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Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

The two-year Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) associate degree program is designed to prepare the student with the knowledge and skills to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist to administer physical therapy treatments in a variety of settings.

 

The next application period planned for the Physical Therapist Assistant program is being paused to allow time for the PTA faculty to review and revise the current program of study.  Current PTA cohorts will proceed without interruption. The next application date will be announced in the near future. If you have any questions or need further information regarding the PTA program at P&HCC, please feel free to reach out to Program Director Rebecca Duff, PTA, DHSc at rduff@patrickhenry.edu or call (276) 656-0288.

NEW REQUIREMENT: PTA applicants must attend an Information Session to be eligible to apply to the program.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

– Application Information Packet

– Observation Hours Form

– Essential Functions of PTA Students

– Catalog Information

For additional information, students can contact the Healthcare Program Advisor (clester@patrickhenry.edu). Students planning to apply to the PTA program are highly encouraged to speak with the PTA Program Director to review the academic requirements, behavioral expectations, and essential functions of interested PTA applicants.

Register a complaint
Members of the general public have the ability to express a concern or register a complaint regarding the PTA program or its graduates through the PTA Program Director at (276) 656-5469 or via email at rduff@patrickhenry.edu

Unresolved complaints
Unresolved complaints may be directed to the Director of Nursing and Allied Health at (276) 656-0248 or via email at awebster@patrickhenry.edu or to the Dean of STEM-Health and Applied Programs at (276) 656-0349 or via email at cferguson@patrickhenry.edu.  All complaints will be documented and kept on file in the program office.

Accreditation concerns
Accreditation concerns should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), using the following link:  accreditation@apta.org

  1. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program will graduate entry-level physical therapist assistants able to competently work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
  2. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program will prepare graduates to effectively communicate in a culturally competent manner with patients and caregivers from diverse backgrounds.
  3. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program will produce graduates who can exhibit effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  4. Program faculty will provide a positive learning environment to enhance student learning and a comprehensive curriculum based on contemporary evidence-based physical therapy practice.
  5. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program will promote the importance of personal and professional development through life-long learning and membership in professional organizations.

 

P&HCC PTA Mission Statement
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Patrick & Henry Community College will successfully prepare students through a comprehensive curriculum based on contemporary physical therapy practice to meet the needs of the community and beyond by delivering competent care as entry-level physical therapist assistants able to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

Graduation Year
Graduation Rate
First Time NPTE Pass Rate
Ultimate NPTE Pas Rate
PTA graduates who sought employment as a PTA who were employed within 12 months of graduation
2024
100%
14.3%
14.3%
100%
2023
81.2%
23.1%
61.5%
100%

Contact

Dr. Rebecca Duff
Program Director
rduff@patrickhenry.edu
Phone: (276) 656-0288
Office: Philpott 133

Christy Lester
Health Program Advisor
clester@patrickhenry.edu
Phone: (276) 656-5469
Office: Philpott 123

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Patrick & Henry 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. The program’s current status is probationary accreditation; for more information see https://www.capteonline.org/about-capte/recent-actions-and-updates/recent-actions. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Rebecca Duff, PTA DHSc, Director at (276) 656-0288 or email rduff@patrickhenry.edu.