Physical Therapist Assistant

Abbreviations

CAPTE: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The organization responsible for accreditation oversight of PT and PTA programs in the U.S.

PD: Program Director. The full-time GCC faculty member who lead the academic and administrative operations of the PTA program, ensuring compliance with CAPTE accreditation standards.

DCE: Director of Clinical Education. The full-time GCC faculty member is responsible for clinical placements and student assessment in clinical placements, as well as other teaching duties.  

Additional Documents

• Final Advising Worksheet
• Essential Functions Form for the Physical Therapist Assistant Student
• Introductory Letter and Evaluation Tool for Clinical Observation/Volunteer Hours 

Accreditation Status of the PTA Program

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Germanna Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave. Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 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 540-423-9821 or email ptassistant@germanna.edu.

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by CAPTE is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.  

A link to confirmation of the accreditation status is available on the Germanna PTA Program website by clicking on the CAPTE logo.

General Information

Currency of Information: Please see the current GCC College Catalog and refer to the PTA program website to ensure up-to-date information. Information in this packet is subject to change.  

Germanna Community College administers the PTA program and core curriculum, regardless of site of attendance. Students who are accepted to the program register for all PTA core courses (PTH-prefixed) through Germanna, and successful graduates receive the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Physical Therapist Assistant from GCC. Students may take pre- or co-requisite courses at other Virginia Community College schools and/or other colleges and universities as long as they have transcripts sent to and evaluated by Germanna for applicable, transferable credit.  

The program is located on the Germanna Locust Grove Campus in Locust Grove, Virginia. A new cohort is accepted to begin the program each fall semester. There are four semesters in the technical portion of the program: fall, spring, fall, spring. Students must take the PTH-prefixed courses of the technical portion of the program in a prescribed sequence. The courses offered primarily follow a daytime, face-to-face format. Students should expect to devote 40 hours per week to the PTA program when in session. The courses in each semester must be successfully completed to proceed to the next academic semester and coursework. Currently, Germanna does not accept courses from other PTA Programs as transferrable credits.  

Applications are submitted electronically between 15 April and 15 May of each year through the PTA website portal. Admission to the PTA program is competitive; class size is limited to 12 each year and not all qualified applicants can be accepted. Program faculty are available to meet with students not accepted into the program to determine “next steps” in their academic endeavors.  

A standardized system is in place which includes a point designation for criteria presented in detail in the section “Selective Admissions Process”.

Mission of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program

The mission of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Germanna Community College is to prepare successful graduates of a comprehensive and contemporary program of study who have the knowledge, skills and attitudes expected of entry-level physical therapist assistants, and who are able to meet the employment needs of the surrounding communities.

Additional Materials

The following supporting materials are available online:

• Required outpatient volunteer/observation hours form
• Germanna Enrollment Forms: These include the Transcript Evaluation Request Form and Student Financial Aid Forms. The Requestion to Change Program of Study is found on this website under “New or Returning Students.”
• Inpatient video on Phyllis while in Intensive Care. This is the inpatient video. Required watching is necessary to complete the application essay.
• Germanna Transcript Evaluation Request Form 

The Profession of Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy is a profession primarily concerned with the treatment and management of impairments and disabilities and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential through therapeutic exercise, functional training, and a variety of modalities.

The Role of the Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of the Physical Therapist (PT). The Physical Therapist evaluates the patient and determines an individualized plan of care for each patient, designed to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. The PTA then carries out the plan of care under the supervision of the PT, who is responsible for the services provided by the PTA. PTAs work closely with Physical Therapists and other members of the healthcare team to ensure patient success in achieving optimal functional ability.

PTAs work with people of all ages, from birth to old age, and in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, private practice, school systems, and sports programs. PTAs address mobility deficits with interventions such as teaching therapeutic exercises, applying therapeutic modalities, performing manual stretching or soft tissue mobilization, teaching a patient to walk using an assistive device, teaching a family member to assist a patient, improving body mechanics for safety in the workplace, or instructing parents how to manage mobility issues in children.

