NVCC 2006-2007 Catalog


     

ALLIED HEALTH AND NURSING CURRICULA


     

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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

 

___

 

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

 

___

 

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

       
 
       

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