A.A.S. Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (A45620)

The Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum prepares graduates to work in direct patient care settings under 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.

Coursework 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. Clinical Education is provided at cooperating hospitals, public healthcare facilities, and private physical therapy centers.

Graduates may be eligible to take the licensure examination administered by the NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Employment is available in general hospitals, rehabilitation centers, extended care facilities, specialty hospitals, home health agencies, private clinics, and public school systems.

Students entering clinical externships (usually in their last two semesters) may be required by the clinical site to provide a criminal background check and a drug screening test before or during each rotation. A criminal history or positive drug screen may preclude the student from being placed for clinical rotation and therefore prevent the student from finishing the degree or diploma. A positive drug screen during the rotation will result in a failing grade for that clinical and will prevent the student from continuing in the program.

Program Eligibility

Eligibility for acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant program will be determined using the following scoring system:

Careers

Graduates may be eligible to take the licensure examination administered by the NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Employment is available in general hospitals, rehabilitation centers, extended care facilities, specialty hospitals, home health agencies, private clinics, and public school systems.

Facilities

MCC's Physical Therapist Assistant program utilizes state of the art equipment for instruction in therapeutic exercise and soft tissue treatments. The list of equipment includes computerized ultrasound, electrical stimulation, mechanical traction, whirlpools, computerized tread mills and step machines, and electronic isokinetic equipment. Classroom instruction is enhanced with multi-media and computer technology in the form of interactive software, and multi-media computer displays.

CAPTE Authorized Statement of Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Martin 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: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 252-789-0265 or email dean.mccall@martincc.edu.

Complaints Received Outside of Due Process

Complaints against the PTA program may be directed to the office of the MCC President (tm06267@martincc.edu) where a written record will be kept of the complaint and the appropriate action taken. A complaint against the MCC PTA program may also be filed at the NC Board of PT Examiners at http://www.ncptboard.org and the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association at http://www.ncpt.org.

PTA Program Performance Measures

PTA program acceptance rate, matriculation rate, graduation rate, employment rate and licensure exam passing rate will be placed on the http://www.martincc.edu web site. The licensure exam passing rate is already on the website under the title of performance measures. To see specific MCC PTA program performance measures, view this file: MCC PTA Program Performance Measures

Program and Faculty Goals

• The PTA Program will retain 80% or better of total amount of admitted students as evidenced by matriculation and graduation data.
• The PTA Program will have 100% pass rate for PTA 260, demonstrating skills and techniques for entry into the profession as a graduate PTA as evidenced by course completion and grading.
• The PTA Program Faculty will work to become the premier program in the region as evidenced by data collection in areas of program excellence in didactics, clinical internships, licensure passing rates, and employability.