Associate in Science Degree

(74 Credit Hours)

Program Director

Bruce Wassung
941-752-5340
WassunB@SCF.edu

Program Goal

Graduates of the program will become physical therapist assistants (PTA’s), who are skilled health care providers working under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. The PTA assists the physical therapist in implementing and performing treatment programs, teaching exercises and functional activities to improve the patient’s abilities and communicating the patient’s responses to the physical therapist.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take the national Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy licensing examination to become a licensed physical therapist assistant.

The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association, located at 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085. CAPTE’s phone number is (800) 999-2782.

Program Learning Outcomes

•  Use knowledge and skills to provide optimal physical therapy services for culturally diverse clients throughout the lifespan.
  •  Assist the physical therapist in gathering assessment data through the use of interviewing skills, screening mechanisms, and testing procedures.
  •  Collaborate with the client, significant others, therapist, and other members of the health team to develop and individualized plan of care.
  •  Implement the plan of care correctly and safely, by engaging clients in prevention, treatment intervention, rehabilitation, and client and family education related to disability or dysfunction.
  •  Identify individual client needs and use available resources to assist in meeting those needs.
  •  Participate with the client, significant others, therapist, and other members of the health team in evaluating the individual’s progress toward meeting identified goals.
•  Use the processes of communication, organization, and collaboration to assist in managing physical therapy services.
  •  Establish positive professional relationships in the health care setting.
  •  Use communication skills in interacting with clients and their significant others to foster the individual’s progress toward meeting identified goals.
  •  Communicate orally and document in writing, client responses to treatment interventions.
  •  Demonstrate effective management skills in planning and implementing physical therapy programs.
•  Incorporate values and attitudes congruent with the profession’s standards and ethics.
  •  Maintain confidentiality of client information.
  •  Use the APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist Assistant to guide professional practice.
  •  Follow the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.
  •  Assume responsibility for making professional decisions and practicing within the ethical and legal framework for the physical therapist assistant.
• Use resources for continued personal and professional growth.

Program Application and Eligibility Requirements

1.     Minimum earned grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on ALL completed general education courses required by the PTA program.

2.     Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better by the application deadline.

• BSC 2085C - Anatomy and Physiology I   *
• BSC 2085L- Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory  
• ENC 1101- Written Communication I   *
• PSY 2012 - General Psychology   *
• Mathematics Choose from Category A, Area II, A.S.  . *

3.     A completed PTA Program application and payment of a one-time PTA Program application fee of $35. (A separate application is required for admission to the College.)

              *  NOTE: Students accepted into the PTA program are required to complete all PTA Core Courses (PHT) with a minimum grade of “C” to remain enrolled in the program.

Upon acceptance, the following are required:

1. A statement of satisfactory physical and mental health and a record of current serum titers or inoculations verifying immunity from communicable diseases from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner. (Form will be provided upon acceptance to the program.)
2. A criminal background check (form to be provided upon acceptance to the program) and drug screen.
3. Successful completion of the Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider course offered through the American Heart Association.
4. Mandatory attendance at the Physical Therapist Assistant Program orientation. (Date to be announced.)

Students are admitted to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program ONCE  per year in the Fall term. This is a limited enrollment program. Completion of all or part of the general academic coursework toward the degree does not guarantee acceptance into the program. If there are more qualified applicants than available seats in the program, selection will be based on the GPA for and number of completed program-required general education courses. For additional program and admissions information, check the website scf.edu/PTA.