A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is an individual who, upon graduating from an accredited program and passing a licensure examination, is qualified to provide physical therapy services to patients. The PTA works under the supervision of a professional physical therapist in a variety of settings including hospitals, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, health maintenance organizations, school settings, and outpatient clinics.
Physical therapist assistant programs in Tennessee's state community college system are accredited two-year associate degree programs that prepare graduates to perform selected components of patient treatment and assessment under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. These PTA programs combine general education courses, physical therapy lectures and laboratory courses, and clinical education to produce competent, caring, quality-oriented physical therapist assistants who are prepared for taking the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and for entering the field of physical therapy with the required knowledge, skills, and behaviors of an entry-level PTA.
Graduates of the Volunteer State Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program are eligible to apply for licensure in any state and, if approved by that state, sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for PTA licensure or certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.
Information Sessions
Potential applications are required to attend an information session where the PTA Program, class schedules, application procedures, enrollment requirements, and acceptance policies are discussed in detail. Information sessions are held once a month: No reservation is necessary to attend.
Physical Therapist Assistant 2024 Information Session Dates. All information sessions will be held virtually through Zoom. Please email regina.brown@volstate.edu if you are interested in attending an information session.
- September 4, 2024 @ 1:00 p.m.
- October 2, 2024 @ 1:00 p.m.
- November 6, 2024 @ 1:00 p.m.
- December 4, 2024 @ 1:00 p.m.
Partnership With the Clay Walker Foundation
Vol State's PTA program and the Clay Walker Foundation (CWF) are pioneering a partnership that supports those living with Multiple Sclerosis. Faculty in the PTA program will provide students with an educational opportunity as faculty deliver interventions to those diagnosed with MS Clients are identified through CWF and by community professionals.
Read more about this partnership
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Volunteer State Community College is accredited by:
Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Telephone: 703-706-3245
Email: accrediation@apta.org
Website: http://www.capteonline.org
CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist assistant programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 615-230-3332 or 615-230-3336 or email regina.brown@volstate.edu.