Job Market for Physical Therapist Assistants

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physical therapist assistants is expected to spike upward by 16% between 2024 and 2034—a much higher rate than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median income of $60,050 for PTAs in 2024, depending on position, experience, degree, geographic location and practice setting.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics website for PTAs

“There are several driving factors in this faster-than-average job growth. Rising populations of both aging baby boomers and those with chronic health issues, such as diabetes and obesity, are expected to increasingly require the services of physical therapist assistants. Medical and technological advances, which help save the lives of trauma victims or newborns with birth defects, are also creating more work for these professionals, since PTAs are increasingly needed to provide therapeutic services to these individuals.” —U.S. News and World Report

Predicted population growth in the region supports the growing need for qualified health care personnel in central and northwest Virginia. Additionally, the Veterans Administration outpatient healthcare facility is now open in Spotsylvania County, increasing the need for rehabilitation clinicians in the area.

In addition to academic standards, certain behavioral expectations exist for the successful PTA Program candidate, outlined below. Applicants should review these expectations carefully and discuss any concerns with the PTA faculty advisors.

• The decision to work in a health care profession should be based on an understanding of various health care settings. The candidate should be willing to provide care across the care continuum, and to patients who are critically or terminally ill, have a communicable disease, or are severely injured or disabled.
• The candidate should feel comfortable providing treatment to all individuals without prejudice, regardless of gender, age, race, cultural background, religious affiliation, socio-economic status, or personal lifestyle choices or conditions.
• The candidate should have a basic understanding of and agree with the philosophy and practice of physical therapy and the role of the physical therapist assistant.
• Practicing health care professionals must demonstrate personal responsibility for their actions and should be willing to accept constructive criticism both in the classroom and the clinical environment.
• Significant physical demands are placed on the physical therapist assistant student and practicing PTA, including lifting, bending, reaching and manipulating equipment. These requirements and other abilities are outlined in “Essential Functions of the Physical Therapist Assistant Student,” included in this packet. The candidate will be asked to acknowledge understanding of these standards of physical and cognitive performance as part of the application.
• The candidate must be willing to abide by guidelines governing the use of social media relative to their experiences in the PTA Program.
• The candidate will be prepared to comply with the policies of GCC (and Laurel Ridge, where applicable), the Division of Nursing and Health Technologies, the PTA Program, and partnering clinical facilities, including vaccination and background check requirements.
• The candidate will be prepared to abide by dress code, appearance, personal behavior, and hygiene guidelines befitting a member of the healthcare profession.

Vaccinations

Germanna students enrolled in health care programs requiring clinical placements must meet the vaccination and credential standards required by the facilities to which they are assigned throughout their designated program of study. Inability to meet these requirements may impact the student’s ability to graduate from this program of study.

The following immunizations are required:

• TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
• Varicella
• MMR
• Hepatitis B series
• Influenza
• Tuberculosis
• COVID-19**

**Although Germanna Community College does not require all health professional students to be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine to be admitted into a restricted admissions health program, the vaccination (and other immunizations and vaccinations) may be required by our clinical facilities in order for our students to enter these facilities. A clinical facility's decision to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine or other vaccines and immunizations is independent of Germanna Community College.

Germanna Community College faculty and students must comply with the policies required by clinical facilities with which we have legal agreements. If a student refuses to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement, Germanna Community College will attempt, but cannot guarantee, to assign a student to an alternative clinical facility. A student will be placed in an alternative location only if it meets the educational objectives of Germanna Community College and program requirements for clinical placement. Faculty also must be available to appropriately supervise students at the clinical facility. Refusal to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement by a student in our health programs may impede your progress in the program or your ability to remain in the program. Vaccination status is a component of the information manager and will be reviewed by the DCE prior to students participating in clinical education experiences.

Criminal Background Check/Drug Screen

A criminal/sex offender background check is required as part of the admission process after an offer of conditional acceptance has been made. Many clinical sites may deny a student with a criminal record access to its clinical units. The cost of the background check is the responsibility of the student. Instructions for ordering the required background checks and drug screen through ViewPoint are available by emailing ptassistant@germanna.edu. The background check and drug screen must be completed after receiving the offer of conditional acceptance and prior to the start of the fall academic semester. Any student who does not pass the background check or drug screen must resolve this issue directly with the agency that conducted the search. Unresolved issues presented in the criminal background checks or drug screens will result in invalid application, or dismissal from the program. Students will be screened for felony convictions (including barrier crimes outlined in the Code of Virginia) and misdemeanor drug and alcohol convictions. An exception is made for a single alcohol-related misdemeanor conviction more than five years ago. Applicants who have been convicted of a barrier crime will have considerable difficulty fulfilling the clinical placements required during the program and obtaining professional licensure in a healthcare field. Applicants who present a criminal record may not be offered admission to the PTA program. 

