Physical Therapist Assistant

Application deadline: February 15 – Fall 2027 materials are not yet available.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Virginia Western Community College prepares you for an exciting career as an integral member of the rehabilitation team and allows you to work in a variety of healthcare settings. The program offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and can be completed in two years, with five semesters dedicated to program-specific courses. The program consists of lecture and lab classes on campus and 17 weeks of hands-on clinical experiences, which allows you to apply classroom knowledge while working with patients under the supervision of licensed clinicians.  

What skills should a physical therapist assistant have?  

• Strong in anatomy and physiology 
• Compassion, caring and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to work independently and on a team 
• Attention to detail and creative problem-solving abilities  

What do physical therapist assistants do? 

• Provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.  
• Implement components of patient care, obtain data related to the treatments provided and collaborate with the PT to modify care as necessary. 
• Work with people of all ages and all backgrounds, including patients with injuries, disabilities and health conditions or those who want to prevent future health conditions. 
• Work in a variety of settings, typically during daytime hours. Some PTAs work weekend hours.  

Why choose Virginia Western’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program? 

• Two dedicated lab spaces on campus allow students to learn and practice their hands-on patient care skills. 
• Students will benefit from many clinical affiliations throughout the Roanoke Valley and the surrounding regions. 
• The program prepares students as generalists, which then allows graduates to focus on a wide range of practice areas.  

Graduates have found employment in settings such as:  

Outpatient physical therapy practices, hospitals, skilled nursing/long-term care facilities, and home health. Graduates are employed with a wide variety large and small companies in the region.  

Transferring

If you’re considering an AAS program and interested in transferring to a four-year college or university, contact a program advisor upon entry to the program to discuss your plans.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Virginia Western Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 540-857-6728 or email jtucker@virginiawestern.edu.

Program Mission

The Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares graduates, through a comprehensive and contemporary curriculum delivered in an environment of academic excellence, to work as competent and professional physical therapist assistants able to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Graduates will be empowered to strengthen their community through personal service and by providing patient-centered care to a diverse population.

Goals

1. The VWCC PTA Program prepares graduates to work as competent and professional entry-level physical therapist assistants able to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
2. The VWCC PTA Program prepares students and graduates to demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, family members and other health care providers.
3. The VWCC PTA Program faculty provide a comprehensive evidence-based curriculum based on contemporary physical therapy practice in a high-quality learning environment.
4. The VWCC PTA Program supports the surrounding community through the service of program faculty and students.
5. The VWCC PTA program prepares students and graduates to work effectively with a diverse community.

Filing Complaints

Any individual may submit a complaint or grievance regarding the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Those wishing to submit a complaint should follow the appropriate steps as outlined below. There will be no retaliation for any complaint or grievance filed with or regarding the PTA program by either the program or by the college. Any complaints that may present a conflict of interest with the program, such as a complaint against the program director, will be handled by the Dean of Health Professions.

Those wishing to submit a complaint or grieve may submit complaints regarding the program by contacting Program Director, Jordan Tucker, PT, DPT at (jtucker@virginiawestern.edu or 540-857-6728). Unresolved complaints or complaints regarding the program director should contact the Dean of Health Professions, Martha Sullivan (msuulivan@virginiawestern.edu or 540-857-6282).

Those individuals wishing to file complaints about the program with the program accrediting body, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), may do so by following the instructions found here: http://www.capteonline.org/Complaints/ or may contact CAPTE directly at 703-706-3245 or accreditation@apta.org.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Current and prospective students located outside the state of Virginia or who may be considering licensure in a state other than Virginia should review the disclosure information for this program here: Virginia Western Professional License Disclosures for Students Outside of Virginia.