Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistants work with physical therapists to provide patients with compassionate care that is backed with knowledge of kinesiology, rehabilitation, and more.
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction
and supervision of a physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical
problems or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform
functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs work in a variety of settings including
hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools,
and sports facilities. PTAs must complete a 2-year associate's degree and are licensed,
certified, or registered in most states.
Care provided by a PTA may include teaching patients/clients exercise for mobility, strength and coordination, training for activities such as walking with crutches, canes, or walkers, massage, and the use of physical agents and electrotherapy such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
The program is four semesters in length with 14 weeks of full-time clinical experience in the final semesters.
Admission criteria for the PTA program are as follows:
- Admission to Clovis Community College
- Applicants must complete an application packet for Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Application packets are available online and in the Office of Admissions and Records. Applications must be complete with transcripts from all previously attended colleges received by the Office of Admissions to be considered for admission to the PTA Program. The applicant’s file must contain the following information:
- Completed PTA Program Application.
- All transcripts
- Minimum GPA of 3.0. (Admission to the PTA program will occur on a competition basis. Meeting minimum GPA requirements does not guarantee program acceptance.)
- Completed observation hours log sheet demonstrating 25 hours of observation with a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant.
- All General Education and Related Requirement courses must be completed before admission to the PTA Program.
The employment outlook for graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant program is excellent. From 2008-2018 there is a projected 33% increase in employment for PTA's nationwide. The median income for PTA's was $46,140 in 2008.
Read Physical Therapist Assistants on O*Net Online for more information.
Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Clovis Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.
- Physical Therapist Assistant Program Homepage
- PTA Program Information
- Program Effectiveness
- Degrees and Certificates Offered:
For more information about CCC's Physical Therapist Assistant program, please contact:
Brandi Varnado
PTA Program Director
575.769.4098
brandi.varnado@clovis.edu
Amy Archuleta
PTA Academic Advisor
575.769.4016
amy.archuleta@clovis.edu