In addition to the information provided here, applicants are directed to the College Catalog (PTA Program Pathway) for the year of application.

Basic Academic Requirements

The following presents academic competency requirements that may impact a student’s ability to enroll in the program prerequisites discussed below. Students are responsible for ensuring that these competencies are met.

English Competency—Students are required to meet college policy for enrollment in ENG 111

Math Competency—Students must demonstrate math competency through eligibility for MTH 154 with or without corequisite support, in accordance with Germanna Community College Direct Enrollment policy.

Science Qualifications—In order to register for BIO 141, students must demonstrate competency in one of the following ways:

• BIO 101 within 5 years of application
• Score of 70% or higher on the NAS2MOOC

Courses Required Prior to Application

These five (5) prerequisite courses must be completed prior to or during the semester in which the student applies to the PTA program.

• BIO 141: Anatomy and Physiology I (grade of B or better within 5 years)  
• ENG 111: College Composition I (or awarded CLEP or AP/IB credit)  
• PSY 230: Developmental Psychology
• SDV 101 or 100: Orientation to Healthcare or College Success Skills (or earned bachelor’s degree)
• Humanities Elective: ART, ENG LIT, HUM, MUS, PHI, REL, Foreign Language or American Sign Language course.

Co-requisite Courses

Recommended Prior to Application; Required for Graduation

These courses may be completed prior to or during the technical portion of the program. Students are reminded that taking these co-requisite courses prior to starting the PTA program may impact financial aid, particularly in fall semester of second year. We are required to build time in the curriculum for students to complete these courses.  

• BIO 142: Anatomy and Physiology II
• SOC 200: Principles of Sociology
• HLT 105*: AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification course

*Should be taken in the summer prior to the first semester of the PTA program, or during the first fall semester of the PTA program. If a student takes HLT 105 for the college and program credit and their CPR credential expires while in the program, the student is responsible for getting recertified in American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. The Mary Washington Hospital Training Center offers recertification courses. At this time, there is no provision for the college to offer credit for prior learning by taking an online course and the separate skills testing.

As early as possible:

1. Apply for admission to Germanna Community College.
2. Complete the Transcript Evaluation Request Form if any required courses were taken at colleges other than Germanna. This includes other VCCS colleges. Ensure that transcripts from all other colleges attended are on file with the GCC Admissions and Records office prior to the program application deadline date. Transcripts are not required for courses taken at VCCS colleges. See Welcome Center staff for assistance. Students should also note that in order to receive the associate degree, the college must have on file an official transcript showing a high school or higher completed degree.
3. Attend a Physical Therapist Assistant Information Session (dates and locations are announced on the PTA Program website). Students will be able to attend information sessions via Zoom meetings.
4. Demonstrate math competency through eligibility for MTH 154 with or without corequisite support, in accordance with college Direct Enrollment policy.
5. Complete the prerequisite general education courses SDV 101 (preferred) OR SDV 100, ENG 111, BIO 141, PSY 230, and the Humanities elective) or show advanced standing proficiency per college guidelines. BIO 141 must be completed with a grade of “B” or better; the remainder must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. These courses must be completed prior to or during the semester of application. Students are encouraged to take the remaining general education courses required for graduation (BIO 142 and SOC 200) prior to beginning the PTA program if possible. When alternative grading options exist, applicants must ensure they are receiving a letter grade in BIO 141 or its equivalent transfer course.
6. Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better. A “C” in the PTA program is 75%-84.99%.
7. Complete the TEAS test offered through GCC Testing Services for Germanna students.
8. Complete 20 documented volunteer/observation hours in an outpatient physical therapy setting under the direct supervision of a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant, within two years of application. The supervisor rating form must be received by the PTA Program by the application deadline of 15 May each year. Previous work experience as a Physical Therapy aide or technician may be used for these hours. See observation evaluation form for details. Currently, the observation form accounts for 20 points on the application and five additional points are awarded if the form is submitted prior to application closing date.  
9. Meet with a PTA program faculty member for completion of the Faculty Advising Review Checklist within 6 months prior to the application deadline, and no later than two weeks prior to the application deadline. (15 Nov - 1 May). You do not need to wait until all application components are completed to have a Final Advising meeting. Contact a faculty member via email for an appointment, which may take place in person or via Zoom meeting.
10. Complete the online PTA Program Application. The portal opens on 15 April and closes on 15 May each year. This is subject to change by the Registrar in consultation with the program director.  
11. Submit an updated transcript to Admissions and Records to show completion of any required general education courses taken outside the VCCS during the semester of application.
12. Additionally, Admissions and Records will need a copy of each student’s high school diploma and/or transcript which is required for GCC graduation.  

