Overview
Our PTA program is the only one in New Hampshire and Vermont! Our graduates consistently perform above the national average and are employed within six months of graduation. We offer a friendly, student-centered environment.
This Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at River Valley Community 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: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (603) 542-7744 extension 5419 or email lclute@ccsnh.edu.
PTA Program Application Packet(PDF)
Cost to Attend (PDF)
Program Public Disclosure Information (PDF)
Career Options
There are a variety of job settings for the PTA including hospitals, out-patient PT clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health and pediatrics.
Related Degrees
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Massage Therapy
Program Goals
Upon employment, graduates shall:
- consistently demonstrate and implement appropriate role utilization of the physical therapist assistant in the application of established treatment interventions as directed by the primary physical therapist.
- consistently demonstrate sensitivity to individual and cultural differences in accordance with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the PTA in an effort to assure safe and proper conduct for all interactions within the profession.
- consistently demonstrate the Standards of Practice for PTAs in an effort to assure safe and proper conduct for all interactions within the profession.
- consistently demonstrate competence, critical thinking and skill in the timely implementation of a comprehensive treatment plan as developed by their supervising physical therapist(s)
- consistently demonstrate competence while regularly reporting to, and communicating with, supervising physical therapists regarding patient progress and treatment modifications in accordance with changes in patient status.
- consistently demonstrate competence in data collection procedures, integrating the findings of such procedures to the patient’s plan of care.
- consistently demonstrate professional behavior during interactions and teaching with healthcare professionals, patients, and their families while providing the desired psycho-social support among diverse populations.
- consistently perform effective and accurate written and verbal communication skills in documenting the relevant aspects of patient care, including patient response and progress.
- integrate information obtained from professional literature review into clinical practice as evidenced-based practitioners of physical therapy.
- practice as entry-level physical therapist assistants who exhibit continued growth as professionals throughout their careers.
Program Outcomes
Graduate students who can pass the National Physical Therapist Assistant exam and find employment as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Course Sequencing
First Year: Fall Semester
First Year: Spring Semester
Mathematics Elective
Total Credits: 3 – 4
First Year: Summer Semester
Second Year: Fall Semester
Humanities/Fine Arts/World Language Elective
Total Credits: 3
Second Year: Spring Semester
Kim-Laura Boyle
Faculty | Healthcare Applications | Phlebotomy | Physical Therapist AssistantProfessor & Department Chair; Health Science;Program Director; Phlebotomy & Healthcare ApplicationsLaurie Clute
Faculty | Physical Therapist AssistantProfessor & Program Director; Physical Therapist AssistantAmanda Couitt
Faculty | Physical Therapist AssistantAssociate Professor & Director of Clinical Education
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at River Valley Community 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 603.542.7744 extension 5419 or email Laurie Clute, Program Director at lclute@ccsnh.edu.
70-72 Credits Required
of graduates who take and pass the national exam have found jobs within 6 months.
Program Contacts
Laurie Clute
lclute@ccsnh.edu
Kim-Laura Boyle
kboyle@ccsnh.edu
Amanda Couitt
acouitt@ccsnh.edu