|
|
MTH |
|
Elective |
|
|
3 |
|
PTH |
131 |
Clinical Education I |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
Total Credits/Semester |
17 |
18 |
6 |
|
Second Year |
1st Semester |
2nd Semester |
|
|
PTH |
225 |
Rehab. Procedures |
5 |
|
PTH |
231 |
Clinical Education II |
5 |
|
2 ___ |
|
Social Science Elective |
3 |
|
|
PTH |
210 |
Psych. Aspects of Therapy |
|
2 |
|
PTH |
227 |
Pathological Conditions |
|
2 |
|
PTH |
232 |
Clinical Education III |
|
5 |
|
PTH |
245 |
Professional Issues |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
Total Credits/Semester |
13 |
12 |
Total credits for the A.A.S. Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant
= 66 (71 with 4 credit NAS prerequisites).
To graduate from a degree program, students entering
NVCC Fall 1999 or later must demonstrate computer competency
skills as described
in the Degree Requirements section of the Instructional Programs
of this catalog. Students in this program may take HIT 130 – Intro.
to Healthcare Information Systems or take the NVCC computer
competency
test.
1 Humanities/fine arts
elective may be selected from the list on page 40.
2The social science elective may be selected from the economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, or sociology (included anthropology) courses listed on pages 40-41
|
