A.A.S. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Program Description
A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a health care worker who works under the supervision of a physical therapist (PT). The PTA Program curriculum goal is to provide a quality comprehensive course of study(didactic and clinical) for students who wish to provide patient/client care in physical therapy as a PTA. The program is 4 semesters in length once a student is accepted into the program. Typically, students take longer to complete the program because they spend 1 - 2 semesters in support courses such as Anatomy and Physiology, or Physics. Taking these courses early does give the applicant an advantage and helps to decrease the academic load in the PTA program. Students usually prefer this arrangement because it tends to result in more successful program completion. Program standards are in place to assure that students have the potential to safely and competently perform as entry-level practitioners. Upon completion of the physical therapist assistant program, the student is eligible to take the state licensing examination.
Program Outcomes
-
Acceptance and Matriculation Rates:
Students who are accepted to the PTA program usually follow-through with enrollment in the program. We will have an occasional alternate who is accepted when one or more of the accepted students declines the position in the class. In 2010 we accepted 24 students plus 2 alternates and 24 matriculated. In 2009 there were 24 original students plus 4 alternates accepted with a class of 24 matriculating. -
Graduation Rate:
2008, 2009, 2010 graduation rates were 70%, 85% and 85% respectively. Students did not complete the program for various reasons including academic, financial, personal or medical reasons. -
Employment Rates of Graduates:
Of the previous three classes, all students have been offered employment (either part time or full time) once they passed their board exams. -
Pass Rate On Licensing Exam:
Students taking the licensing exam from the classes of 2007, 2008, and 2009 have had a 100% pass rates on the FSBPT board PTA exam for state licensure. All data for 2010 graduates have not been received.
Clinical Affiliates
Alexian Brothers Pace Program, Alexian Village Health Care Center, Amedisys Home Health, Athens Regional Medical Center, Athens Regional Rehabilitation Center, Benchmark Physical Therapy (multiple locations), Bradley Rehabilitation, Bradley Rehabilitation Center at Cleveland YMCA, Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, Contin-U-Care Home Health, Inc., Erlanger Health System, Grandview Medical Center, Gordon Hospital, Hamilton Medical Center, Health Center at Standifer Place, Healthsouth Rehabilitation Center of Chattanooga, Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Hutcheson Home Health, Hutcheson Medical Center, Kindred Hospital Chattanooga, LaFayette Physical Therapy, Life Care Center of Athens, Life Care Center of Chattanooga, Life Care Center of Cleveland, Life Care Center of Collegedale, Life Care Center of East Ridge, Life Care Center of Red Bank, Life Fitness Rehabilitation at Erlanger North, Life Fitness Rehabilitation-East, Memorial Health Care System, Memorial Home Health, Moffett Rehabilitation Center, National Healthcare of Rossville, National Health Care of Chattanooga, National Health Care of Fort Oglethorpe, North River Physical Therapy, Ocoee Physical Therapy Inc., Parkridge Health System Inc., Pediatric Plus, Physical Therapy Associates of Chattanooga, Rehab South, Signal Centers Inc., Signature Health Care, Siskin Hospital of Physical Rehabilitation, Skyridge Medical Center, Soddy Daisy Health Care, Stone Creek Elementary, Sweetwater Hospital Association, TC Thompson Children Hospital, The Bridge at Monte Eagle, The Bridge at South Pittsburg, Therapy Works, Trenton Physical Therapy Associates, Tri State Orthopedic and Rehabilitation, Walker County Schools (other contracts may be pending)For more information about this field, visit:
The American Physical Therapy Association
