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Melanie C. Basinger, PT, MS
Director - PTA Program
Tidewater Community College
1700 College Crescent
Virginia Beach, VA 23453
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Tidewater Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science
degree for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). These pages will
provide the following information about the program:
Information packets containing the information on these pages
can be downloaded at this site, or copies of the necessary documents
may be requested at (757) 822-7255. If you have any additional questions, please call Vickie Rogers
in the Counseling Center (757) 822-7211, or attend the Physical
Therapist Assistant "Open House" which is held on the
third Thursday of each month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the
Lynnhaven
Building
on the Virginia Beach Campus, room E-106.
Download the Health Professions Programs
and Open House Information flyer.
The Profession
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA's) have been trained to give
physical therapy treatments to patients of all ages who have been
disabled by illness or accident, or who were born with a disability.
Treatments given by PTA's include:
exercises for increasing strength, coordination, and joint
motion
the use of heat, cold, electricity, light, and water to decrease
pain
teaching functional activities, such as walking with crutches,
canes and walkers Licensure is required in most states, including Virginia, for PTA's.
To become licensed, program graduates must pass a written national
licensure examination. A PTA must work under the supervision
of a physical therapist.
The Program
The PTA program is offered on a full-time basis during daytime
hours, and it is five semesters in length. The first semester consists
of all general education classes. The remaining general education
classes are spread throughout the second, forth, and fifth semesters.
You can take the general education classes in the order outlined
in the curriculum guide sheet, or you can take them all ahead of
time depending on your individual needs.
Students are admitted into the program once per year in the fall
during semester two. The application deadline is March
31. Applications
will be reviewed during the month of April, and notification letters
will be sent out during the third week in May.
Positions in the program are limited, thus applicants will be
awarded points based on their completion of the requirements as
outlined in this packet. Admissions decisions will be made based
on each applicant’s total point ranking. It is strongly recommended
that you apply early, fulfill all requirements for admission, and
make sure that you have received transfer credit from all attended
colleges to better your chance for admission.
Admission to the program requires that students complete a TCC
application and a Health Professions application. These applications
are available in the Admissions Center, Princess Anne Building
of the Virginia Beach Campus, or by calling the Information Center
at (757) 822-1122. The Health
Professions application can be downloaded
from this page.
To receive transfer credit for classes taken at colleges other
than TCC, students must have their official transcripts sent to
Tidewater Community College, Central Records/Office of the Registrar, P.O. Box 9000, Norfolk, VA 23509-9000. Students must also submit an "Evaluation
of Previous Educational Experiences” form to the Central
Records Office. This form, found at the back of the program
information packet, gives the Central Records Office permission to evaluate
your transcripts
and award transfer credit. You can verify receipt of your transcripts
by calling (757) 822-2150.
Prior to the application deadline date, students are encouraged
to contact Gloria Singleton in the Domicile Health Professions
and Records Office at (757) 822-7340 to verify receipt of your
application.
Prior to graduation from the program, students must demonstrate
computer competency in word processing, spreadsheet, database,
and internet/e-mail. You can either take ITE 115 (Introduction
to Microcomputer Software), or call the Counseling Center at (757)
822-7211 to schedule to take a computer competency test. It is
best to do this early in the program.
The Financial Aid Office can be reached by calling (757) 822-7292
for information about grants, loans, and scholarships. To inquire
about Veterans educational benefits, the Veterans Affairs Office
can be reached at (757) 822-7235.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program holds an Open House on
the third Thursday of each month at the Virginia Beach Campus.
You may come to Room E-106 in the Lynnhaven Building between the
hours of 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to ask any questions you may have.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
of the American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 N. Fairfax Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314. They can be reached by calling (703) 706-3245.
Graduation,
licensure and employment rates for program graduates between
2002-2003 are as follows:
Graduation: 73%
Licensure: 85% first time takers; 100% second
time takers
Employment: 100%
PLEASE NOTE:
Information on this web site is subject to change. Students
should check periodically to see if materials have been updated.
Prospective students are hereby notified that there is a possibility
of a criminal/sex offender background check by the Virginia State
Police for certain clinical placements required for graduation.
The cost of the background check is the responsibility of the student.
Also, please note that there will be a criminal background check
for all individuals applying for license to practice as a Physical
Therapist Assistant in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that no
one with a felony conviction will be issued a license.
