Career Description
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems, or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, and more. PTAs must complete a 2-year associate's degree and are licensed health care providers. Examples of care provided by a PTA include (but are not limited to) teaching patients/clients exercise for mobility, strength and coordination, training for activities such as walking with crutches, canes, or walkers, massage, and the use of physical agents and electrotherapy such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
For a more complete description of careers in physical therapy, refer to the website of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Program Overview
BPCC's PTA Program consists of a Pre-PTA component and a Clinical component. Students may work at any pace (part time/full time) to complete the pre-PTA courses and other requirements. When the pre-PTA courses have been completed (with a “C” or better), students apply for admission to the clinical component. Applications for the clinical component of the program are taken each spring, with a new clinical class beginning each July. The program is designed so that a student may complete the pre-PTA component in 1-2 years and the clinical component in 13 months.
Program Curriculum (Courses Required)
| Pre-PTA (Qualification) Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| (must be completed prior to beginning clinical classes) | ||
| **ENGL 101: | Composition & Rhetoric I | 3 |
| **ENGL 102: | Composition & Rhetoric II | 3 |
| HMAN | Elective | 3 |
| **MATH 102: | College Algebra | 3 |
| **PHSC 105: | Elemental Physics | 3 |
| PSYC | Elective (PSYC 202, 220 or 225) | 3 |
| ZLGY 124: | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| ZLGY 124L: | Human Anatomy Lab | 1 |
| **ZLGY 125: | Human Physiology | 3 |
| **ZLGY 125L: | Human Physiology Lab | 1 |
| ALHT 109: | Health Care Systems/Safety | 2 |
| ZLGY 110: | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| Computer Literacy Requirement (competency exam or CIS 105) | ||
| Oral Communications Requirement (competency exam or SPCH 110 or 115) | ||
| **indicates course has prerequisite requirements | ||
| Total Pre-PTA Hours: | 31 | |
| Clinical PTA Courses | ||
| (Students are selected by committee to enter clinicals.) | ||
| First Summer Semester | Hours | |
| PTAP 200: | Functional Anatomy | 2 |
| PTAP 201: | Introduction to Physical Therapy | 1 |
| 3 | ||
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| PTAP 202: | Clinical Kinesiology | 4 |
| PTAP 203: | Orthopaedic Conditions | 3 |
| PTAP 204: | Physical Therapy Procedures | 3 |
| PTAP 205: | Therapeutic Modalities | 3 |
| PTAP 206: | Clinical Practice I | 3 |
| 16 | ||
| Spring Semester | Hours | |
| PTAP 212: | Clinical Neuroanatomy | 2 |
| PTAP 213: | Neurological Conditions | 3 |
| PTAP 214: | Therapeutic Exercise | 3 |
| PTAP 215: | Special Areas of Practice | 2 |
| PTAP 216: | Clinical Practice II | 4 |
| PTAP 217: | Comprehensive Interventions for the PTA | 1 |
| 15 | ||
| Second Summer Semester | Hours | |
| PTAP 226: | Clinical Practice III | 7 |
| Total clinical hours: | 41 | |
| Total credit hours: | 72 | |
Admission to the Program
The selection process for the PTA Program clinical component begins each spring. Students should be aware of the following requirements and procedures regarding clinical selection:
- Students must submit a completed PTA Clinical Application Packet by the application deadline of April 15th.
- Pre-PTA (qualification) courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the application year. In some situations, however, up to 3 credit hours may be completed in the first summer session (June session/session B) when available and with prior approval of the academic advisor.
- GPA in pre-PTA (qualification) courses must be 2.500 or higher and students must earn a “C” or better in all courses to be eligible for application.
- Students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of observation, volunteer or work experience in two different physical therapy settings under the supervision of two different licensed physical therapy providers by the application deadline.
- Interviews are conducted in early June of each year. Qualified applicants will be notified by mail of their scheduled interview day/time.
- 20 students per year are selected for the clinical component of the program.
Special Requirements
- Students who are selected for the clinical component of the PTA Program must be available for daytime, evening and occasional weekend classes.
- Clinical PTA students must be prepared to complete one or more full-time clinical rotation/externships (4-5 weeks in duration) at an out of town facility.
- Students selected for PTA clinicals must adhere to the BPCC Allied Health Clinical Requirements related to additional tests/immunications required, documentation submission and policies/procedures of the division/program.
- Students selected for PTA clinicals pay a clinical fee, in addition to regular tuition, each clinical semester.