Note: It is recommended that General Education requirements be completed within five years prior to application to the program. It is mandatory that BIO 141 be completed within the five years prior to admission, unless waived by the Program Director.

Applicants who have completed a high school International Baccalaureate (IB) program may have coursework that can qualify for the Humanities elective. See a counselor for details.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all application materials are submitted by the appropriate deadline. Deadline dates are subject to change, and students are advised to visit the PTA program website regularly for any updates. Upon completion of any additional courses at non-VCCS institutions, an updated official transcript must be sent to the Admissions and Records Office as soon as it is available.

Final Advising: November 15 through May 1 annually

Application Portal window:  April 15 through May 15 annually

Notification of Conditional Acceptance: Mid- to late June

Deadline to accept conditional acceptance and complete additional program requirements (background and drug screen, medical portal purchase, etc.): Four to six weeks after conditional letters of acceptance are sent out via email

A waiting list of applicants who were not offered conditional acceptance will be maintained until the deadline noted above. Should an opening in the cohort of 12 become available for whatever reason, the waiting list will be worked in the order of qualifications.

Mandatory Program Orientation: During the week prior to the first day of classes (usually one day at Locust Grove)

Classes begin: Late August

Students are selected for the PTA program on a competitive basis, with twelve (12) students accepted annually into the GCC program.

Applications are reviewed for completeness by Admissions and Records. Applicants are ranked by Admissions and Records staff using the priority points described below. Once the top 12 applicants are identified, have confirmed conditional program acceptance and come back with a clear background check and drug screen, the remaining applicants will be informed that they are not under consideration for the PTA Program.

Students must meet the following basic expectations in order to be considered for entry into the PTA program:

• Attend a PTA Program Information Session Zoom Meeting
• Return signed Student Data Form/Final Advising Form and Essential Functions form
• Complete Final Advising meeting with a PTA Program faculty member
• Complete required coursework, observation hours and TEAS test by the application deadline

Admissions Priority Points Categories

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS): Minimum required score of 45% or higher in all four categories. There are 50 points possible for TEAS on a sliding scale based on the student’s average across the four domains. TEAS is 50% of the application process.  

Volunteer/observation experience evaluations: 25 points and 25% of the application process

Personal Essay Statement: 25 points and 25% of the application process

TEAS Examination Details

Students will register for the TEAS examination through the Germanna Community College Testing Center at Locust Grove. Currently, Germanna will pay for the first TEAS test for a student applying to Germanna programs There is a fee for the exam (currently $72.00, including a distance proctoring fee), payable at the testing center at the time of testing if you choose to take the exam a second time or are testing for a program not at Germanna.  

Students must first create an account at www.ATItesting.com, and select Germanna Allied Health from the list of institutions. The student then contacts Germanna’s Testing Center at LGCTesting@germanna.edu to request a test date/time, which is either a morning or afternoon block of time. There are “blackout” times (March 14 through April 14), so plan ahead. The deadline is May 1 of the year of application. The test may be done in-person at Germanna Locust Grove campus or proctored online. In any case, the Germanna Testing Center handles the scheduling of the test and provides instructions to the student. Detailed guidance is provided in the TEAS Instructions document on the PTA Program webpage under Forms and Documents.

Admission points will be earned on a sliding scale based on performance on the examination. The TEAS test consists of four sections: Reading; English and Language Usage; Mathematics; and Science. The composite score (all four sections combined) will be used to award priority points. Students may retake the TEAS components for a total of two attempts; a minimum wait of 14 days is required before any retake. Without completing extra study for the exam, a retake does not guarantee a higher score, based on past results. The most recent test results will be used for the application.  