Tidewater Community College maintains and promotes equal opportunity
without regard to ethnicity, color, gender, age (except where gender
or age is a bona fide occupational qualification), religion, handicap,
national origin, or other non-merit factors. Disclosure of social
security number, age, gender, and ethnicity is optional.
Once again, thank you for your interest in our program. Please
contact Melanie
C. Basinger, PT, MS with any further questions or
concerns at (757) 822-7251.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS PHYSICAL THERAPY?
Physical therapy is the care and service provided by or under
the supervision of a physical therapist to individuals in pain,
or to those with impaired mobility after disease, illness, injury,
or surgery. Physical Therapy clinicians work with individuals of
all ages including, but not limited to, those who have suffered
stroke, head injury, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s
disease, amputation, spinal cord injury, knee surgery, or shoulder
injury.
WHAT DOES A PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT DO?
A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) works under the direct supervision
of a Physical Therapist providing care to individuals of all ages
who have been injured or disabled due to accident or disease. PTA’s
are employed in many practice settings including hospitals, rehabilitation
centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, outpatient clinics,
sports medicine clinics, private practice, industry, and school
systems.
WHAT TASKS COULD A PHYSICAL THERAPIS ASSISTANT PERFORM
DURING A TYPICAL WORKDAY?
Depending on the setting in which you work, a typical day for
a Physical Therapist Assistant may include:
• Assisting patients after surgery or following a disease
in basic skills such as: getting in and out of bed, getting in
and out of a chair, and walking.
•
Teaching exercises to strengthen and stretch weak and tight muscles.
•
Teaching balance and coordination exercises.
•
Teaching patients to walk again with an artificial leg.
•
Performing modalities such as ultrasound, traction, hydrotherapy,
and electrical stimulation.
•
Promoting health and wellness in fitness centers and schools.
•
Consulting with employers and employees about preventing injury
in the workplace.
•
Working with children of all ages on gaining independence for everyday
activities such as sitting, eating, walking, and going to school.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND
A PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT?
A Physical Therapist holds a bachelor’s degree, master’s
degree, or doctorate degree depending on how long they have been
practicing. Physical Therapists entering the field today have earned
master’s or doctorate degrees. They are responsible for performing
initial evaluations for new patients, higher-level skills such
as joint mobilization, and supervising Physical Therapist Assistants.
A Physical Therapist Assistant holds an associate’s degree
in applied science. They perform the majority of direct patient
care once the Physical Therapist has evaluated the patient and
the treatment plan has been established. A Physical Therapist Assistant
practices under the supervision of a Physical Therapist.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PHYSICAL THERAPY
AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists often work together
as members of the health care team. Physical Therapy treatment
focuses on assisting individuals regain or improve movement and
mobility. Occupational Therapy treatment focuses on assisting individuals
regain or improve self-care skills, work skills, and leisure skills.
WHAT IS THE JOB OUTLOOK FOR THE FIELD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY?
Employment opportunities for Physical Therapist Assistants are
growing. Over the past two years, all graduates from this program
found employment either during their final clinical rotation or
shortly after graduation.
As the cost of delivering healthcare continues to rise, employers
are hiring more Physical Therapist Assistants to provide direct
patient care under the supervision of a Physical Therapist. Physical
therapy treatments previously provided by Physical Therapists are
now being delegated to Physical Therapist Assistants.
CAN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT BECOME A PHYSICAL THERAPIST?
A Physical Therapist Assistant can become a Physical Therapist.
You must complete a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
such as Exercise Science or Biology. Then you apply to the Physical
Therapist program, which awards the successful candidate an entry-level
doctorate degree.
WHAT PRE-REQUISITES WILL I NEED WHEN APPLYING TO TCC?S
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM?
• BIO 141 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I)*
•
PHY 100 (Elements of Physics)*
•
ENG 111 (College Composition I)*
•
PSY 231 (Lifespan Human Development I)
•
SDV 101 (Orientation to Healthcare)
•
Twenty hours of documented observation or work hours in each of
two different physical therapy practice settings (i.e., outpatient
and acute care, skilled nursing facility and outpatient, etc.)
under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist
assistant. Forty hours total.
•
Two recommendation forms from employers, clinicians, or professors.
•
Recommend completion of BIO 142 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II),
Humanities elective, and Social Sciences elective.
*BIO 141 may require that you first take BIO 01 (Foundations of Biology), CHM
01 (Chemistry I), or HLT 143 (Medical Terminology I) if you have never taken
or have not recently taken high school or college biology or chemistry. If
you are unsure you need to take one of these classes speak to the Counseling
Center by calling (757) 822-7211.
