Tri-County Technical College announces new workforce development program
March 27, 2025
Pictured from left to right are Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry, dean of TCTC’s Health Education Division; Paul Hecker, owner and CEO of Elite Integrated Therapy Centers; and Scott Weiskittel, COO of AnMed.
Officials from Tri-County Technical College, AnMed and Elite Integrated Therapy Centers signed an agreement today (March 26) outlining a new Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) program that will launch at the College’s Easley Campus in fall 2027.
The new two-year associate degree program aims to address a critical shortage of physical therapy assistants in the area and create a pathway into additional physical therapy education programs.
What makes the program unique is that it is fully funded by AnMed and Elite Integrated Therapy Centers. In addition to covering the cost of equipment and program faculty, AnMed and Elite will provide internships, work placement and clinical rotations for students.
“Rigorous, quality education and training for health care professionals is critical both for our not-for-profit health system and the community at large, and we’re grateful to be able to team up with wonderful partners like Tri-County Technical College and Elite Integrated Therapy Centers to make a program like this happen,” said William Kenley, CEO of AnMed. “Physical therapists and assistants are needed by neighbors, friends and family members throughout the Upstate, and that need is growing. With the help of this wonderful new program, we’re going to educate and train people to make a difference and launch rewarding careers in health care in the process.”
Students enrolled in the PTA program will gain foundational knowledge in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and patient care with a focus on therapeutic exercises, modalities, and clinical skills for rehabilitation. They will also engage in clinical rotations to gain hands-on experience.
Upon graduation, students must pass a national exam to become certified. Once certified, they can work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist in a variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and schools.
Students may also choose to pursue further education, such as a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree to become a physical therapist. TCTC has transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities to aid students in their preferred career pathway.
According to a 2024 report produced by the American Physical Therapy Association, the national vacancy rate for outpatient physical therapy practices stands at 9.5%, nearly double the U.S. national average vacancy rate for all industries of 4.8% as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Additionally, roughly 13% of all physical therapist and physical therapy assistant positions at outpatient practices are open.
These shortages are projected to continue through 2037, further impacting patient access to timely care.
The PTA program will be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Individuals interested in learning more about the program are invited to visit tctc.edu/pta.
