| Program
Information
What does a Physical Therapy Assistant
do?
About the Program
Program Cost
Potential
Earnings
Class Size
Pre-requisites
Core Courses
Program Hours
Working Sites
Accreditation Status
Licensure Examination
Florida Licensure
Program Manager
APTA Web site
What
does a Physical Therapist Assistant do?
A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) works as a member of
a health care team that provides direct patient care. PTAs
work under the direct supervision of a licensed Physical
Therapist to provide hands-on treatment of patients to relieve
pain and improve function. Various therapeutic modes of
treatment may be utilized, including heat, cold, light,
water, electricity, sound, massage, and exercise. PTAs may
work in hospitals, impatient/outpatient rehab centers, school
system, and orthopedic and sports medicine clinics, and
home health care agencies among other qualified settings.
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About
The Program
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a 74 credit
hour program. There are 29 credit hours of program core
courses including 17 credit hours of general education.
Included within the professional courses are three clinical
experiences. Graduation from the program qualifies the student
for examination for licensure by the Florida Board of Physical
Therapy.
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Program
Cost
The approximate cost of the program is $8,898.00. This cost
includes course fees, books, and uniforms. back
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Potential
Earnings
Physical Therapist Assistants salaries range from $33,000-$55,000
depending on the region and/or type of setting. back
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Class
Size
Students are admitted to the PTA Program by a selective
admission process with 18 students accepted once a year.
Students seeking admission must first be admitted to the
college and complete prerequisite courses. back
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Pre-requisites
A total of 11 credits of general education requirements
need to be completed before starting course work in the
PTA Program. The remaining 6 credits of general education
courses may be taken in conjunction with PTA Program course
work. back
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Core
Courses
PTA courses consist of a total of 57 credit hours, 13 of
which are clinical practice in community clinical sites. back
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Program
Hours
The
PTA Program is offered on the Winter Haven campus. Classes
are scheduled Monday through Friday and include both day
and evening hours. Program requirements are rigorous. Students
must make the program commitment their first priority to
ensure success. back to top
Working
Sites
PTA's are licensed professionals who work in settings where
Physical Therapists are employed. They work in hospitals,
private practices, rehabilitation centers, school systems,
sports teams, home health agencies, and other qualified
facilities. back to top
Accreditation
Status
The Polk Community College Physical Therapist Assistant
program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation
in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Graduation from and
accredited program is required in order to take the state
licensure examination. back to top
Licensure
Exam
Following completion of academic and clinical work,
graduates of the program will be able to sit for the National
Physical Therapy Examination for the Physical Therapist
Assistant. The exam is administered by the Professional
Examination Service Federation of State Boards of Physical
Therapy (PES/FSBPT), 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115,
Phone: (212) 367-4200. back to top
Florida Licensure
Most
states require licensure in order to practice; however,
state licenses are usually based on the results of the PES/FSBPT
licensing examination. Graduates need to apply for Florida
licensure upon successful completion of the Licensing Exam.
They are responsible for requesting information from the
state licensing agency and completing requirements for licensure.
To obtain additional information regarding the Florida Board
of Physical Therapy Practice, you may write or call the
Board office or visit their Internet Web site.
Department of Health
Board of Physical Therapy
2020 Capital Circle, SE, BIN # CO5
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3255
Telephone: (850) 488-0595
Fax: (850) 414-6860.
Web site address:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/physical/ptnew.htm
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Program
Manager
Dr. Nelson Marquez, PT, EdD,
Program Director
Polk Community College
999 Avenue H, N.E.
Winter Haven, FL 33881-4299
Office: WRH-112
Telephone: (863) 669-2904
Fax: (863) 297-1036
E-mail: nmarquez@polk.edu
APTA
Web Site
American Physical Therapy Association
www.apta.org
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