Physical Therapist Assistant

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Beginning with a vision in 2016, Northwest Mississippi Community College sought to expand its current health science offerings to better serve the students in the territories served by the college. Over a time period of 2.5 years, Northwest Mississippi Community College has committed time and efforts with the anticipation of developing the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

NOTE: This program will only be offered during the day at the Senatobia location (Main Campus).

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) national data for the years of 2020-2030, Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant jobs are numbered at 239,200 and 140,500 and are expected to increase by 21% and 35%, respectively. This growth trend is much faster than the average for all occupations in the BLS database (2022).
In accordance to the bylaws in the State of Mississippi, a Physical Therapist can supervise four Assistants at a time (MSBPT, 2017).
PTA is listed as #16 on the list of fastest growing occupations, nationally (BLS, 2022). Northwest Mississippi has invested significant time and efforts in planning/developing of a Physical Therapist Assistant Program at the college, with the process still ongoing. With the steadily increasing numbers of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, it is expected that the need for physical therapy services will continue to rise.

REQUIREMENTS

NWCC Application
PTA Application (Applicants will be able to access the application here. Applications open on December 1 - March 31^st of each year.)
ACT Score of 18, must also qualify to take or have taken College Algebra
High school diploma or GED/HiSET equivalency
There are no academic requirements to apply for this program.
If you would like to receive academic credit for previously taken courses, the following is required:
- 2.0 or higher in all academic courses with the exception of 3.0 or higher in Anatomy & Physiology I/II Lecture and Lab is REQUIRED to remain in the program. (Academic courses may be taken within the first year of the program. See Curriculum and Projected Schedule below for more information.)
- Note: To be accepted as academic credit, the following courses must have been taken within the last five years (prior to the start date of the program) with a score of “B” or higher:
  - Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab (BIO 2513/2511)
  - Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab (BIO 2523/2521)
  Note: To be accepted as academic credit, the following courses must have been taken within the last five years (prior to the start date of the program) with a score of “C” or higher:
  - Medical Terminology I (BOT 1613)
  - Medical Terminology II (BOT 1623)
  - Personal and Community Health (HPR 1213)
  **Special circumstances to be considered
At least 20 Volunteer/Observation Hours
An objective scoring tool will be utilized for student applications
Must be 18 years or older at start of course
Applicants who have been enrolled in another PTA program must be eligible to return to that program and must provide a letter of good standing from the PTA program attended in order to be considered for the NWCC PTA Program.
Applicants with two withdrawals or failures from any other PTA program/course are not eligible for admission to the NWCC PTA Program for three years from the date of the last PTA course taken.
HESI A2 Entrance Exam (Access for assessment will be provided after applicant is deemed eligible for admission to the developing PTA program.)
Applicants tentatively admitted to the PTA program must pass a Background Check and Drug Screen before admission.

Application

HOW TO APPLY

1. All Applicants must first apply or reapply (if active student status has expired) to Northwest Mississippi Community College. Once accepted into the college, the student will be granted a Student ID Number. Applicants must have all transcripts from all colleges attended and ACT score sent to NWCC Office of Admissions and Records.

Note: If you are currently enrolled at NWCC, you do not need to complete this step. No Applicant will be considered for admission into the School of Health Sciences program for Physical Therapist Assistant without prior application to NWCC.

2. Complete the Physical Therapist Assistant Application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.

Complete and submit Observation Hours Form. (Hours must be completed within the last two years.)
Complete and submit Applicant Interest Form (for grading rubric click here).

3. Note: STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR PTA APPLICATION ON FILE TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SIT FOR THE HESI ADMISSIONS ASSESSMENT.

After completing the PTA Application online:

1. Students will first need to setup an Evolve Account with Username (Keep Username and Password for quick access).
2. Students will then email csaturday@northwestms.edu for scheduling of the assessment. Currently, assessments will be proctored each Friday with the assessment beginning promptly at 12:30PM on the main campus at Northwest Mississippi Community College (Computer Lab 301, Gary Lee Spears Health Science Building- First Floor).
3. After scheduling the assessment with the instructor, the student will receive a payment link in their email where they will complete the payment process. Students must be able to login to their Evolve Account (Username and Password) and also show proof of payment on assessment day in order to sit for the assessment. Failure to provide any of the above information will result in the student being denied access to the assessment.
4. The student will arrive to campus on the designated assessment date to complete the assessment.

If you fail to meet the application criteria, you will not be allowed to sit for the HESI Admissions Assessment. The student is financially responsible for the Admissions Assessment, and also for ensuring they meet the minimum requirements for admission. HESI AA scores will be valid for application to the program for two years from the testing date.

Important Links:

4. An Objective Scoring Tool will be utilized for each applicant who has met the minimum required admission criteria.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all items have been submitted and received prior to the application deadline. You may contact Casey Saturday at csaturday@northwestms.edu to check the status of your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission into the program.