Study materials are available on the ATI website for students concerned about standardized tests of this nature.

Students taking the TEAS somewhere besides Locust Grove must log into your ATI account and request your TEAS transcript to be submitted to Germanna CC. There is a transcript fee of $30 payable to ATI. This is the format that ATI has in place to notify the Germanna Testing Center to put your scores into the Student Information System (SIS).

Germanna Testing Services—TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)

As of March 16, 2024, the TEAS is the preadmission test for GCC's nursing, dental, and physical therapist assistant programs. The TEAS is a four-part assessment with subsections in Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English & Language Usage. The testing centers and Proctorio provide in-person and remote test proctoring services only to students who plan to apply to the Germanna Community College Nursing & Health Technologies program.

Dental & Physical Therapist Assistant Programs

• Two TEAS attempts are allowed. Students must wait 14 days before a retake and complete all subjects. The highest score of each subject is factored into the ranking process.
• The minimum score for dental hygiene and PTA students is 45% per subject.
• There is no benchmark score for dental assisting students.
• For information on the dental program, please contact msraymundo-thompson@germanna.edu.

Appointment Requests

• Create an account at the ATI website. Select Germanna Health Sciences TEAS.
• Allow 5 business days (excluding weekends, holidays, and unexpected closings) for processing appointment requests.
• Allow 3.5 hours to take the test. Each section is timed.
• Students requiring a test accommodation (extended time, etc.) must contact this link to the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) and reach out to Mr. Win Stevens via email (wstevens@germanna.edu) before scheduling an appointment. Your appointment will not be confirmed until Testing Services receives approval of your accommodation from OAR.
• TEAS testing appointments MUST be scheduled in advance. We do not accommodate same-day testing requests.
• Appointment requests must be emailed to LGCTesting@germanna.edu. Include the following information:
  • Full legal name
  • Germanna / VCCS Student ID Number
  • Primary contact phone number
  • Type of laptop used for remote proctoring: MacBook or Windows (cannot use a Chromebook or iPad)
  • Preferred testing mode: Testing Center or Proctorio (remote proctoring)
  • Preferred date and time:
    • Fredericksburg & Locust Grove Testing Centers: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.
    • Stafford Testing Center: Monday or Thursday at 9 a.m. only. Seats are limited.
    • Proctorio*: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.
  • Program of Study: LPN-RN, PN, RN, Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting or Physical Therapist Assistant

*A 30-minute Dry-Run session via Zoom is required at least 2 to 3 business days before the test day.)

Other Important Information

• TEAS and other health professional tests are NOT offered during any semester's Finals Week.
• TEAS scores obtained must be within three years of applying.
• If you tested at another institution, your official TEAS transcript must be submitted by ATI. ECPI scores are not accepted. NVCC enters students’ TEAS scores in SIS and only tests three categories, not four. You must have all four for application to the GCC PTA Program.

Volunteer/Observation Hours (rated by PT/PTA supervisor)

Applicants are evaluated by a supervising PT or PTA in the facility in which they complete observation or volunteer hours, using a standardized instrument, the Observation Evaluation Form. The observation evaluation form is returned to Germanna by the supervising clinician, following instructions on the form, and scores recorded. Points are earned for listening skills, verbalization, interest, behavior, and professionalism, as noted on the form, available in Forms and Documents on the PTA website. Forms must be returned to the PTA email inbox link at ptassistant@germanna.edu and a licensed PT or PTA must sign and date the form as well as including their license number.  

Students are advised to arrive on time, dressed appropriately for a healthcare setting. Students should also make notes about the experience, which will be useful for the application essay.

Essay

Students will use this link to view the PT from ICU to hospital discharge video of physical therapy treatment in an inpatient setting as well as their outpatient observation experience to compose the essay. Essays are graded anonymously by PTA program faculty after they have been assigned applicant numbers by Admissions and Records staff. The scores are averaged and recorded by Admissions and Records. Applicants are directed to the Essay Instructions and Rubric in this packet.

