About PTA

In this Section

Institutional Mission

The mission of �ڰ�� (�ڰ��) is to foster individual, Community and economic development through transformative lifelong learning. In keeping with the mission of the college, the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program will provide a high standard of quality academic and clinical opportunities that enable graduates to become competent, caring, and qualified entry-level physical therapist assistants. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the PTA licensure exam offered by the Federation of the Board of Physical Therapy and ultimately eligible for licensure in North Carolina.

PTA Mission

In keeping with the stated purpose of �ڰ��, the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program strives to produce physical therapist assistants who, under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, reflect the highest standards of practice and conduct within the profession of physical therapy.

PTA Vision

The �ڰ�� PTA Program will be recognized in the region, state, and nation as a quality PTA educational program with superlative faculty members, staff, and students dedicated to paving the pathway for our community, college, staff, and profession.

PTA Philosophy

To complete our programmatic mission, we must prepare students to practice safe, competent, patient-centered care in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing health care system. We seek to provide full and equal access to opportunities for educational success to meet the community needs.

We believe that physical therapy is a dynamic profession, blending science with the use of evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning and the art of caring and compassion to provide quality, patient-centered care.

We believe learning is an interactive process in which faculty and students share responsibility to meet program outcomes. We believe in using educational methods that are current and supportive of students in the teaching and learning environment. Learning is enhanced by the presentation of information from simple to complex.

PTA Learning Objectives

Demonstrate safe, efficient, efficacious interventions, under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, in a legal, ethical, and competent manner as a PTA.
1. The �ڰ�� PTA program will achieve at least an 85% annual pass rate on the National Physical Therapy EXAM (NPTE).
2. A minimum of 90% of licensed PTA graduates seeking employment will be employed as a PTA within one year of graduation.
3. A minimum of 80% of responses on Employer Surveys will rate the �ڰ�� PTA graduates as being adequately prepared for entry into practice, with relation to safety, efficiency, and efficacious interventions.
Demonstrate the professional and core values of an entry-level PTA.
1. 100% of students will be assessed at “entry-level” on all CPI criteria during clinical education experiences prior to graduation.
2. A minimum of 80% of responses on Employer Surveys will rate �ڰ�� PTA graduates as being adequately prepared or higher for entry into practice, with relation to professionalism.
Recognize the importance of maintaining competence in applicable areas of physical therapy practice through a commitment to professional development, life-long learning, and the utilization of resources to provide high-value physical therapy services.
1. 75% of PTA Program licensed graduates will report participation in continuing competence activities and professional development to adhere to NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners’ continuing competency requirements in the One-Year Graduate Follow-Up Survey.
2. A minimum of 80% of responses on Employer Surveys will rate �ڰ�� PTA graduates as being adequately prepared or higher for entry into practice, with relation to professional development, life-long learning, and utilization of resources.
Demonstrate effective communication skills in a culturally competent manner with patients and their families/caregivers, other healthcare providers, and the public.
1. A minimum of 80% of responses on Employer Surveys will rate �ڰ�� PTA graduates as being adequately prepared for entry into practice, with relation to communication skills.
2. A minimum of 80% of responses on Student Graduate Surveys will report “Agree” or higher regarding the ability to communicate in a culturally competent manner.

PTA Goals

Provide a contemporary and comprehensive curriculum blending didactic and clinical education in accordance with CAPTE and the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy guidelines, and �ڰ��’s mission.
1. 100% of core faculty will participate in continuing competence activities and professional development each year to adhere to NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners’ continuing competence and College requirements.
2. A minimum of 80% of responses on Student Exit Surveys and Graduate Surveys will report “Agree” or higher regarding a contemporary and comprehensive curriculum.
3. A minimum of 90% of the PTA Program Advisory Board members will report satisfaction with the outlined curriculum on the annual survey. d. The attrition rate of enrolled students in the PTA Program will be 30% or less per cohort.
Graduate competent, ethical, and professional entry-level physical therapist assistants able to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
1. 100% of students will be assessed at “entry-level” on all CPI criteria during clinical education experiences prior to graduation.
2. A minimum of 85% pass rate among graduates who sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) annually.
3. A minimum of 90% of licensed PTA graduates seeking employment will be employed in-field within one year of graduation.
4. A minimum of 80% of responses on Employer Surveys will rate �ڰ�� PTA graduates as being adequately prepared for entry into practice.
Promote the importance of lifelong learning and involvement in order to support the profession of physical therapy, College, and the PTA program.
1. 100% of full-time PTA program faculty will participate in educational opportunities and or meetings to integrate current professional physical therapy research, topics, and current issues into the curriculum.
2. 100% of core faculty will participate in continuing competence activities and professional development each year to adhere to NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners continuing competence and College requirements.
3. 100% of full-time PTA program faculty will maintain membership in the APTA and APTA NC.
Function as an integral part of the College through faculty participation in committee assignments, professional development, promotion of student involvement, and recruitment activities.
1. 100% of full-time PTA Program faculty will serve on a College committee.
2. 100% of full-time PTA Program faculty will participate in PTA Program faculty meetings during the semester(s) they are instructing.
3. 100% of PTA faculty members will serve on the PTA Program Advisory Board.

�ڰ�������