1. SCC PTA Program
Welcome!

2. Where do PTAs work?
Lots of places!

3. Hospitals

4. Outpatient Settings

5. Skilled Nursing Facilities

6. Rehabilitation Centers

7. Home Health

8. Specialty Practices

9. What are the sub-specialties?
Orthopedics Neurologic rehabilitation Gerontology Wound care Pediatrics Amputees – prosthetics & orthotics

10. What do PTAs do? Implement the Plan of Care as determined by the PT
Help patients decrease pain, enhance function, & improve independence
Assist and instruct patients in performing transfers, ambulation, and functional activities
Administer therapeutic exercise for stretching, strengthening, balance, & coordination
Apply adjunct modalities, such as heat, cold, and electrotherapy
Documents progress toward goals
Communicates with the healthcare team
Educates patients, caregivers, and the community about PT

11. What skills does a PTA need?
Motor Capability
Transfer, guard and assist patients
›Squat, bend, reach, maneuver in small spaces
Use manual dexterity
Lift and carry up to 50 pounds and exert up to 100 # for push/pull

12. What skills does a PTA need?
Sensory Capability
Coordinate verbal and manual cues
Respond effectively to patient needs including emergencies
Monitor vital signs
Auditory, visual and tactile abilities to observe and assess patient status and provide treatment

13. What skills does a PTA need?
Communication Ability
Communicate effectively in English (fluency in other languages is a bonus)
Adapt communication as needed
Interact effectively with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds
Function effectively under supervision

14. What skills does a PTA need?
Problem-Solving Ability
Apply understanding of the rationale for the plan of care in implementing treatment
Use sound judgment and safety precautions
Function effectively under stress
Organize and prioritize tasks

15. PT vs. PTA vs. PT Aide
What are the differences?

16. Physical Therapists Perform initial evaluation
Establish the plan of care
Make changes to the plan of care
Determine when the patient can be discharged
Communicate directly with referring physician
May be a clinic owner or director
Require a clinical doctorate
Bachelor’s degree + doctorate = approx. 7 years
Earn approx. $95K in CA

17. Physical Therapist Assistants
Work under the supervision of a PT
Carry out interventions established in the plan of care
Make recommendations for changes in the plan of care
Make recommendations for patient discharge
May be a clinic owner or director with certain limitations in CA
Require an Associate degree = 2 years
Earn approx. $64K in CA

18. Physical Therapy Aides
Unlicensed personnel
No formal education requirements
Work under the direct and immediate supervision of a PT
 Perform non patient-related tasks such as housekeeping and clerical duties, transport of patients, and providing an extra hand for physical support during gait or transfer training
Earn $11 - $15/hour

19. About the SCC PTA Program
21 months
Evening program
Courses run from 6 – 9 or 6 – 10
Part-time
5 semesters – including one summer
Graduates earn an Associates of Science
Graduates are eligible to sit for the NPTAE and CA jurisprudence exam

20. Clinical Education
Three clinical rotations One introductory rotation – 3 weeks/FT* Two full-time rotations – 5 days/week x 40 hours x ~6 weeks* *Daytime hours

21. Cost of program
Current tuition = $46/credit Program = 36.5 credits: $1,679 Prerequisite courses = 14.5 credits: $667 General Ed. Requirements = Up to 33 credits: $1,518 Books, supplies, etc. = approx. $1,200 Licensing/Exam fees = approx. $950 Total: approx. $5,000* *Many students qualify for a BOG waiver (covers some of cost)

22. Applying to PTA Program
Step 1: Begin taking prerequisite courses
BIO 430 & 431*
PTA 100
ENGWR 300 OR ENGWR 488 OR ESLW 340
*2nd part of A & P may be in progress when applying
Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA for prerequisite courses with no grades lower than a ‘C’

23. Applying to PTA Program
Step 3: Get application from website Application is open during academic year Application deadline is April 15

24. Applying to PTA Program
Step 4: Submit official transcripts to Office of Admissions & Records*
Transcripts must be sealed
Substitution forms MUST be submitted for any courses not from LRCCD or not on equivalency grid
*Not necessary if courses taken in LRCCD

25. Selection Process 30 students are selected each year
Selection is done via lottery
All eligible applicants are entered into a pool
30 students are selected each year
If not selected, students are candidates are assigned an ‘alternate number’ and are placed on a waiting list
On average, 5 – 10 first time applicants are accepted each year. Last year it was 11 – a record.

26. Waiting List
Each year, as the program accepts more students, applicants on the waiting list will move up in the queue
An application is required each year to show continued interest and to maintain one’s waiting list number
The re-application period is March 15 – April 15 each year
Students who did not get in will be given a waiting list number.
Typically, the first 5 – 10 on the list get in that year because not everyone who is accepted chooses to enroll in the program. In previous years, the number of students accepted that year from the waiting list are as follows: 2014 – 7 students; 2015 – 8 students; 2016 – 12 students; 2017 – 3 students.
Students who are in the first 30 on the waiting list are guaranteed a spot for the next year. Students who are in the first 60 are guaranteed a spot within two years.
The reality is that because of attrition of applicants, we expect that the first 50 have a good chance of getting in the next year, and so on.
Applicants will need to re-submit an application for the following year to show interest. Instructions will be provided.

27. Notification of Admission
Applicants will be notified by mid-May of any acceptance decisions

28. Accredited PT and PTA Programs in California
CAPTE
16 PT programs
15 PTA programs

29. Questions?