VC's new PTA Program Director begins application for accreditation

Laura Crandall joined the Allied Health staff at The Victoria College in July to help develop VC's program and assist in the application for accreditation candidacy. Prior to coming to Victoria, Crandall served for five years as director of the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Mesa College in San Diego. She has worked as a physical therapist for more than 30 years and has taught classes for the past 15 years, including during her time as program director.

The Allied Health department expects to begin accepting students into the new Physical Therapist Assistant program in either fall 2010 or spring 2011. Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems, or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. A PTA may help patients exercise or learn to use crutches, or gather and prepare therapy equipment. Physical therapy patients may include accident victims or individuals with disabling conditions such as lower-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries and cerebral palsy.

"Victoria College is known for its high quality Allied Health programs and I am pleased we're working to add a PTA program to meet the needs of this community," said Dr. Tom Butler, VC president. "Laura brings many years of experience with her and I know she's going to help us build an exemplary program."

The Victoria College is seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. The program will submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. The accreditation process includes curriculum development, a self-study and two site visits by the accrediting agency. It is anticipated that the accreditation application will be submitted in March and is renewable on a 5-year cycle.

After the accreditation process is finalized, it is anticipated that 15 to 16 students will be admitted into the program. Curriculum will include pre-requisites, specialized classes and clinical rotations. The entire program will take approximately two years to complete. Texas requires PTAs to pass a licensure exam after completing their degree.

"It's really an exciting opportunity to design a brand new program and I'm looking forward to getting started teaching," said Crandall. "PTAs are really in demand now, this is an excellent time to add this program to the Allied Health options at VC."

Throughout the nation, the median income for a physical therapist assistant is $42,000 depending on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting. Texas is the third highest paying state for PTAs.