Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant

Did you know that 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?

Begin your journey today towards a rewarding career that allows you to be a part of a patient’s recovery process as they return to function.

The application deadline will be February 15, 2023 for the Fall 2023 Program. Please see the Apply Now page for more information regarding the Fall 2023 admissions cycle.

Accreditation of Program

Effective November 2, Virginia Western Community College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org).  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 540-857-6728 or email jtucker@virginiawestern.edu.

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.

Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program.  Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure.  Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT’s website.

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.

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 will prepare 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 will prepare students and graduates to demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, family members and other health care providers.
3. The VWCC PTA Program faculty will provide a comprehensive evidence-based curriculum based on contemporary physical therapy practice within an atmosphere of academic excellence.
4. The VWCC PTA Program support the surrounding community through the service of program faculty and students.
5. The VWCC PTA Program will promote the importance of cultural competence and working effectively with a diverse community to create a culture and practice of inclusion and empowerment.

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.