Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate of Applied Science
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 2004 we accepted 20 students plus 2 alternates and 20 matriculated. In 2005 there were 20 original students plus 4 alternates accepted with a class of 20 matriculating. In 2006 we accepted 22 and 21 students matriculated. - GRADUATION RATE:
2005, 2006, 2007 graduation rates were 60%, 70%, and 75 % respectively. Students did not complete the program for various reasons including academic, financial, personal or medical reasons. - EMPLOYMENT RATE 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:
2004, 2005, and 2006 classes have a 100% pass rates on the FSBPT board exam for state licensure for PTAs. Full results for the 2007 class 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, Bradley County Memorial Hospital, Bradley Rehabilitation, Bradley Rehabilitation Center at Cleveland YMC, Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, Cleveland Community Hospital, Contin-U-Care Home Health, Inc., East Ridge Hospital, Erlanger Health System, Grandview Medical Center, 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, 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, National Healthcare of Rossville, National Health Care of Chattanooga, National Health Care of Fort Oglethorpe, National Health Care Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation, Ocoee Physical Therapy Inc., Parkridge Health System Inc., Patrick Rehabilitation Wellness, Physical Therapy Associates of Chattanooga, Rehab South, Senior Neighbors-Boynton Center, Signal Centers Inc., Siskin Hospital of Physical Rehabilitation, Stone Creek Elementary, Summitt Rehab, Sweetwater Hospital Association, TC Thompson Children's Hospital, Therapy Consultants, Tri State Orthopedic and Rehabilitation, Walker County Board of Education
The American Physical Therapy Association