Physical Therapist Assistant
Career and Technical Program
The Physical Therapist Assistant Consortium Program prepares
students for employment as physical therapist assistants (PTA).
The PTA functions through the direction of a physical therapist
(PT) to implement the PT’s plan of care. The ultimate goal of
physical therapy is to aid patients and clients in their return
to maximal function. PTA students are instructed in thinking
processes and skills such as therapeutic exercise, orthopedic and
neurological interventions, therapeutic modalities, and the art
of patient care. In addition to patient treatment courses, students
study the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology, clinical
pathology, and kinesiology. Clinical education experiences are
integrated throughout the curriculum and offer students the opportunity
to practice the techniques learned and practiced each
semester. The program is designed to be completed in two years.
Application dates for the Fall 2019 cohort is no longer open. The application deadline is March 28, 2019. Groups of students will be accepted at all four consortium campuses including North Idaho College, Lewis-Clark State College (Lewiston), College of Western Idaho (Nampa) and College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls).
Statement of Accreditation Status
The Idaho Consortium for Physical Therapist Assistant Education at the College of Southern Idaho, the College of Western Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College, and North Idaho College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (208) 665-5051 or email jon.gardunia@nic.edu
Complaints Against PTA Program, Faculty, Students or Program Graduates:
An individual may make an inquiry regarding complaint procedures or about issues and concerns that could be considered complaints. The Idaho Consortium for Physical Therapist Assistant Education's response and its obligations to meet the specific timetables outlined in these procedures will begin only after a formal written complaint is received by the program director or dean.
Admission Requirements
Competitive Entry
- High school diploma or GED.
- Application to the Physical Therapist Assistant program.
- Minimum grades of C/2.0 must be earned in each of the courses listed below.
Minimum Prerequisites Needed to Apply
• BIOL-227 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I With Cadaver)
• CAOT-179 (Medical Terminology)
• ENGL-101 (English Composition)
• MATH-123* (Contemporary Mathematics)
* Mathematics requirement includes any math course that is
MATH-123 or higher and fulfills the A.A.S. degree requirement as list in the NIC catalog.
Other Courses Assigned Points in Admissions Process
• BIOL-228 (Human Anatomy & Physiology II)
• COMM-101 (Intro to Speech Communications)
• PSYC-101 (Intro to Psychology)
- All lab science courses must have been completed within 7 years of the application deadline.
- Documentation showing a minimum of 16 hours of observation
in a physical therapy clinical setting.
- A criminal background check will be required upon acceptance.
Violations may result in denied access to clinical
sites and therefore inability to complete the program. For
questions regarding specific violations, please contact program
director.
Interested in the Idaho PTA Consortium Program?
Be sure to click on the FAQs link above and most of your questions will be answered.
| Idaho Consortium for Physical Therapist Assistant Education Program/Student Outcomes |
| Graduation Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2018 |
| 2-Year Graduation Rate: |
86% |
96% |
92.6% |
| 2-Year Licensure Examination Pass Rate: |
94.3% |
95.8% |
100% |
| 2-Year Employment Rate: |
100% |
100% |
91.6% |
More questions? Contact your advisor or program faculty.
Contacts
Health Professions Advisor
(208) 625-2320
Jon Gardunia, DPT
Program Director/Instructor
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
(208) 665-5051
jon.gardunia@nic.edu