All applicants will be notified of status by the middle of May. Applicants will either receive a letter of conditional acceptance or non-acceptance. Letters of conditional acceptance will contain supplementary information. With respect to the anticipated number of applicants and the limited class size, a wait list will be established. Applicants on the wait list will also be notified via letter with supplementary information.

Note: The student is responsible for providing a current email address and frequently checking the email account for communication. Applications must be made each year. If an applicant is not admitted in a given application cycle, the applicant MUST reapply the next year to be considered for the program.

Essential Functions for PTA Students

Mission Statement, Program Goals, and Values

MISSION STATEMENT
The Northwest Mississippi Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program provides a comprehensive and contemporary curriculum in a high-quality learning-centered environment to prepare graduates to practice as entry level physical therapist assistants able to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Graduates will serve the college region and beyond by providing culturally competent healthcare services while understanding the importance of lifelong learning and professionalism.

GOALS
The developing PTA program has developed the following goals that are based on its mission, that reflect contemporary physical therapy education and practice, and that lead to expected program outcomes.

Goal 1. Program graduates will serve the community by working as competent, entry-level physical therapist assistants able to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist

Goal 2. Program faculty will provide a high-quality learning-centered environment and a comprehensive curriculum based on contemporary physical therapy practice

Goal 3. The program will promote the importance of continuing personal and professional development through faculty modeling, life-long learning opportunities and membership in professional organizations.

Goal 4. PTA Program graduates will communicate effectively and professionally in a culturally competent manner with patients and caregivers from diverse backgrounds

CORE VALUES

Accountability
Accountability is active acceptance of the responsibility for the diverse roles, obligations, and actions of the physical therapist including self‐regulation and other behaviors that positively influence patient and client outcomes, the profession, and the health needs of society.

Altruism
Altruism is the primary regard for or devotion to the interest of patients and clients, thus assuming the fiduciary responsibility of placing the needs of patients and clients ahead of the physical therapist’s self‐interest.

Compassion and Caring
Compassion is the desire to identify with or sense something of another’s experience; a precursor of caring. Caring is the concern, empathy, and consideration for the needs and values of others.

Excellence
Excellence is physical therapist practice for which the physical therapist consistently uses current knowledge and theory while understanding personal limits, integrates judgment and the patient or client perspective, embraces advancement, challenges mediocrity, and works toward development of new knowledge.

Integrity
Integrity is steadfast adherence to high ethical principles and professional standards, being truthful, ensuring fairness, following through on commitments, and verbalizing to others the rationale for actions.

Professional Duty
Professional duty is the commitment to meeting one’s obligations to provide effective physical therapist services to patients and clients, to serve the profession, and to positively influence the health of society.

Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is the promotion of a mutual trust between the profession and the larger public that necessitates responding to societal needs for health and wellness.

Curriculum and Projected Schedule

Contact Information

Program Contacts

Name: Barton Allen, PT, DPT
Title:             Director of Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Address:      4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668
Phone: (662) 562-3247
E-mail:         ballen@northwestms.edu
Office: Gary Lee Spears Health Science Building, Office 435

Name:    Casey Saturday, PTA
Title:             Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education for Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Address:      4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668
Phone: (662) 562-3501
E-mail:         csaturday@northwestms.edu
Office: Gary Lee Spears Health Science Building, Office 433

Cost of Program

Financial Fact Sheet

Accreditation Status

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) American Physical Therapy Association, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100 Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; phone (703) 706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Northwest Mississippi Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 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 662-562-3247 or email ballen@northwestms.edu.

Complaints

Complaints regarding the program should be addressed to the PTA Program Director:

Dr. Barton Allen, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director
ballen@northwestms.edu
Phone: (662) 562-3247

Unresolved complaints about the PTA Program/Director should be directed to the School of Health Science Dean:

Dr. Craig Lafferty, DPM, MS
Dean, School of Health Sciences
clafferty@northwestms.edu
Northwest Mississippi Community College
4975 Hwy 51 North
P.O Box 5432
Senatobia, MS 38668
Phone: (662) 562-3652
Fax: (662) 562-3231

All complaints will be documented and will include a plan in place for resolution and evaluation of the outcome. This documentation will be kept on file in a secure location within the PTA Program Director’s Office. No retaliation will occur by the college or program due to a complaint being filed. Complaints regarding accreditation of this program should be addressed to the Commission for Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education. This Commission is located at 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100 Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; phone (703) 706-3245; accreditation@apta.org.

Student Achievement Measures

Handbooks

Professional Licensure or Certifications

Northwest Mississippi Community College has determined that its Physical Therapy Assistant degree program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program by CAPTE satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapist or physical therapist assistant education program are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please see the Federal of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.