PTA Schools in West Virginia (WV)

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is an Associate’s Degree program designed to prepare students for a career in physical therapy. The curriculum includes courses such as Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Clinical Pathology, and Therapeutic Exercise.

Graduates of the program are expected to demonstrate competency in areas like effective communication with patients and healthcare team members, application of treatment plans developed by a licensed Physical Therapist, documentation of patient responses to treatment interventions among others.

Career outlook for graduates is promising with employment opportunities available in various settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics etc., where they can work under the supervision of physical therapists. The role of a Physical Therapy Assistant involves helping patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses regain movement and manage pain.

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College stands out for its commitment towards providing quality education that prepares students not only theoretically but also practically through its clinical experiences component. This hands-on experience gained during the course equips students with real-world skills required in their profession.

As per the information received via email from Chrystal McDonald (cmcdonal@blueridgectc.edu), this link https://www.blueridgectc.edu/academic-programs/associates-degree-programs/health-sciences/physical-therapist-assisting/ provides additional details about the program offered at Blue Ridge Community & Technical College.

Mountwest Community & Technical College offers a Physical Therapist Assistant program, culminating in an Associate of Applied Science degree. The 75-credit hour course prepares students for employment opportunities in various healthcare settings such as rehabilitation hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient departments. Students are trained to implement physical therapy interventions under the supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT). This involves using water, massage, ultrasound and thermal properties of light and electricity for therapeutic purposes.

The college has an Early Assurance Program that allows high school seniors to apply for conditional acceptance into the PTA program. Successful applicants get guaranteed seats pending maintenance of prerequisite requirements.

To be eligible for this program, graduating seniors need a minimum composite ACT score of 19 or SAT score of 980 and overall High School GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 among other criteria.

The PTA program at Mountwest is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) since 1997 with high outcomes including licensure exam pass rate and employment after graduation both standing at 100% for the year 2018-19.

While specific PTA courses may not be transferable to four-year universities, general education prerequisite coursework might be considered depending on degrees sought outside physical therapy.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at New River Community and Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program is held on the Raleigh County Campus in Beaver, spanning five semesters starting each fall. It includes three off-campus clinical education experiences to ensure students gain a variety of practical skills.

Admission into the PTA Program is competitive, accepting only 20 students annually. Applicants must meet general admission requirements for the college, complete prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 2.75, including Biology courses within the past five years with a combined GPA of 3.0.

Upon graduation, PTAs are expected to be competent and safe professionals capable of implementing appropriate physical therapy treatments under direction as part of a healthcare team. Expected outcomes include an ultimate pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination-PTA averaging at least 85% over two years and a placement rate post-examination above 90%.

Faculty goals focus on maintaining contemporary clinical practice knowledge through continuing education credit hours and engagement in professional activities related to their teaching areas.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). All accepted students must pass a background check before commencing classes with PTHA prefix; failure may result in loss of position in this selective admissions program.

Pierpont Community & Technical College in West Virginia offers the state’s first Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, accredited since 1997. This program is designed to educate students to work under a physical therapist, providing therapeutic treatments for patients who have lost functional ability due to illness or injury.

The PTA program prepares students for a national licensing exam, which they must pass to work as PTAs. The curriculum includes implementing care plans established by physical therapists using appropriate technology, data collection through tests and observations, and interpreting results in compliance with the PTA role.

Graduates can find career opportunities in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing facilities, private practices of physical therapists and home health care. According to the US Department of Labor projections for 2021-2031 period , employment of PTAs will grow much faster than average with an annual median salary over $46k in WV.

The PTA program at Pierpont has impressive outcome data showing high graduation rates and ultimate board pass rates exceeding CAPTE benchmarks. Furthermore, the college reports that within six months of graduation all graduates seeking employment found jobs as PTAs over the past five years.

Admission into this open enrollment competitive program requires passing a criminal background check among other requirements while maintaining a minimum grade requirement throughout the course duration. The college also provides options for continuing education beyond this AAS degree.

PTA Careers in West Virginia

West Virginia offers a diverse range of employment opportunities for physical therapist assistants (PTAs) across various healthcare settings.

• In urban areas like Charleston, the state’s capital, PTAs can find positions in hospitals such as CAMC General Hospital, which provides comprehensive rehabilitation services.
• In the eastern panhandle, facilities like Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg offer outpatient therapy opportunities, catering to a growing population.
• Rural regions, such as those in Greenbrier County, provide PTAs with unique experiences in community health clinics and rehabilitation centers, focusing on localized care.

These varied environments not only enhance professional growth but also contribute to the overall health and well-being of West Virginia residents.

Comparing a PTA School in West Virginia

There are a few of things to consider when choosing PTA programs. Here’s a quick list of a few of the most significant considerations to take into account as you research for your physical therapy assistant school:

• PTA Program size
• Passing-rate of the license test
• Course room and lab-room facilities
• Campus expenses and opportunities for financial aid
• University admission criteria

While you bring these physical therapy assistant program things into thought, it can be useful to talk with current college students and former students of the physical therapy assistant schools of curiosity. Also, interviewing companies who have employed these graduates may give you additional insight to each programs strengths and weaknesses.

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