Physical Therapist Assistant at NC

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Name of Department: Physical Therapist Assistant

Name of Department Chair/Program Director: Sarah Austin, PT, DPT

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program helps prepare students to enter the field of physical therapy through academic and clinical studies. The PTA curriculum includes both classroom education at Navarro College and clinical training in traditional and non-traditional physical therapy practice settings. Upon successful completion of academic and clinical studies, students are awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam for physical therapy assistants provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). Additional employment requirements, such as state licensure, vary from state to state and among countries. Each student is encouraged to determine the additional employment requirements of the state or nation in which he or she wishes to work.

Program Approval and Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Navarro College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
American Physical Therapy Association
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
(703) 684-APTA (2782)
(800) 999-2782
(703) 684-7343 (fax)
www.capteonline.org

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See which states this program meets licensure/certification requirements »

NOTICE TO STUDENT REGARDING LICENSING (HB 1508)

Effective September 1st 2017, HB 1508 amends the Texas Occupations Code Section 53 that requires education providers to notify you a potential or enrolled student that a criminal history may make you ineligible for an occupational license upon program completion. The following website provides links to information about the licensing process and requirements. www.ptot.texas.gov Should you wish to request a review of the impact of criminal history on your potential PTA License prior to or during your quest for a degree, you can visit this link and request a “Criminal History Evaluation.” http://www.ptot.texas.gov/idl/5507F83A-E33A-9745-CF66-A40DECF58723 This information is being provided to all persons who apply or enroll in the program with notice of the requirements as described above, regardless of whether or not the person has been convicted of a criminal offense.  Additionally, HB 1508 authorizes licensing agencies to require reimbursements when a student fails to receive the required notice.

 

Career Destination Map

Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS)

Career Opportunities

Physical Therapist Assistant 

Marketable Skills

• Active Listening
• Complex Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking
• Equipment Maintenance
• Instructing
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Learning Strategies
• Management of Material Resources
• Operation and Control
• Quality Control Analysis
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Social Perceptiveness
• Service Orientation
• Time Management
• Technology Design
• Writing

Transfer Opportunities

University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston

• https://shp.utmb.edu/PhysicalTherapy/bridgeptadpt.asp

University of Findlay

• https://www.findlay.edu/health-professions/physical-therapy/weekend-pta-to-dpt-bridge-program

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Information about Complaints

The Navarro College Physical Therapist Assistant encourages individuals to bring forward information and/or complaints about violations of state or federal law, College policy, rules or regulations. Retaliation against any individual who, in good faith, reports or who participates in the investigation of alleged violations is strictly forbidden.

Complaints regarding the program can be addressed to the PTA Program Director, Sarah Austin at sarah.austin@navarrocollege.edu and / or Dean of Health Professions, Guy Featherston at guy.featherston@navarrocollege.edu.