Physical Therapist Assistant

Curriculum Description

The Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum prepares graduates to work in direct patient care settings under the supervision of physical therapists. Assistants work to improve or restore function by alleviation or prevention of physical impairment and perform other essential activities in a physical therapy department.

Course work includes normal human anatomy and physiology, the consequences of disease or injury, and physical therapy treatment of a variety of patient conditions affecting humans throughout the life span.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will provide safe, effective, and patient-centered physical therapist assistant services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist, demonstrating respect for patient/client differences and preferences.

a. Students will participate in at least 15 hours of community outreach programs and service-learning opportunities to address health disparities and support social mobility within the communities served.

b. Students will demonstrate the primacy of safety during didactic education by passing all skill checks (100% pass rate, graded pass/fail) and lab practical exams with >77% in preparation for clinical education rotations.

c. Students will demonstrate entry-level proficiency in all categories of the Clinical Performance Instrument (CPI) by the end of the terminal clinical rotation.

2. Upon program completion, graduates will be proficient in delivering professional, compassionate, culturally competent, respectful and individualized patient care, working collaboratively with licensed physical therapists to achieve optimal outcomes as measured by:

a. The program’s ultimate pass rates on the National Physical Therapy Examination will be at least eighty-five percent.

b. At least ninety percent of job-seeking graduates will attain employment in the field within one year of graduation.

c. At least ninety-five percent of employer surveys will indicate that graduates provide safe, equitable, innovative patient care in diverse clinical settings, in accordance with the mission of Surry Community College and the PTA program.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates may be eligible to take the licensure examination administered by the NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. (A student with a felony may not be eligible for licensure or employment). Employment is available in general hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, specialty hospitals, home health agencies, private clinics, and public school systems.

Competitive admissions are anticipated for a challenging program that leads to an intensely-satisfying career. The program will admit a maximum of 16 students each Fall Semester.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Surry Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: CAPTE Online.

Complaints outside of due process must be provided in writing, signed by the author, and submitted to the attention of the Program Director. If the complaint concerns the Program Director, contact the Dean of Health Sciences.

Contact

Jessica Lawrence
Director of Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Email: lawrencejk@surry.edu
Phone: (336) 386-3289

Completion Information

Each Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) course must be successfully completed in order to progress to subsequent PTA courses.

PTA students prohibited from participating in a clinical internship based on their criminal background check or drug screening will be dismissed from the PTA program due to their inability to progress.

Location

This program is only offered at the Yadkin Center.

Programs

• Physical Therapist Assistant Degree (A45620)