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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 assist the physical therapist in the provision of physical therapy services. 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
NVCC has a formal articulation agreement for transfer to the B.S. in Health Sciences-Health Care Management at Old Dominion University TELETECHNET and B.H.S. at George Mason University.

Students must comply with all General Admission Requirements for Mecial Education Campus Allied Health Programs. (See page 91.)

Program Admission Process
To be admitted to the PTA program, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

	Satisfactory completion of anatomy and physiology. NAS 150 with a grade of "C" or better is required. BIO 141-142 or NAS 161-162 may be substituted for NAS 150.
	Attendance at PTA Program Information Session.
	A GPA of 2.0 at last school attended.
	18 years of age or older.
	Satisfactory scores on NVCC placement tests to qualify for ENG 111 and MTH 151.

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 1st for the following Fall semester. Acceptance is determined on a first-come-first-served basis. Students are notified in writing of acceptance into the program following submission of a completed application.

In addition to the Admission Requirements for Medical Education Campus Allied Health Programs, students must complete a basic first aid course and CPR course prior to admission to any PTH courses.

Professional Standards Requirements
Students are expected to consistently demonstrate professional behavior consistent with the APTA Code of Ethics for Affiliate member and Generic Abilities. Behavior inconsistent with the Code of Ethics and/or the Generic Abilities will result in dismissal from the program.

Advanced Placement Admission
The program makes every effort to acknowledge previously completed physical therapy education. Students seeking advanced placement, e.g., military physical therapy technicians, should contact the program head 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.

Re-Enrollment

	Students are permitted to re-enroll in the PTA curriculum on a space available basis.
	Students who leave the program for any period up to two years 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 may be required.
	Students who leave the program for two years or more must re-apply to the program.
	Students who leave the program 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 Health Technology form (NVCC 125-007) signed by the primary physician responsible for care.