Admission to the CCC PTA Program
Before graduation from the Colby Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program, a candidate must submit a written application to the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (KSBHA) and The Federation State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Admission to the CCC Physical Therapist Assistant Program does not guarantee graduation from the program. Graduation from the PTA Program does not guarantee eligibility to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (KSBHA) may deny a license to practice as a physical therapist assistant if the applicant has been convicted of a felony if the board determines, after investigation, that the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant has not been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust as stated in the Kansas Administrative Regulations relating to the Practice of Physical Therapy 65-2912. All criminal history must be revealed and will be evaluated by the KSBHA before licensure is granted or denied. Since CCC is located in Kansas, this information does not cover requirements in other states. Students should check with the board of physical therapy in the state where they will be requesting licensure.
Disclosure of Criminal Background/Substance Abuse
Clinical affiliates and their accrediting agencies require criminal background checks and urine drug screens of all students to maintain the safety of their patients. If selected for admission to the CCC Physical Therapist Assistant Program, students must consent to a background check to disclose any felony or misdemeanor convictions. Upon admission, students will receive detailed instructions on how to proceed with completing the background check and urine drug screen. Prior background checks cannot be used.
Additional requirements and/or disclosures may become necessary throughout enrollment in the program. Non-compliance with all mandates may result in termination from the program. All fees associated with these requirements will be the financial responsibility of the student.
Health Policy
Students are required to obtain medical insurance coverage during their association with the health career programs at Colby Community College. Hospitals require students to have medical insurance to complete clinical rotations at their respective facilities.
Students entering healthcare programs should be aware that they will be in close contact with individuals having a variety of health conditions in which the cause may or may not be known.
Health career programs have specific precautionary requirements based on the type of exposure and/or clinical agency policies. It is the student’s responsibility to follow program guidelines necessary for precautions against contracting and transmitting diseases. The student is responsible for all healthcare costs (physical examinations and other health costs, vaccinations, immunizations and/or titers and may include X-rays). Neither the college nor the clinical agency to which students are assigned is responsible for the provision of any healthcare nor any payment of costs related to an injury or the exposure to infection with a disease.
Proof of medical insurance is required while attending the PTA Program. Clinical agencies may audit the physical exam and health records. Health records, background checks and urine drug screens may be hard with our clinical affiliates.
Students are responsible for meeting all course, clinic, and program objectives. Students may be asked to provide a physician’s statement to explain absences and/or justify re-entry into class/clinical settings.
Progression in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program will be contingent upon satisfactorily meeting the health requirements. Health restrictions may prohibit student participation in clinical rotations and the performance of total patient care and, therefore, would prevent progression or completion of the PTA Program. Incomplete records may result in dismissal from clinical (with unexcused absences) or dismissal from the program if sufficient documents are not produced.
Please review the information below and reach out if you have questions.
Dear Applicant:
Please read through the following information carefully and follow the steps to complete the application for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Colby Community College. The deadline is May 31.
All transcripts from other colleges (photocopies are acceptable) and application forms must be Mailed to the PTA Department by the deadline. Please see the link below to explain the requirements for observation hours. All required coursework must be a 2.5 GPA or better and completed by August of the year you plan to start the program. It is your responsibility to get all spring and summer transcripts to the PTA office in a timely manner. There is a list of frequently asked questions available under the FAQs tab.
Once your application has been processed, a packet will be emailed to help you prepare for interviews and provide a list of items you need to bring to the interviews.
STEPS TO APPLY TO THE PTA PROGRAM
- Fill out the PTA application. If you are not a current Colby Community College student, or are currently attending another college, be sure to apply to CCC.
- Gather transcripts from all schools you have attended. A high school transcript and official transcripts from any college courses you may have taken must be included.
- Complete the Observation Hour Requirements.
- Mail your Application, Transcript, Observation Hours, and $20 processing fee to:
Colby Community College
Attn: PTA
1255 S. Range Ave.
Colby KS 67701
Observation Requirements
We believe observation hours are an important part of assessing the role of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, along with understanding the PT profession as a whole. The observation hours are a requirement for the program to demonstrate a student's commitment to the profession.
- The Colby Community College PTA program understands the COVID-19 pandemic has decreased the accessibility of students to receive observation hours in various settings.
- 40 hours of observation in a minimum of two (2) clinical settings, but more settings are preferred. Students are encouraged to spread observation hours equally among clinical settings.
Please contact Dr. Christopher Flieg at 785-460-5443 or christopher.flieg@colbycc.edu if you have any questions.