The Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum prepares graduates to work in direct patient care settings under the supervision of physical therapists. Assistants work to improve or restore function by alleviation or prevention of physical impairment and perform other essential activities in a physical therapy department.
Course work includes normal human anatomy and physiology, the consequences of disease or injury, and physical therapy treatment of a variety of patient conditions affecting humans throughout the life span.
Graduates may be eligible to take the licensure examination administered by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Employment is available in general hospitals, rehabilitation centers, extended care facilities, specialty hospitals, home health agencies, private clinics and public school systems.
This program is a collaborative effort between Randolph Community College and Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC). Guilford Technical Community College is the “host” college. This agreement allows for RCC to have one student slot every odd year. RCC students will take all general education requirements on the RCC campus and will transfer to Guilford Technical Community College for all major courses and completion of the program.
ACCREDITATION
The GTCC Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Students who apply for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program must meet the admission requirements specific to the program established by GTCC. For more information, contact Student Services at RCC, (336) 633-0224; or the Health Occupations Department, (336) 633-0264. Visit the website for GTCC (www.gtcc.cc.nc.us) for details regarding the PTA program.
LICENSURE
Students who successfully complete the requirements for the Physical Therapist Assistant program of study at GTCC may be eligible to sit for the national licensure exam for physical therapist assistants.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Career opportunities for the physical therapist assistant have become more prevalent over the past few years and the outlook is excellent for the future. Physical therapist assistants may work in acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, out-patient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, schools, home health, pediatric facilities, industrial health centers and colleges. Starting salaries typically range from $30,000 – $35,000. Opportunity for advancement is strong.
COURSE INFORMATION
Biology ( Degree - 2 courses) - A comprehensive study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body, including concepts
of microbiology. These courses may be taken on the RCC campus.
Communications (Degree - 1 course) – This course, which may be taken on the RCC campus, provides an overview of the basic concept of communication and the skills necessary to communicate in various contexts.
Elective (Degree - 1 course) - Students are required to take one 3-credit-hour humanities/fine arts course, which may be taken on the RCC campus.
English ( Degree - 2 courses) - These courses emphasize the writing process and professional communication skills, and may be taken at RCC.
Physics ( Degree - 2 courses) - These courses consist of Conceptual Physics and its accompanying lab and are offered on the GTCC campus only.
Psychology ( Degree - 2 courses) - The course offered on the RCC campus includes an overview of the scientific study of human behavior.
REQUIRED COURSES
The other course in Development Psychology is offered only on the GTCC campus.
FACULTY ADVISOR
The faculty advisor for Physical Therapist Assistant on the RCC campus is Lynn Tesh, (336) 633-0315, pltesh@randolph.edu.
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