Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Mission

The Spokane Falls Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program and faculty are committed to developing lifelong learning through excellence in educational and clinical experiences to enable the student to possess skills necessary for successful employment within varied scope of physical therapy practice. The program will strive to admit and graduate students who demonstrate professional behaviors which includes effective communication, commitment to learning, critical thinking, responsibility and therapeutic presence and who will provide physical therapy services ethically within the standards of practice under the guidance and supervision of physical therapists.

Please contact the PTA Program Director for any Concerns regarding the program: Marie.cole@sfcc.spokane.edu or 509-279-6224.

Admission Requirements

• Apply for admission to SFCC.

• Completion of the physical therapist assistant program application booklet which is available at the SFCC counseling center. Applications are due by the deadline noted in the program application booklet.

• 2.0 or better in one quarter anatomy and physiology lab course (BIOL 241 or equivalent). 

• Documentation of either paid work or volunteer experience in a medical setting (preferably physical therapy).

Admission Recommendations

Since the selection process is based on points (please see the application), it is beneficial to meet the admission recommendations prior to applying to the program. 

• Appropriate placement test scores for English and math (unless you already have received a 2.0 in a college level English and Math course). If you have not taken college level math, after receiving your Student Identification Number (SID), call to schedule your placement exam at the SFCC testing center at 509-533-3401. 

• General Psychology (PSYC 100)

• At least 40 hours of experience in a physical therapy setting

Upon Admission

• Satisfactory TOEFL scores for students where English is their second language (contact the program for acceptable scores). Please refer to www.ets.org/toefl for more information. 

• Each successful PTA applicant may be required to complete a background check, drug testing and submit proof of immunization. Clinical facilities may deny access to a student for any of the following: 

  • Lack of current immunizations required by the site

  • A "discrepancy" on the criminal background check

  • A positive drug test

While entrance to the PTA Program may not be denied because of such a rating, without access to the clinical facilities a student may not be able to satisfactorily complete the PTA program and will be so advised. 

Essential requirements needed for the profession which include communication skills, cognitive demands, physical skills and behavioral, social and professional skills are discussed in greater detail in the program information booklet.

The PTA program incorporates a selective process for admission. This process uses a point system based on coursework and experience as outlined in the application. Please be aware that the completion of all prerequisites does not ensure admission to the program.

Interested PTA program applicants do not need to take BIOL 160 (Biology) as a prerequisite for BIOL 241 (Anatomy and Physiology). Please contact Loren Pemberton (509-533-3503 or Loren.Pemberton@sfcc.spokane.edu) regarding this prerequisite.

The technical courses for the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program are not designed to transfer to four-year schools.

A national licensing examination is required for most states in order to practice as a physical therapist assistant.

Accreditation

Spokane Falls Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Spokane Falls Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Address: 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-706-3245
email: accreditation@apta.org
Website: www.capteonline.org

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call the Program Director at 509-279-6224 or e-mail marie.cole@sfcc.spokane.edu

Date of Initial Accreditation: May 1997
Accredited: December 31, 2011 - December 21, 2021

Student and Graduate Goals and Outcomes

1. Students admitted to the Physical Therapist Assistant program will graduate as entry- level physical therapist assistants who provide services in a variety of patient care settings under the supervision of a physical therapist.

2. Students demonstrate professional behaviors including effective communication, commitment to learning, critical thinking, responsibility and therapeutic presence.

3. Graduates will obtain employment as physical therapist assistants.

4. Graduates will practice within ethical standards and deliver therapy services in a competent, caring and compassionate manner.

Student Outcomes

1. Number of applicants who were offered a place in the class (some may not have enrolled).

2. Applicants who were offered a place in the class who enrolled and began the program.

3. Pass rate is based on the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy data.

4. Graduate survey data.

Clinical education experiences play an important role in physical therapy education. Through clinical experiences, students are given the opportunity to develop and refine skills learned in the classroom by giving actual patient care in the clinic under structured supervision. For more information, see the Clinical Instructor Handbook.