College Catalog Programs of Study 2015-2016

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Offered through MEC

Purpose: The 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 healthcare 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 healthcare settings, including acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centers, contract agencies, and schools.

Transfer Information: Transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, but NOVA 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 academic advisor early in their program.

Admission Requirements: Applicants must do the following:
    • Comply with all general admission requirements for Allied Health Programs.
    • Attend a Physical Therapist Assistant information session. Call the program office at 703–822–6570 for scheduled dates or visit online.
    • Have completed NAS 150 Human Biology or BIO 141–142 Human Anatomy and Physiology I–II with a grade of “B” or higher.
    • Have completed HLT 141 Medical Terminology with a grade of “B” or higher.
    • Have a minimum 2.5 curricular GPA.
    • Be 18 years of age.
    • Complete ENG 111 with a grade of "B" or higher.
    • Have satisfactory scores on NOVA’s placement tests to qualify for MTH 151.
    • Successfully complete and achieve satisfactory scores on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) test. Students may only take the test three times. The latest result must be within two years of application to the PTA Program.
    • Submit the NOVA PTA Program Clinic Observation Form documenting the minimum requirement of 4 hours of observation in a PT clinic.

Special Accreditation Status: The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.

Program Application Requirements: Completion of the above steps constitutes a completed PTA program application. Completed PTA program applications will be accepted via certified mail to the Medical Education Student Services Center from March 1 through March 15 for the following semester. 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 the classroom, laboratory, and during clinical affiliations. Professional behavior must be consistent with the APTA Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant and the Generic Abilities outlined in the PTA Program Handbook. Behavior inconsistent with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant and/or the Generic Abilities will result in dismissal from the program.

Additional Requirements: In addition to the admission requirements for Allied Health Programs, upon acceptance students must complete a basic first aid course prior to admission into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

Transfer Placement: PTA credits earned at other institutions are reviewed by the assistant dean to determine if any course substitutions may be made within the curriculum. Students who wish to transfer to NOVA’s PTA program will be required to satisfactorily complete a skill competency assessment prior to acceptance into the program. Transfer students must be in good academic standing and provide a written reference from the director of their program as well as a clinical instructor. Transfer students must meet all PTA program application and admission requirements.

Laboratory Examination Requirements: Each student must achieve a minimum passing score of 75% on each laboratory practical exam. In the event that a lab practical is failed, a maximum of one reexamination, per examination will be permitted. A student who does not achieve a 75% or greater on the second attempt will fail the class and be administratively withdrawn from the program.

Reenrollment:
  1. Students in good standing may be permitted to reenroll 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 reentering 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 (125–007) signed by the primary physician responsible for their healthcare.

  Credits
Prerequisites
ENG 111 College Composition I 3
HLT 141 Intro to Medical Terminology 1
1NAS 150 Human Biology 4
Total   8
Two Years Credits
1st Semester
PTH 105 Intro to Physical Therapy 3
PTH 121 Therapeutic Procedures I 5
PTH 151 Musculoskeletal Structure and Function 5
SDV 101 Orientation to Healthcare 1
Total   14
2nd Semester
PED 220 Adult Health and Development 2
2PSY 200 Principles of Psychology 3
PTH 115 Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant 5
PTH 122 Therapeutic Procedures II 5
Total   15
3rd Semester
3MTH Elective 3
PTH 131 Clinical Education I 3
Total   6
4th Semester
4___ Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3
PTH 225 Rehabilitation Procedures 5
PTH 231 Clinical Education II 5
Total   13
5th Semester
PTH 210 Psychological Aspects of Therapy 2
PTH 227 Pathological Conditions 3
PTH 232 Clinical Education III 5
PTH 245 Professional Issues 3
Total   13
Total credits for the Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S.=69 (includes 8 prerequisite credits)

1 BIO 141–142 Human Anatomy and Physiology I-II may be substituted for NAS 150. Although students who have graduated with a transfer-oriented A.A., A.S., or A.A. & S. degree or any baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education will have most of their general education considered as fulfilled, they must meet the math and science requirements specified for this program. Exceptions must be approved by the division dean responsible for the student’s curriculum.

2 May substitute PSY 201–202

3 Select from any MTH course 151 or above.

4 See humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives.