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A.S. Degree, Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
Degree Type: AS
Major Code: PTA-AS
CIP: 1317081500
The Physical Therapist Assistant is a skilled health care worker who implements treatment programs under the direction and delegation of a Physical Therapist. These treatment programs are concerned with health promotion, the prevention of physical disabilities, and the treatment and rehabilitation of persons ill, injured, and/or born with disabilities. Some duties include reading patient charts, transferring patients, assisting the patient in exercise and ambulation, applying physical agents such as heat, cold and electrical stimulation to specific muscles, instructing the patient and caregiver in functional skills, and observing and reporting changes in a patient's condition to the Physical Therapist. Physical Therapist Assistants work in settings where Physical Therapists are employed.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), American Physical Therapy Association. Graduates of this accredited PTA program receive the Associate in Science degree for the Physical Therapist Assistant and are eligible for licensure after successfully passing the National Physical Therapy Exam and the State Laws and Rules Exam.
This is a limited-access/quota program. Candidates must:
- apply and be accepted to Seminole Community College and complete the College Placement Test (CPT) or equivalent, if necessary;
- complete a minimum of 20 recent hours of observation, volunteer service, or work experience in more than one Physical Therapy Department; more than 20 hours is recommended.
- provide their MySCC unofficial transcript to indicate:
- successful completion (a grade of C or better) in the required General Education courses;
- an overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale;
- Students from other accredited colleges (NOT SCC) must provide official transcripts for evaluation to the Office of Student Records four months prior to the intended date of application. Once evaluation of transcripts is completed it may be downloaded from the SCC Web site by logging into MySCC using user name and password.
- complete a minimum of four of seven general education courses with a C or better:
- English I,
- Anatomy and Physiology I,
- College Algebra or higher level MAC or MAP prefix course that meets the General Education requirement;
- either one course in Humanities category or one in either Psychology/Sociology category. The remaining three courses may be taken as co-requisites during the PTA program;
- English II;
- Anatomy and Physiology II;
- the remaining Humanities or Psychology/Sociology course
- Submit the completed PTA Program application packet (available for download at http://www.scc-fl.edu/PTA) by May 31 with all attachments: MySCC unofficial transcripts, PTA Program Application Form, and forms documenting work/volunteer or observation experience. The most competitive candidates will exceed the basic minimums in all areas (GPA, observation hours, numbers and types of sites, and prerequisites completed). All PTA students will be required to complete an FBI criminal background check. Students must be free of offenses which could potentially disqualify them from working in a healthcare environment (Florida Statute 400.211) and potentially interfere with clinical assignment to these healthcare sites and licensure.
| Major Courses |
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| PHT1000 | Introduction to Physical Therapy
This course introduces the new PTA student to the Physical Therapy profession and the ever-changing healthcare field. The emphasis is upon 1) becoming a health professional and 2) understanding the role of the PTA in the healthcare system with regard to the role of team members, legal/ethical issues, medical terminology/documentation, infection control, stress/wellness management, client safety and security issues, self evaluation and communication skills. Lab fee required. | 2 |
| PHT1120 | Functional Kinesiology
This course covers functional anatomy and its underlying theories and applications as they pertain to physical therapy. Contents include anatomical terminology, anatomical systems overview, basic biomechanics, regional musculoskeletal anatomy, gait, posture and arthrokinematics. | 3 |
| PHT1120L | Functional Kinesiology Lab
This course is the laboratory companion to PHT 1120. In this course students learn the skills of assessment as they pertain to the functional anatomy. These skills include, but are not limited to, muscle and skeletal palpation, postural and gait assessment, goniometry, and manual muscle testing and motion analysis. Students will also apply the above skills in clinically relevant scenarios. Lab fee required. | 2 |
| PHT1200 | Basic Patient Care
This is an introductory course to the field of physical therapy including role orientation, professional organizational structure, and modality principles used for basic patient care and disease processes. Legal and ethical issues will be explored relative to the physician, registered physical therapist and the patient. Lab fee required. | 2 |
| PHT1200L | Basic Patient Care Laboratory
This is a laboratory course in which the student practices activities and modalities basic to the care of patients in health agencies. Focus is on the development of manual dexterity for patient safety and comfort. Lab fee required. | 2 |
| PHT1213 | Physical Therapy Principles and Procedures
This course builds on all concepts presented in Term I and integrates those contents with new concepts and treatment skills such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, hydro-therapy, and pelvic and cervical traction. | 3 |
| PHT1213L | Physical Therapy Principles and Procedures Laboratory
This course provides the laboratory practice for those contents presented in PHT 1200. Includes competency-based skill checks and practical exams. Lab fee required. | 2 |
| PHT1801C | Pre-Clinical Practice I Integration
This course, offered prior to the student's first clinical internship, builds upon and integrates prior course content with an introduction to a broad selection of commonly seen medical and surgical conditions and their rehabilitation methods. Common treatment procedures, including precautions and possible complications encountered are emphasized and addressed in both lecture and lab practice format. | 4 |
| PHT1800L | Physical Therapy Clinical Practice I
This is the first full-time clinical course in a series of three clinical courses. It consists of a six-week supervised experience in a physical therapy clinic, and occurs after two semesters of didactic course work. Primary emphasis is upon: 1) gaining hands-on clinical practice in the skills covered during the first two semesters by providing exposure to clients with a variety of diagnoses; 2) facilitating communication skills (written and non-written); and 3) challenging the student's problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Lab fee required. | 5 |
| PHT2224 | Therapeutic Exercise I
This course will emphasize the basics of therapeutic exercise including affective, cognitive and psychomotor performance of passive, active-assistive, active, resistive, and stretching exercises. It will explore the variety of ways these exercises may be performed (manual vs. mechanical), and considerations leading to modification (stage of tissue state and recovery, subjective and objective findings). Prior and concurrent knowledge and skills will be incorporated and utilized throughout. | 1 |
| PHT2224L | Therapeutic Exercise I Lab
This course provides laboratory time for practice of exercise techniques and development of problem-solving skills required in modification of treatments within the PTA's scope of practice as presented in PHT 2224. It includes competency-based skill checks and lab tests which focus on demonstration of the appropriate manual and physical dexterity, and accurate determination of the appropriate exercise and intensity required by the patient. Students learn procedures that are safe, efficient, and effective for the patient and care giver. | 2 |
| PHT2228 | Therapeutic Exercise II
This course builds on all concepts presented in PHT 2224 and PHT 2224L and integrates those concepts with new concepts. Problem-solving and treatment of a variety of orthopedic conditions introduced in PHT 2310 (both surgical and non-surgical) are emphasized. Rehabilitation for a variety of specific patient disorders such as cancer, diabetes, PVD, pulmonary, cardiac, burns and geriatrics, are also discussed. | 2 |
| PHT2228L | Therapeutic Exercise II Laboratory
This course provides laboratory time for practice of exercise techniques presented in PHT 2112. Lab fee required. | 2 |
| PHT2162 | Neurological Disabilities and Treatments
This course provides information on common adult neurologic disorders and pediatric disorders. Emphasis is placed on etiology, pathology, and clinical picture of conditions, such as Parkinsons, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, CVA, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. Common testing, medical procedures, rehabilitation, and prognosis of the conditions are integrated into the discussions. Scientific concepts introduced in the prior year as well as during pre-requisites are also discussed: neurophysiology, psychology, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. | 2 |
| PHT2162L | Neurological Disabilities and Treatments Lab
This course provides laboratory time for practice of neurorehabilitative techniques and care presented in PHT 2162. It includes competency-based skill checks and lab practicals which focus on demonstration of appropriate manual and physical dexterity in conjunction with good problem-solving skills. Students handle conditions discussed in PHT 2162 in a manner which is safe, effective, and efficient for the patient and their caregiver. | 2 |
| PHT2310 | Orthopedic Disabilities and Treatment
This course provides basic information on common orthopedic disabilities encountered in physical therapy practice. Emphasis is placed on the etiology, pathology and clinical picture of conditions, such as arthritis, scoliosis, amputations, fractures, low back pain and burns. Physical therapy modalities, procedures (including surgical) commonly used for each disability and prognosis are integrated into the discussions. Scientific concepts introduced in the prior year (as well as in pre-requisites) including inflammation, psychology, musculoskeletal and nervous systems are reviewed and built upon. | 3 |
| PHT2810L | Physical Therapy Clinical Practice II
This course focuses on intermediate clinical experience in selected patient care activities under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant. Problem-solving techniques are employed in the evaluation and execution of patient care plans. Lab fee required. | 5 |
| PHT2820L | Physical Therapy Clinical Practice III
This is the third full-time clinical course in a series of three clinical courses. This course is scheduled for the last five weeks of the curriculum (prior to graduation). This third internship is designed to refine, complement, and supplement those skills the student has developed in his/her two prior internships. This clinical follows coursework which has emphasized skills on all client populations as well as specialized populations - clients with central nervous system problems, the geriatric population, and/or the pediatric population. | 5 |
| PHT2931 | Trends in Physical Therapy
This is a seminar course exploring the trends affecting the profession of physical therapy. The role of the professional team, legal and ethical issues and familiarization with test-taking strategies for licensure are also discussed. | 2 |
| General Education Courses |
|---|
| BSC2093C | Anatomy and Physiology I
An integrated two-semester laboratory-oriented study of human anatomy and physiological function. Emphasis is placed on presenting accurate and significant information on the body systems and their interrelationships to structure and physiology. Recommended for students planning to pursue programs in nursing, allied health sciences, and physical education. Lab fee required. | 4 |
| BSC2094C | Anatomy and Physiology II
A continuation of BSC 2093C. Lab fee required. | 4 |
| ENC1101 | English I
This is a course in the process of expository writing. Students will read essays and compose papers that are unified, organized, logically developed and supported, clearly stated, and well-focused. Research techniques are introduced and incorporated into at least one composition. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of C or higher. | 3 |
| ENC1102 | English II
In this course students develop the ability to read literary texts critically, to think logically and creatively, and to write and research effectively. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of C or higher. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. | 3 |
| MAC1105 | College Algebra
This course is a study of the fundamental topics in advanced algebra with emphasis on applications, the understanding of the function concept, and manipulative skills. Major topics include operations on algebraic expressions and complex numbers; solving polynomial equations and inequalities, absolute value equations and inequalities, and rational equations and inequalities; applications; functions; exponents and logarithms; graphs of polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions; and systems of equations and inequalities. The use of graphing calculators will be incorporated throughout the course. This course partially satisfies the mathematics requirement (S.B.E. 6A-10.030). | 3 |
| or higher level MAC or MAP prefix course that meets the General Education requirements. |
| Humanities General Education course | 3 |
| Psychology or Sociology General Education course | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 74 |
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