Transfer Students

Official transfer credit evaluations are completed when both the official transcripts and a Transcript Evaluation Request Form are received by Admissions and Records. Students should submit outside transcripts by April 1 of the year of application, to ensure timely recording of required credits, and as soon as possible for courses taken during the semester of application. Transcripts should be sent to the following link: transcripts@germanna.edu. The transcript evaluation request form may be submitted at any time and should be submitted to the same email address. An earned bachelor’s degree in any field of study waives the SDV requirement. Coursework transferred to GCC must represent collegiate coursework applicable to the student’s curriculum, with course content and level of instruction at least equivalent to those of students enrolled in Germanna’s curricula. Coursework from regionally accredited institutions typically meets the criteria. Any VCCS course will transfer as the same course at any other college in the VCCS (some course numbers may be different) without providing a transcript. However, the Transcript Evaluation Request Form must be completed by the student. Students requiring assistance are directed to contact the Admissions and Records Office.

The Germanna PTA Program does not currently have a process in place to accept PTA transfer students from other programs. Any future change to this policy will be posted on the PTA Program website.

Admission Decisions

Final ranking considers overall GPA as well as points for observation, essay and TEAS testing. The students with the highest total scores are selected for admission. Remaining applicants are placed on an alternate list, in descending order of ranking. GPA is used in the event of a tie on the other criteria.  

Students selected for conditional acceptance to the program are notified via email and will be asked to confirm intent to enroll by a specified date. In the event an accepted student does not confirm intent to enroll, alternates are notified in the same manner. Any remaining students are notified of non-admission; however, the alternate list is maintained in the event of any last-minute withdrawals or changes to application standing.

If a student’s overall GPA falls below the required 2.5 as a result of courses taken during the semester of application, the student will lose their ranking and will be removed from the qualified list until the student’s overall GPA returns to 2.5 or better and they rectify any unacceptable grades, at which time they may be reinstated to the list of qualified students.

Applications do not carry over from year to year. Unsuccessful applicants may resubmit a new application the next cycle. The process for re-applying is the same as the initial process.

Volunteer/observation hours performed for the initial application are accepted, as long as the experience occurred within two years of the application date, or with prior approval of the program director. Following a second unsuccessful application attempt, students are required to meet individually with the program director for guidance. A written recommendation from the program director will be needed for consideration of additional application attempts.

As part of the application, applicants will submit an essay worth 25 points toward the total priority points. Students will base their essay on their observation of outpatient PT and on the following video: Physical Therapy from ICU to Hospital Discharge. Read the following instructions carefully.

• Do not refer to yourself by name in the essay. Avoid content that clearly identifies the writer as much as possible or reasonable. Do not refer to patients, clients, therapists or agencies by name.
• Clearly explain why you want to be a physical therapist assistant and describe characteristics you possess that will enable you to be a successful student and compassionate health care professional.
• Discuss and compare the delivery of physical therapy interventions in the inpatient and outpatient environments, based on your observation experience and the video provided. You may use examples of work done with patients or family members.
• The essay is expected to be 600-1000 words in length.
• The applicant will cut-and-paste the essay into a text box in the application form.
• Applicants will acknowledge that the essay is their own work.

At least two PTA Program faculty members independently grade each essay using the rubric below in a blind process, and the scores are averaged.

Content – discuss and compare aspects of physical therapy in the inpatient and outpatient settings. (10 points)

• 9-10 (Exemplary): Addresses aspects of both settings, and insightful description of similarities and differences.
• 6-8 (Good): Addresses aspects of both settings; provides description of similarities and differences.
• 3-5 (Fair): Does not adequately identify or describe similarities and differences.
• 0-2 (Poor): Does not address content as instructed, or discussion is extremely limited in detail.

Describe personal characteristics that support success as a PTA student and compassionate healthcare provider. (10 points)

• 9-10 (Exemplary): Uses multiple examples from the student’s life experience and knowledge of physical therapy to effectively convey personal characteristics without revealing identity and/or employer.
• 6-8 (Good): Uses at least one example to convey personal characteristics without revealing identify and/or employer.
• 3-5 (Fair): Description is general and does not use specific examples adequately. Includes personal information that makes the applicant, their employer or patients identifiable.
• 0-2 (Poor): Description of personal characteristics is inadequate. Includes personal information that makes the applicant, their employer or patients identifiable.