*PHY 100 may require that you first take MTH 03 (Algebra I) if you have never
taken or have not recently taken high school or college algebra. If you are
unsure if you need to take one of these classes speak to the Counseling Center
by calling (757) 822-7211. The Counseling Center may advise you to take a Math
Placement test to check your knowledge level.
*ENG 111 may require that you first take an English placement test to check
your reading and writing skills. If you are unsure if you need to take one
of these classes speak the Counseling Center by calling (757) 822-7211.
Admission Procedures
The following steps must be completed by March 31 to be eligible
for Fall admission:
Submit a TCC Application to the Admissions Center (Virginia
Beach Campus), Princess Anne Building, Room A-111, 1700 College
Crescent, Virginia Beach, VA 23453.
Complete a Health Professions Application indicating Physical
Therapy Assistant as your program choice. Submit to the Domicile
Health Professions and Records Office (Virginia Beach Campus),
Princess Anne Building, Room A-100A, 1700 College Crescent, Virginia
Beach, VA 23453.
If you would like to receive transfer credit from previous colleges
attended, you must contact the Registrar at each college you attended
and have them send official transcripts directly to the Central
Records Office (Portsmouth Campus), 7000 College Drive, Portsmouth,
VA 23703.
Complete the attached form entitled, "Evaluation of Previous
Educational Experiences," and send it to the Central Records
Office, (Portsmouth Campus), 7000 College Drive, Portsmouth,
VA
23703. This form must be received by the Central Records Office
in order to evaluate your transcripts and assign transfer credit.
Verify receipt of all transcripts and forms by calling (757)
822-2150.
If you have not yet successfully completed a college-level English
or Math class, you will need to take placement tests. These tests
determine the appropriate English and math developmental classes
a student must take before enrolling in the general education
requirements of ENG 111 and PHY 100. Contact the Counseling Office
(Virginia Beach Campus) at (757) 822-7211 regarding your need
to take these tests, and for the dates and times these are given.
If you have you have never taken or have not recently taken
high school or college biology, or chemistry you may be required
to take either BIO 01, CHM 01, or HLT 143 as a refresher course
prior to enrolling in BIO 141. Call the Counseling Center, (757)
822-7211, to find which of these classes you will need to take.
Contact the Counseling Center, (757) 822-7211, to schedule
to take a computer competency test, or plan to re-enroll in
ITE 115
to satisfy computer competency requirements for graduation.
Twenty hours of documented observation or work hours in each
of two different physical therapy practice settings (i.e., outpatient
and acute care, skilled nursing facility and outpatient, etc.)
under the supervision of a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist
Assistant. Forty hours total.
Two recommendation forms from employers, professional associates,
clinicians, or professors
Application Deadline
If you have met the above prerequisites, or you will be completing
them prior to the semester you would like to begin the technical
portion of the program (Semester two on the Curriculum Guide Sheet),
please submit a Health Professions application by March
31.
Download the Health
Program Application.
Applications will be time and date stamped. Applications can be
mailed or hand delivered to:
Gloria Singleton
Domicile Health Professions and Records Office, A-100A
Tidewater Community College
1700 College Crescent
Virginia Beach, VA 23453
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed first for the prerequisites
noted above, including both required and recommended
coursework. Points will be awarded to applicants in the following
manner.
| BIO 141 & 142 |
SDV 101 |
All other general education classes |
| A = 20 points |
A = 5 points |
A = 10 points |
| B = 10 points |
B = 2 points |
B = 5 points |
• No points are awarded for "C" grades, however, they are considered for
transfer.
• One (1) point for every 10 hours of observation/work in a PT facility
over the required minimum of 40 hours. No more that 200 hours (16 points) may
be counted toward acceptance to the program.
• Recommendation Forms: Excellent rating = 5 points Good rating = 2 points
The top 30-point earners will be accepted into the program. The remainder will
make up the alternate list and placed in order of point average earned. The
time and date stamp on the student’s application will decide all point
ties. If the program receives more qualified applicants than can be accepted,
interviews
may be held.
If a student is not accepted into the program and is still interested; he/she
must resubmit a Health Professions application by the March 31 deadline for the
following fall semester.
