Student ID  
Student Name    
Advisor Name    

Physical Therapist Assistant (APTA)

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program prepares students to assist the supervising physical therapist in providing physical therapy care.  The 1+1 curriculum design includes the equivalent of one year of general education coursework and a second year of physical therapy technical courses. All first-year program prerequisites must be completed prior to being considered for admission into the second year.   The program is competitive and draws many applicants.  A maximum of twenty students are selected based on academic performance, recommendation scores (based on clinical observation assignment as a part of PTAT 2210 -Introduction to Physical Therapy) and interview scores.  Those not accepted can apply for the following year or seek advisement on other possible career options.

Once accepted into the PTA program, the student begins the second year (technical phase) which includes academic and laboratory components taught at the Oak Ridge campus, and clinical components located in regional healthcare facilities.  The second year requires full-time participation and lasts one calendar year from August to August.  Second year students will be required to attend an orientation session and be certified (and maintain certification) in Basic First Aid and Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR) through the American Heart Association prior to the start of classes.  Classes taken during the second year must be taken in sequence and require a full-time course load. During the second year, students may be required to travel within the East Tennessee region to clinical facilities.

Admission Policies for Allied Health Sciences A.A.S. Degrees

In addition to general entrance requirements for the Allied Health Sciences programs, the applicants for the PTA program must:

  1. Complete all first-year general education courses (prerequisites) by the program application deadline.  Required science courses older than 5 years at time of program admission will not be considered. 
  2. Submit all admission materials, including applications, final transcripts and spring semester grades by May 15th of the year applying. Those applicants who fail to have documents in by the deadline will not be considered in the applicant pool.
  3. Obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better in the required general education courses for the program.
  4. Obtain a "C" or better in each of the required first year general education courses.
  5. Complete 12 hours of clinical observation under the supervision of a licensed PT or PTA (completed in PTAT 2210 -Intro to Physical Therapy) 
  6. If selected, participate in an interview with PTA program representatives.  Students will receive notification of the interview through their RaiderNet email.
1st Fall   Hours Term TakenGrade
ENGL 1010 Composition I 3   
BIOL 2010 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4   
MATH 1530 Introductory Statistics 3   
ALHS 1211 Terminology for Medical Communications 2   
    TERM TOTAL 12   
Action Items       
  Oct Meet with Success Coach or Advisor
Attend Group Advising Session
Complete FAFSA for upcoming fall term
    
  Nov Register for next term     
1st Spring   Hours   
PHIL 1040 Introduction to Ethics (Recommended) OR
Humanities Elective
3   
BIOL 2020 Anatomy and Physiology II 4   
PSYC 2130 Lifespan Development Psychology (Recommended) OR
PSYC 1030  Introduction to Psychology
3   
PTAT 2200 Introduction to Physical Therapy 2   
    TERM TOTAL 12   
Action Items       
  Jan Apply to PTA Program through Raidernet      
  Mar Meet with Success Coach or Advisor     
  April Register for next term     
  Post Interview for PTA Program
Candidates Accepted
Informational meeting for accepted students
    
2nd Fall   Hours   
PTAT 2410 Kinesiology for the PTA 4   
PTAT 2440 Biophysical Agents for the PTA 4   
PTAT 2460 Patient Care Skills for the PTA 4   
PTAT 2370 Professional Development for the PTA 3   
PTAT 2190 Integrated Clinical Education I 1   
    TERM TOTAL 16   
Action Items       
  Aug Mandatory orientation for new candidates     
  Sept Complete criminal background check and CPR
Complete Application for Graduation
    
  Nov Register for next term     
2nd Spring   Hours   
PTAT 2530 Medical and Surgical Conditions for the PTA 5   
PTAT 2510 Musculoskeletal Conditions and Treatment for the PTA 5   
PTAT 2520 Neuromuscular Conditions and Treatment for the PTA 5   
PTAT 2170 Professional Development for the PTA 1   
PTAT 2191 Integrated Clinical Education II 1   
    TERM TOTAL 17   
Action Items       
  Feb Take Exit Exam (ETS Proficiency Profile)      
  Mar Apply for Tennessee License
Register for Summer term
    
  May Register to take NPTE     
2nd Summer   Hours   
PTAT 2280 Seminar for the PTA 2   
PTAT 2493 Terminal Clinical Education I 4   
PTAT 2494 Terminal Clinical Education II 4   
    TERM TOTAL 10   
Action Items       
  July Take NPTE
Begin job search using RaiderRecruit 
    
    TOTAL HOURS 67   

Program Application Deadline: May 15

 

Students pursuing this program will be advised by the Allied Health Sciences Division.

This program is designed for students who plan to enter the workforce upon graduation. Students intending to transfer to a baccalaureate program are advised that they should check with their academic advisor and the four-year institution regarding specific transfer of courses.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Roane State Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: (703) 706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org

http://www.roanestate.edu/?5956-Physical-Therapist-Assistant