Physical Therapist Assistant

This program is designed to prepare individuals to work as a physical therapist assistant (PTA). PTA classes are designed for the full-time student and taught in the daytime hours at our Valley Campus; however, evening or weekend hours may be required for general and clinical education courses.

“Physical Therapist Assistants, under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist, play a role in providing the public with access to physical therapy services. The PTA’s work includes implementing selected components of patient/client interventions; obtaining outcomes data related to the interventions provided; modifying interventions either to progress the patient/client as directed by the physical therapist or to ensure patient/client safety and comfort; educating and interacting with other health care providers, students, aides/technicians, volunteers, and patients/clients and their families and caregivers; and responding so patient/client and environmental emergency situations.” (American Physical Therapy Association, 2011)

PTAs work in a variety of settings including acute and long-term care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, private practice offices, outpatient clinics, schools, and more. “APTA policy identifies the PTA as the only individual other than a physical therapist who provides physical therapy services. PTAs are a vital part of the physical therapy services available to the public in all clinical settings. Opportunities for career development are limited by the level of education, nature of the work, and supervision requirements.” (APTA, 2011)

Source: American Physical Therapy Association (January 2011). Today’s Physical Therapist: A Comprehensive Review of a 21st-Century Health Care Profession. Available at http://www.apta.org.

PTAs are required to uphold high standards of ethical practice and professional standards of conduct while performing quality patient care. To prepare students for this profession, these standards will be emphasized and developed throughout the curriculum

Accreditation

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; phone: 703-106-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Southern Union State 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 Jeff Leatherman, DPT, MS, PT, Program Director at 334-756-4121 x 5254 or email jleatherman@suscc.edu.

Graduation from this program does not guarantee licensure as a PTA, and it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the licensure requirements in each state. Complete information on proactive acts and regulations can be obtained from the individual state licensing boards or through The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (www.fsbpt.org). Specific information regarding application for licensure will be available to the student during the last term of study.

Minimum Admission Requirements

1. Unconditional admission to the college. 
2. Meet the essential functions required for the PTA program.
3. Minimum of 10 hours of PT Observation experience with signed documentation from licensed PT/PTA.
4. Completion of prerequisite academic core courses with a minimum grade of “C” or higher meeting a 2.5 core GPA.
5. Minimum 2.0 GPA at Southern Union is previously enrolled. Transfer students must enter the College on clear status.
6. Official transcripts in Records Office from all postsecondary institution attended, along with high school transcript.
7. Official score on ACT National or ACT Residual with a minimum composite score of 18. (No time limit on when the test was taken.) Test scores must be on file with the Records Office and a copy must be attached to the program application.
8. Submission of completed application for Physical Therapist Assistant Program by published deadline

Admission to the PTA program is competitive and the number of students is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. After meeting minimal requirements, applicants are rank ordered for acceptance using a point system based on score on ACT/ACT Residual and quality points from selected college courses. Students may be eligible to earn additional points. Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

PTA Program Progressions Standards

Enrolled PTA students are required to satisfactorily complete all technical phase course and clinical education requirements in order to remain in good standing and to be eligible for graduation. Students and program faculty must comply with published programmatic policies, syllabi, course goals and objectives, as well as published college requirements to ensure satisfactory student progress through the technical phase.

The Health Sciences Admission Progressions Committee (PC) and PTA Program Director (PD) are responsible for monitoring the technical phase progressions and reinstatement policies, which include academic, clinical, and professional domains related to the PTA Program. The PD and PC review the progress of each student no less than once per semester and more frequently as indicated. The PC will recommend an appropriate action for each student based on his/her academic, clinical, and professional performance. These actions may include progression to the next semester, graduation, probation, continued probation, removal from probation, suspension, or dismissal. The PC may recommend other actions including, but not limited to, remediation or repetition of coursework and participation in academic tutoring.

The policies described below either clarify, operationalize, or augment the SUSCC Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies.

Good Standing Status

Students must meet all of the following criteria while in the technical phase of the program: 

1. Maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 for all technical PTA designated courses during each semester of the technical phase.
2. Successfully complete academic coursework by achieving a minimum grade of “C” (75%) in all PTA designated courses. If a course has a lab element, the evaluation requirements are divided into lecture and laboratory components. In order for a final grade to be calculated, student must achieve a minimum average of 75% in EACH individual component. Averages below 75% in either the lecture or laboratory component will result in a “D” or “F” grade. If BOTH components meet the minimum 75%, they will be averaged together to assign the final course grade. 
   1. Students who do not achieve a minimum grade of “C” in any PTA course are unable to continue in the curriculum and will be immediately dismissed. Please refer to the Dismissal Process below.
   2. Remediation While in Good Standing: 
      1. Remediation is mandatory if a student scores less than 75% on a written exam or if the student fails to demonstrate all designated critical safety elements in a practical examination. Failure to remediate via the format prescribed by the instructor (or PC) will result in an incomplete grade. Refer to the College catalog for the requirements for resolution of an incomplete grade. 
      2. A written remediation plan (e.g., Student Counseling Report, Student Learning Contract, etc.) is initiated when a student’s average is nearing or below a failing grade for the course. Failure to comply with a remediation plan is likely to result in a failing grade.
3. Successfully complete clinical coursework with a grade of pass (P). To receive a passing grade (P), students must meet minimal competency standards and successfully complete all course requirements as published in clinical course syllabi.
   1. If the student fails to receive a passing grade in any clinical course or if they are removed or withdraw from a clinical affiliation, they will proceed to Level Two: Suspension
4. Student Code of Conduct/Professional Behavior 
   1. Students will abide by the Code of Conduct (see Student Handbook in College Catalog) and PTA Professional Conduct Code below.

