Welcome to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program
The physical therapist assistant is a skilled technical health care
worker who carries out patient treatment programs under the direction of
the physical therapist. The assistant works to relieve pain and/or
increase function in patients via therapeutic application of heat, cold,
light, water, electricity, sound, massage, exercise, gait and functional
activity.
Physical therapist assistants work in a variety of settings which
include:
- hospitals
- rehabilitation agencies
- schools
- outpatient clinics
- nursing homes
- home health agencies
- sports medicine clinics
- traveling therapy agencies
Persons interested in pursuing this program should be comfortable
working with people of all age groups in close one-to-one relationships.
They should enjoy physical activity and be patient and empathetic when
working with others.
Upon completion of the program, the student is awarded an Associate
in Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree.
A national licensing examination is given by the
Federation of State
Boards of Physical Therapy . The goal of
this program is to provide knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will
culminate in successful employment of the graduate as a licensed
Physical Therapist Assistant.
Requirements of the PTA Program
(College Rule 6Hx23-4.60)
I. Program Admission
Eligibility to start the first specialty course in the program is
based upon the following minimum requirements:
-
Completion of at least 12 credits from the general education and/or
support courses required for the AS degree in Physical Therapist
Assistant.
-
Completion of a minimum of 24 hours of observation, volunteer
service or work experience in a physical therapy department. This
requirement must be completed in at least 2 different types of
clinical agencies. (Physical therapy experience must be verified by
a signed statement from a physical therapist or physical therapist
assistant.)
-
Completion of:
- BSC 2085 Anatomy and
Physiology I and BSC 2085L Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory
with a grade of "C" or better.
- A 2.5 grade point average on
a 4.0 scale in at least 12 semester hours of Physical Therapist
Assistant general education and support courses.
-
Successful completion of the requirements for a Basic Rescuer CPR
Certificate and Basic First Aid Certificate. The CPR Certificate
must include a practical component, a purely on-line course will not
be accepted.
-
Prior to acceptance an enrollment into this program, applicants must
pass a background check and drug screening.
II. Special Progress Requirements
In order to enroll in any PHT course with prerequisites, a grade of
"C" or better must have been earned in all prerequisite PHT courses.
III. In addition to SPC graduation requirements,
students must meet these special graduation requirements.
-
A grade of "C" or better in all Physical Therapist
Assistant courses in this program.
-
Students must satisfactorily complete an
end-of-program competency assessment examination.
Important Information
-
Liability and clinical accidental insurance must be obtained
through the College for which a special fee will be charged.
-
Students admitted to this program must have a physical examination
by a licensed physician or an advanced RN practitioner verifying
satisfactory health status and a dental examination verifying oral
health status prior to entrance into the first session of the
program. This must include all immunizations, tests, and health
verifications tests, and health verifications as specified within
contractual agreements with affiliating agencies. This may be
required on an annual basis at the discretion of the program
director.
-
Program requirements are subject to change. Students should check
with a counselor, advisor or the program director.
-
Students transferring from another Physical Therapist Assistant or
other health-related program must be in good standing in such
program. (Exceptions will be handled by the Provost's Office at the
Health Education Center.)
-
In order to be successful in the Physical
Therapist Assistant Program, the student must be able to demonstrate
essential student functions.
-
Complaints generated from the Community that fall
outside of the College's due process may be reported to either
the
PTA Program Director, or the
Health Education Center Provost. Documentation regarding
complaints and outcomes will be filed in the Health Education Center
Provost Office.
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If you have questions regarding the Physical Therapist
Assistant Program, please follow the link or call one of our
Health Advisors at the number listed below. Contact Information:
HEC
Advising@spcollege.edu
(727) 341-3687
Forms & Applications
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Accreditation
The St. Petersburg College Physical Therapist Assistant Program is
accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy
Education of the
American Physical Therapy
Association, 1111 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria VA 22314,
1-800-999-2782.
Program Outcomes
Graduation Rate:
Performance on Licensure Examination:
Employment Rate:
Admissions Procedures:
Applicants who meet the application and admission requirements may
submit an application at any time. Approximately 40 applicants will be
admitted every August on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis.
Eligible applicants not admitted for the year in which they apply may be
listed as an alternate for that year and will be admitted for the next
available class. Students who fail to enroll and/or attend the term for
which admission is granted must reapply for a future date or students
may be slotted into an earlier class on a space available basis.
(Exceptions will be handled by the Provost's Office at the Health
Education Center). At the time of application, minimum requirements must
be completed. Students must continue to meet the admission requirements
at the point of matriculation (enrollment).
Contact Information
HEC
Advising@spcollege.edu
(727) 341-3687
Program Goals and Objectives
Please follow the link.
Program Goals and Objectives to gain more insight about our program.
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