Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Physical Therapy?
• Who are Physical Therapist Assistants?
• What does a Physical Therapist Assistant do?
• What is the difference between a PT and a PTA?
• Where do PTA's work?
• What is the job outlook for PTA's?
• What do PTA's earn?
• I'm still in high school, what can I do to prepare?
• What college courses do I need to take as prerequisites to the PTA Program?
• What are the licensure, certification, or registration requirements?
• Will the PTA courses count towards a degree in PT?
• Who do I contact for advising?
• How do I apply to the PTA program?
• What are the minimum requirements for admission to the PTA Program?
• Do I need to volunteer in a physical therapy setting before I apply to the program?
• Why physical therapy at JCTC?

The American Physical Therapy Association defines physical therapy as "...a health profession whose primary purpose is the promotion of optimal human health and function through the application of scientific principles to prevent, identify, assess, correct, or alleviate acute or prolonged movement dysfunction."

Physical Therapy is a profession whose primary purpose is the restoration, maintenance, and promotion of optimal health, function, and quality of life for people of all ages. The science of physical therapy involves the application of therapeutic modalities, techniques, and interventions that help rehabilitate a person to their maximum physical potential. The art of physical therapy is helping people help themselves.

In laws and regulations defining practice, physical therapy is often defined as the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, and includes:

• Examining individuals with impairment, functional limitation, and disability, or other health related conditions in order to determine a physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis and intervention;
• Alleviating impairment and functional limitation by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions;
• Preventing injury, impairment, functional limitation and disability; and
• Engaging in consultation, education, and research.

More information about the profession of physical therapy may be obtained by visiting the American Physical Therapy Association's web site at http://www.apta.org.

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Physical Therapist Assistants, or PTA's, are skilled health care providers who work with and under the supervision of a physical therapist to provide physical therapy services. In order for an individual to practice as a PTA, they must graduate from an accredited PTA program and successfully pass a licensing/certification exam.

PTA's play an integral role in providing physical therapy services for people with various disabilities. When a patient seeks or is referred for physical therapy services, the physical therapist performs an initial evaluation and outlines a plan of care. The PTA can then carry out all or part of the treatment plan as instructed by the physical therapist.

The American Physical Therapy Association recognizes the PTA as the only individual who assists the physical therapist in the delivery of selected physical therapy interventions.

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The physical therapist assistant (PTA) performs physical therapy interventions and related tasks as directed by the supervising physical therapist. Such duties may include training patients in therapeutic exercise and activities of daily living, using physical agents such as cold, heat, electricity, or water for pain relief and healing, instructing persons in the use of assistive devices for walking, participating in wound care, promoting wellness and injury prevention, providing patient and family education, training patients in wheelchair activities, assisting the physical therapist in performing patient assessments and complex interventions, and much more. The PTA also monitors the patient’s response to treatment, performs various tests and measures, documents relevant aspects of patient care, and maintains ongoing communication with the supervising physical therapist, as well as other health care professionals.

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The physical therapist (PT) and the physical therapist assistant (PTA) differ in educational preparation and levels of responsibilities as it relates to the provision of physical therapy services. Today, the overwhelming majority of PT schools educate physical therapists at the Doctorate level, although many practicing therapists were educated when programs required only a Master's or Bachelor’s degree. (The minimim degree required for an entry-level PT is currently a Master's degree, although over 80% of PT programs nationwide have already transitioned to an entry-level Doctorate degree.) The time required to complete a professional (entry-level) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is generally six to seven years, depending on the institution. The PTA is educated at the Associate's degree level, which generally equates to two years of college.

The PTA has a working knowledge of the theory behind treatment interventions, knows pathological conditions being treated, and understands how to apply modalities and techniques used to treat those conditions. The PT has extensive education in evaluative skills, research, and administration, as well as advanced coursework in human anatomy, neuroanatomy, orthopedics, pathology, and therapeutic techniques. Both the PT and the PTA must graduate from accredited programs and pass a licensing examination in order to practice in their respective roles.

Consumers/patients may seek the services of the physical therapist directly, or, the patient may be referred to a physical therapist by a physician. The PT performs the initial examination and evaluation of the patient. The evaluation will result in a physical therapy diagnosis, and as appropriate, the PT will establish goals or outcomes to be accomplished by a physical therapy plan of care and treatment plan. The PTA cannot perform the initial examination or evaluation; however, the PTA may assist the PT in collecting data. Following the evaluation of the patient, the PTA may perform selected interventions and data collection as directed by the PT. The PTA must always work under the supervision of a physical therapist. The collaborative relationship between the PT/PTA is highly effective and valued, and the team greatly contributes to the success of the overall rehabilitation process.