PTA Professional Conduct Code

The PTA faculty consider professional behavior as one of the most important components in the education of PTA students. Students enrolled in the PTA Program are expected to abide by all of the following: 1.) the SUSCC Code of Conduct, 2.) the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Guide for Conduct of the PTA, 3.) the APTA’s Standards of Ethical Conduct for the PTA, and 4.) additional programmatic and instructor policies (e.g., attendance policies, lab rules, etc.) as published in the PTA Program Handbook and course syllabi.

Code of Conduct violations will be referred to the Dean of Students and addressed according to the disciplinary procedures published in the College Student Handbook. All other violations will be referred to the Program Director and may result in a written remediation plan, referral to the PC, and/or referral to the Dean of Students.

PTA Dismissal and Withdrawal Process

1. Level One: “Warning” 
   1. Failure to maintain the minimum cumlative GPA of 2.5 will result in the student being placed on warning. The student will be permitted to remain on warning for a maximum of one semester. If this requirement is not met, the student will be removed from the program (see Level Three: Immediate Dismissal).
2. Level Two: “Suspension”
   1. Withdrawal or removal from a clinical course or receipt of a failing grade in a clinical course will result in suspension while the PC investigates the situation. The PC will choose one of the following actions within 14 calendar days of the occurrence: 
      1. If the committee determines that the student has a high probability of entering the profession as a safe, proficient practitioner, the student may be permitted to repeat the clinical course. The PC will outline requirements for completion of the course in conjunction with the PD and Clinical Education Coordinator (CEC). The option to repeat a clinical course will be offered only once for any student while in the technical phase of the program. 
      2. If the committee deems the withdrawal/removal or failing grade a substantial indicator that the student will not succeed in the profession, the student will proceed to Level Three: Immediate Dismissal.
3. Level Three: "Immediate Dismissal"
   1. Students are immediately dismissed when any of the following occur:
      1. Failure to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.5 within one semester of being placed on warning status.
      2. Failure to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.5 prior to the first full-time externship. 160 Southern Union State Community College
      3. Receipt of one or more “D” or “F” grades in academic coursework.
      4. The PC recommends dismissal in the case of an incomplete clinical course or failed clinical course. 
      5. The PC recommends dismissal in the case of a significant policy, Code of Conduct, or PTA Professional Conduct Code violation.

The Program Director will notify students in writing if they are dismissed from the program. PTA students wishing to appeal their dismissal must follow the procedures highlighted in the Student Handbook and Catalog.

Students who have been dismissed from the program may be considered for reinstatement by following the PTA Reinstatement Procedure. Note: If the student is dismissed a second time while in the technical phase, the student will be permanently removed from the program and will not be eligible for readmission. Students should be aware that withdrawing from any course within the PTA curriculum schedule automatically withdraws the student from the PTA program.

PTA Reinstatement Policy

Students who wish to be considered for reinstatement should reapply using the following procedure. The reinstatement process will only be offered once. There is no guarantee of reinstatement for any student.

To begin the reinstatement process, the student must apply in writing to the Progressions Committee (via the Program Director) requesting reinstatement in the program. The letter must include the date the student wishes to return and a rationale describing how the student plans to complete the program successfully. The letter must be received by the Program Director no later than 60 days prior to the first day of the academic semester into which the student wishes to reenroll. The Progressions Committee (PC) will meet within 3 weeks of receipt of the letter to consider the reinstatement request and complete a plan of action to address the reasons for withdraw/dismissal. The student may be required to attend this meeting.

The PC will formally notify the student of their decision and plan of action within 5 business days of the meeting. If remediation or other action is warranted, it must be successfully completed no less than 7 calendar days prior to the start of the semester in which the student wishes to reenroll. If this does not occur, the student must reinitiate the reinstatement process. The final decision for acceptance into the next cohort will be based upon available slots in the cohort, successful completion of any actions required by the PC, and a reasonable expectation that the student in question has potential to succeed in the program.

Reinstatement Procedure

1. If the student withdrew or was dismissed during the first semester of the program, the PC may elect to have the student enter the ranking process to gain admission to the next cohort. The student will be required to follow the same application process as all other applicants. If the student gains admission to the technical phase, he/she will repeat all previously attempted PTA coursework. 
2. If the student withdrew or was dismissed after completing one or more semesters of the program, the PC will determine what coursework, if any, must be repeated upon reinstatement. The student must repeat any course in which he/she did not achieve a minimum grade of “C” (75%), however the PC may also require a student to repeat coursework that was completed successfully if it is deemed to be critical to the success of the student (see financial aid for costs associated with retaking coursework). The PC may also require actions including, but not limited to, remediation, competency checks, and/or written or didactic exams to determine if the student is suitable to return to the program and to help ensure student success. When a student repeats a course he/she must achieve a minimum grade of B (80%) to continue in the curriculum. If the student fails to achieve a minimum grade of B in repeated coursework, he/she will be dismissed from the program and is not eligible for reinstatement. 
3. Students who are eligible for reinstatement and who have been out of the program for longer than one year must reapply for admission to the college and meet the current admissions requirements of the technical phase of the PTA program.
4. The reinstated student will be required to comply with the curriculum and requirements in force at the time of reinstatement, including any changes made to the curriculum or prerequisites during his/her absence from the program.
5. If a student is dismissed a second time while in the technical phase, the dismissal is permanent.