Writing mechanics and Following Instructions (5 points)

• 5 (Exemplary): Follows all instructions; writing is error-free.
• 4 (Good): Writing has up to three errors, or does not fully comply with instructions.
• 2-3 (Fair): Fair use of vocabulary and writing mechanics; does not follow all instructions.
• 0-1 (Poor): Vocabulary and mechanics are not at the expected first-year college level based on English 111 writing course or equivalent; does not follow instructions.

PTA Program Orientation will be held the week prior to the start of classes in August. The date(s) are announced to students in the letter informing them of their conditional acceptance to the PTA program. Students should expect to spend all of the assigned orientation day(s) on campus. Information regarding the following will be provided during program orientation:

• CPR Certification
• Drug Screen/Background Checks
• Medical Physical Examination form
• Immunization form (required immunizations: TDAP, Varicella, MMR, Hepatitis B series, Influenza, COVID-19)
• 2-step TB Test or QuantiFERON serum immunization (required for new healthcare providers in the state of Virginia and required by GCC Nursing and Health Technologies Division). Additional information is outlined below and in the Physical Examination packet sent as part of the conditional letter of acceptance.  
• Professional Liability Insurance (HPSO)
• Health/Medical Insurance
• ID/Name Badge
• Uniforms/equipment
• Supplies

Important information about immunizations: Students who are accepted to the program must begin their Hepatitis B series early in the fall semester in order to finish it before the first clinical. Other immunizations may require separate appointments for each, so plan accordingly. Please note that the PTA Program requires the 2-step TB test for initial entry into the field of healthcare OR QuantiFERON serum immunization. If a student already has TB testing through a healthcare employer, that documentation is acceptable provided it is current.  

*Vaccine requirements are subject to change based on current public health and clinical guidelines/requirements.

Once accepted, students must maintain a current CPR Certification, have a documented annual medical exam, as well as an annual drug screen/background check. If any of these requirements are not met, the student will not be able to proceed in the program. In addition, students must have personal medical insurance and professional liability insurance valid throughout the program. Students are responsible for these fees.

The PTA program requires substantial commitment of time and effort. The Technical Phase of the GCC PTA program consists of four semesters of demanding pre-determined coursework, as well as clinical affiliations with specific attendance requirements. Students must be prepared for approximately 40 hours a week of course/lab, clinic, and individual and group study time.

Regardless of the class schedules as published in SIS, students are expected to be available Monday-Friday during each semester, to cover open lab requirements and additional obligations. Students must complete all coursework with a “C” or better and must maintain an overall PTA-technical  2.5 GPA. Please note that the minimum passing grade for any PTH-prefixed course is 2.5 GPA (75%).

Three full-time clinical education experiences are part of the curriculum. Additional travel time may be required. The DCE will attempt to place students in clinical affiliations as close to their homes as possible, but students may be required to travel up to 1.5 hours to and from a clinic location if necessary. Transportation and the cost involved is solely the responsibility of the student.

All PTA students must complete their clinical education experiences (clinicals). If a student fails a clinical or must be withdrawn for cause, they must repeat that clinical prior to progressing to the next semester of the program. This may result in a delay of one year, due to the prescribed progression of the curriculum. If a student fails the terminal clinical, they must repeat that course successfully prior to graduation. Failure of more than one clinical experience will result in dismissal from the program.

Courses in the PTA curriculum may be conducted in face-to-face or hybrid format, or, when appropriate or required due to college policy, in distance format.  

An annual criminal background check and drug screen will be required, as mandated in clinical affiliation agreements. A clinical facility may deny any student who has a positive drug screen access to its clinical units. The cost will be the responsibility of the student. It is also the student’s responsibility to keep all requirements current during the program. Failure to do so may result in the inability to perform the required clinical portions of the program and could result in a failing grade for the clinical affiliation and dismissal from the program.

In addition, a student may be required to undergo additional alcohol or drug screening, at the student’s expense, if there is suspicion of substance use during classes or clinical experiences. Applicants to the PTA Program should be prepared to behave according to GCC and program policy.

It is the student’s responsibility to comply with all program requirements once admitted to the program. These documents will be kept in the Document Manager section of ViewPoint which will be purchased once the student has been accepted into the PTA program.

Once academic and clinical requirements are completed, the graduate is able to apply to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs in the state in which he/she chooses to practice. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy administers the licensing exam.