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PTA's work in hospitals, private practices, community health centers, corporate or industrial health centers, sports medicine facilities, research institutions, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, schools, and pediatric facilities. PTA's may also teach in colleges and universities. Full-time PTA's generally work a 40-hour week, Monday through Friday, with some practice settings requiring weekend or evening hours in order to meet the needs of patients served.

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The employment outlook for PTA's is generally very good throughout the United States at the present time. In the Kentucky/Southern Indiana market, the job outlook is very positive. Our graduates have historically reported little to no difficulties in securing employment. In fact, our recent surveys indicate that 100% of graduates responding are employed as physical therapist assistants.

Employment trends for the PTA have historically been positive, despite the profession moving though a changing healthcare market. The 1980s were characterized by a significant shortage of both PT's and PTA's in the United States. The high demand for PT services produced attractive salary packages for therapists, sign-on bonuses, and created a flood of applicants for academic programs. In response to the shortage of therapists, there was a dramatic increase in the number of physical therapy programs during the 1990’s. Also during this time period, reimbursement for physical therapy services was influenced by the growth of “Managed Care” and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which altered Medicare reimbursement in virtually all practice settings. By 1999 and due to the market changes, the supply and demand for PTs and PTA's became more evenly matched throughout the United States. Job opportunities became fewer, employment perks more limited, and part-time/per diem jobs more popular. Although the job market tightened over this time, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, still cited PTA as an area of growth.

Today's market indicates an increased demand for both PT's and PTA's. Aging “baby boomers”, advances in medical technologies, and a renewed emphasis on health and wellness are all contributing factors to the continued growth of the physical therapy profession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, projects employment rates for the PTA to increase much faster than average through 2014. (http://www.bls.gov) Current graduates enjoy a variety of practice opportunities in an open employment market.

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Earnings of PTA's depend on the employment setting and geographic location as well as the individual's training and experience. According to 2004 APTA membership profiles, the median income for full-time physical therapist assistants ranges from $33,140 to $40,000 depending on geographic region. Median income for the East South Central Region (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee ) was $38,000. Median income for full-time physical therapist assistants with one to three years of experience was $34,000.

The 2004 General Employer Survey, conducted by Jefferson's PTA Program with 22 employers within our service area reporting salary information, indicated an average salary range of $14.34 to $20.83 per hour ($29,822 - $43,336) for the physical therapist assistant.

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In order to prepare for college studies, take advantage of both math and science elective courses while in high school. Courses like Chemistry, Physics, Algebra II and Calculus, will also help your performance on the ACT. Reading and English courses are also imperative as health care workers require sufficient communication skills to interact with individuals and to communicate their needs promptly and effectively.

If you plan on enrolling at JCTC and applying to the PTA program immediately upon graduation, you will need to plan ahead. The deadline for application to the PTA Program is April 1 of the year for which you are applying for admission. This means that you will need to attend a spring pre-admission conference and/or meet with the PTA Program Coordinator during your senior year of high school. You will also need to take the ACT or SAT, as this exam is a minimum requirement for program admission.

When you begin your college coursework, you must be prepared to take BIO137 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I) during your first semester. In order to register for this course, you will need to demonstrate your academic preparedness by achieving certain benchmarks on either the ACT or JCTC's Compass Test, which is a general assessment test given to entering freshmen. Students falling below these marks must complete other academic requirements before registering for BIO137. For more information, please contact the PTA Coordinator or the college's Advising Center.

Lastly....EXPLORE YOUR CAREER CHOICE ! It is very important for you to have a good understanding of the profession you are about to enter. One of the reasons we require our program applicants to have volunteer hours is to expose individuals to the profession of physical therapy. Volunteering allows you to see exactly what physical therapists and physical therapist assistants do on a day-to-day basis. Additionally, you will be exposed to the health care environment and the professional behaviors required of PT’s and PTA’s. What better way to learn about physical therapy than to see it in action! As long as you meet the minimum age requirements for a hospital volunteer, then you are ready to begin planning your PTA volunteer experience. Most hospitals, rehab centers, and physical therapy clinics are very familiar with our volunteer requirements and willingly accept students in this capacity. Again, gaining exposure to the field will also help to confirm your career choice.

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With Jefferson Community & Technical College's "integrated" program format, the only absolute prerequisite for the first semester PTA program course is the successful completion of BIO137, Human Anatomy & Physiology I. Successful completion is defined as a grade of "C" or better. Students applying to the program must have already successfully completed BIO137, be currently enrolled in BIO137, or be planning to take this course during the summer semester. Students will not be allowed to begin the program without successful completion of BIO137.

Students admitted to the PTA program must successfully complete BIO139, Human Anatomy & Physiology II, prior to beginning the second semester (1st Spring) program coursework. Students may integrate other general education courses as desired, however, all general education coursework must be completed prior to beginning the second year of the PTA program.

