Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) - Surry Community College

Senior Patient and physical therapist in rehabilitation walking exercises

Program Overview

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.

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: https://www.capteonline.org/. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 336-386-3513 or email colemanei@surry.edu.

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

Applicants are required to complete the TEAS Test along with additional requirements before applying. Taking the TEAS test does not necessarily qualify students for admission into the PTA program.

Fall PTA students must turn in all materials by May 31.

	2020	2021	2022	2021/2022
Graduation Rate	94%	100%	75%	87.5%
First Time Pass Rate	100%	87.5%	90.9%	89.2%
Ultimate Pass Rate	100%	82.3%	90.9%	86.1%
Employment Rate	100%	100%	91.6%	95.8%
*These numbers are based on applicants who meet all minimum criteria necessary to be considered for admission to the PTA Program.

Resources:

Technical Standards:

Physical Therapy Assistant

Program Contacts:

Dr. Eileen Coleman

Director - Physical Therapist Assistant

(336) 386-3513

colemanei@surry.edu

Jessica Lawrence

Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education

(336) 386-3289

lawrencejk@surry.edu

Degree Curriculum

Fall Semester

WBL-110 World of Work 1

BIO-168 Anatomy and Physiology I 4

MAT-152 Statistical Methods I 4

PTA-110 Intro to Physical Therapy 3

PTA-130 Physical Therapy Procedures I 3

PTA-170 Pathophysiology 3

Spring Semester

BIO-169 Anatomy and Physiology II 4

ENG-111 Writing and Inquiry 3

PSY-150 General Psychology 3

PTA-120 Functional Anatomy 3

PTA-140 Therapeutic Exercise 4

PTA-150 Physical Therapy Procedures II 3

Summer Semester

PTA-180 PTA Clinical Ed Intro 3

PTA-212 Health Care/Resources 2

PTA-252 Geriatrics for the PTA 2

PTA-254 Pediatrics for the PTA 1

Fall Semester

ENG-112 Writing and Research in the Disciplines 3

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3

PTA-160 Physical Therapy Procedures III 3

PTA-222 Professional Interactions 2

PTA-240 Physical Therapy Procedures IV 5

Spring Semester

PTA-260AB/BB Adv. PTA Clinical Ed. 10

PTA-270 PTA Topics 1

PTA-280 PTA Issues I 1

Total credits needed to graduate: 74 Hours

Students on financial aid should speak with their financial aid advisors before enrolling in less than 12 credit hours per semester.

Learning Outcomes

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.

The goals of the PTA Program are to prepare graduates who:

Demonstrate competence in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective processes necessary to provide physical therapy services under the supervision of a physical therapist.
Demonstrate professional behaviors of respect, integrity, and honesty in all interactions with patients/clients, family members, caregivers, supervising physical therapists, coworkers, other health care providers, students, other consumers, employers, and payers.
Demonstrate behaviors that establish the primacy of patient safety.
Communicate effectively verbally, non-verbally, and in writing.
Identify and modify a career development plan along with lifelong learning opportunities.
Locate relevant physical therapy-related information using information technology and demonstrate the ability to read, understand and apply health care literature to promote evidence-based practice.