Criminal Background Check
Prospective students are hereby notified that there
is a possibility of a criminal/sex offender background
check by the Virginia State Police for certain clinical
placements required for graduation. The cost of the background
check is the responsibility of the student. Also, please
note that there will be a criminal background check for
all individuals applying for license to practice as a
Physical Therapist Assistant in the Commonwealth of Virginia,
and that no one with a felony conviction will be issued
a license. The Physical Therpaist Assistant program at
TCC requires that all students who attend clinical facilities
must complete the background check.
Health Professions students assigned to clinical
rotations or internships at some healthcare facilities are
personally
responsible for completing the required background checks or
screenings and assuring that results are obtained by the healthcare
or medical facility that asks for them. Students are required
to bear the costs of such tests. It will be the decision of
the
clinical affiliate (healthcare or medical facility) whether
the student will be allowed to participate in the clinical
activities should there be positive criminal or sex offender
results. Tidewater Community College does not assume any responsibility
for obtaining or evaluating the results of a criminal background
check, drug screen or other check, maintaining the records
of results or for delivering them to clinical sites. Students
may not request to be assigned only to those sites that do
not require such checks. Students who refuse to undergo a criminal
background check or drug screen or other required check may
not be able to be placed at another facility and consequently
may not be able to complete program requirements and graduate.
Tidewater Community College will make reasonable efforts to
place all enrolled students in clinical training.
Students are also reminded that licensing boards for certain
health care occupations and professions may deny, suspend or
revoke a license or may deny the individual the opportunity
to sit for an examination if an applicant has a criminal history
or is convicted or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony
or other serious crime. Successful completion of a health professions
program of study at Tidewater Community College does not guarantee
licensure, the opportunity to sit for a licensure examination,
certification or employment in the relevant heath care occupation.
The vendor for criminal background checks is Certified Background. 
Procedure
1. Please complete the vendor information and make direct payment to the vendor.
The vendor will provide you with a passcode and a PDF file of the results.
2. It is your responsibility to provide your CBI results to
the agency requesting it within 24 hours after the first day
of classes (which is also the day of final notification of
clinical placement sites). To initiate completion of your CBI
please contact the selected vendor, provide the required data,
sign the release and provide payment to the vendor.
3. Please be sure to keep a hard copy of your own PDF file
for your personal records.
Instructions:
1. Go to www.certifiedbackground.com.
2. Click on "Students"
3. In the Package Code Box, enter ie60
4. You will see a page with information about our package and its contents,
costs, etc.
Download instruction
sheet.
Program Technical Standards
To ensure patient safety and treatment effectiveness,
the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Tidewater Community
College has established qualifications, which must be met by
the students admitted or enrolled in the program. These qualifications
include:
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Satisfactory verbal, reading, and written skills to effectively
and promptly communicate in English.
•
Sufficient eyesight to read paper or computer generated medical
records; read instrument panels; apply therapeutic modalities
such as ice, heat, and electrical stimulation; monitor patients
for adverse reactions to treatment; adjust assistive devices;
and make visual observations regarding posture and functional
abilities (bed mobility, transfers, and ambulation).
•
Sufficient hearing to communicate with patients and other members
of the healthcare team, monitor patients by hearing instrument
signals and alarms.
•
Sufficient smell to assess patient status and maintain a safe
practice environment.
•
Sufficient fine touch discrimination to palpate pathologic changes
in soft tissue.
•
Sufficient fine and gross motor coordination to manipulate/operate
equipment controls and to perform manual treatment/assessment
techniques including, but not limited to, massage; ultrasound;
electrical stimulation; stretching; neuromuscular re-education;
goniometry; and manual muscle testing.
•
Satisfactory physical strength to transport, move or lift patient
requiring all levels of assistance and to perform prolonged periods
of standing, walking, sitting, bending, crawling, reaching, pushing,
and pulling.
•
Satisfactory intellectual, emotional, and interpersonal skills
to ensure patient safety; exercise independent judgment and discretion
in the performance of assigned responsibilities, and interact
with patients, families, and other health care workers.
Printable Information Packet
To download the packet you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader
installed on your computer. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, its
free.
Information Packet
Career Opportunities
Physical therapy is a diverse field, whose members
contribute to the improvement of the quality of life for
millions of Americans. PTA's are employed in many types
of clinics including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing
homes, home health, outpatient clinics, sports medicine clinics,
private industry, and schools.
A newly graduated PTA can expect to earn $32,000-$36,000.
With experience, salaries will increase.
Looking for a career opportunity? Check here for
PT
job listings that are updated frequently.
Contact:
mbasinger@tcc.edu
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