Every year, there are students who decide for various reasons to complete all general education courses prior to applying to the program. This strategy advantages the part-time student, as they complete general education courses on their own schedule without the time restrictions of the program student. Students who have completed all general education courses prior to entering the program can remain a part-time student during the first year of the PTA program. The second year of the program, however, requires a full-time commitment.

For a complete listing of general education requirements, please refer to the Curriculum Outline. For a sample curriculum progression plan, please refer to the PTA Program Curriculum Guide.

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The legal requirements to practice physical therapy and the legal scope of practice are regulated by a "practice act" in each state. Individual states have different laws and regulations concerning the requirements that will permit an individual to practice as a physical therapist assistant.

In Kentucky and Indiana, the PTA program graduate must apply for licensure and successfully complete a certification examination before practicing as a physical therapist assistant. Graduates of the PTA program at Jefferson Community & Technical College are eligible to sit for examination in any state offering a PTA licensure/certification exam.

For information on the Kentucky Physical Therapy Practice Act, click here. For information about licensure/certification in any other state, click here.

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No. The physical therapist assistant program is not a stepping-stone for a degree in physical therapy. Most of the general education courses required of the PTA degree will count as general education credit towards a bachelor’s degree, however, the PTA courses do not. If you are interested in a career as a physical therapist, you should contact selected physical therapy programs to learn about program admission requirements.

Although each PT school may have slightly different admission requirements, you should be able to complete the majority of prerequisite courses at Jefferson Community & Technical College. The PTA faculty will be happy to provide you with advising assistance.

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Individual academic advising is available for any student interested in physical therapy as a career. Students may contact any of the PTA Program faculty members to schedule an appointment for academic advising. Faculty offices are located on the Downtown Campus in Suite 316 of the Louisville Vocational (VTI) Building. Students are strongly encouraged to read through the curriculum guide and review this web site prior to meeting with an advisor. For PTA Program Faculty information, please visit our faculty page.

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In order to apply, you must attend a pre-admission conference or meet with the Program Coordinator. The application deadline is April 1 for the year in which you are applying. Pre-admission/general advising conferences are scheduled at various times and locations during the academic year. To obtain a pre-admission conference schedule, contact the PTA Program Coordinator or refer to the printed conference schedule in the PTA Program Curriculum Guide.

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In order to be considered by the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Admissions Committee for entrance into the PTA program, the applicant must present with the following credentials:

• Application for admission to the college;
• High School transcript indicating the applicant has or will complete a high school course of study or a passing GED official score report;
• Official transcript of all post-secondary education;
• ACT or SAT score report; and
• Documentation of a minimum of 8 hours of physical therapy observation and/or experience, of which 4 hours must be in a hospital physical therapy department.

Students admitted to the PTA program must have completed BIO137, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, with a "C" or better, prior to entering the program.

Preference is given to:

• Candidates who demonstrate above average standing in high school or on the General Development Examination (GED);
• Applicants with an ACT composite score of 19 or higher;
• Applicants who have completed 12 or more credit hours in the approved curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from any accredited college.
• Kentucky residents; and
• Applicants who have completed more than 8 hours of observation and/or experience.

Official program policy on admission criteria may be found in the PTA Program Curriculum Guide.

Jefferson Community & Technical College is an Equal Opportunity Institution. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is committed to a policy of providing educational opportunities to all qualified students regardless of economic or social status, and will not discriminate based on race, color, sex, marital status, beliefs, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability.

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Yes. It is very important for you to have a good understanding of the profession you are about to enter. Volunteering allows you to see exactly what physical therapists and physical therapist assistants do on a day-to-day basis. Additionally, you will be exposed to the health care environment and the professional behaviors required of PT’s and PTA’s.

Most hospitals, rehab centers, and physical therapy clinics are very familiar with our volunteer requirements and willingly accept students in this capacity. Gaining exposure to the field of physical therapy will also help to confirm your career choice.

Work related hours in a physical therapy setting may count as volunteer experience, provided that at least some of those hours are in an acute care (hospital) physical therapy setting.

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Jefferson Community and Technical College has been graduating successful clinicians since the program’s initial accreditation in 1977. The program has a rich tradition of graduating students who successfully achieve licensure and become effective clinicians throughout the region. The PTA faculty are committed to providing all students with a stimulating and comprehensive learning experience. Our program is one where students feel safe to express their opinions and where there is mutual respect between faculty and students.

Program students have access to state-of-the-art physical therapy laboratory equipment, 3 full-time instructors having over 50 years of combined experience, over 50 clinical affiliation sites throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana, and all student support services offered by the college. JCTC’s tuition rates are also extremely affordable.

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