Non-compliance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) Standard 8A "Minimally, the program employs at least two, preferably three full-time core faculty members dedicated to the PTA program.”  The use of the word “preferably” by CAPTE is equivalent to the word “recommendation” utilized by the college’s accrediting body; Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  With this in mind, it is crucial that we replace this position in a full time capacity.  Maintaining the ability to demonstrate compliance with accreditation standards and adequate and appropriate learning experiences is vital.

Historically, since the inception of the PTA Program, there has always been a full time faculty position and full time Department Chairperson.  In fact, due to the increased responsibilities as required by CAPTE since our last accreditation cycle, the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) position was modified from a 7/9ths temporary position with an 11^th month adjunct appointment for Summer Session 1, to a full time 10 month Librarian position with an 11^th month summer requirement.  Due to the extensive nature of this position it is not consistent with program’s like Diagnostic Imaging, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technician, and Dental Hygiene where clinical coordination responsibilities are either a segment of a faculty members position or is an assignment which provides the faculty member an abatement.  As with any union environment it is well known that the two collective bargaining units of Faculty and Staff and Chair dictate teaching load.  In essence, the ACCE is relegated only to the responsibilities of Clinical Education 1, 2, and 3 which restricts the on load teaching component of the ACCE.  Adjacently, the Department Chair position requires an abatement which limits the teaching role to twenty contact hours per academic year.  Thus, the full time faculty position is the only true faculty position within the program to provide consistency and continuity with the expectation of managing the thirty six contact hour teaching load of the full time faculty position.

The rigorous nature of the educational course a student traverses once in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program requires faculty members which are vested in the institution and student learning, demonstrates the availability to provide adequate, professional, and knowledgeable teaching.  Availability of adjunct instructors is highly subjective and does not require the adjunct to be vested in or present at college, departmental and/or governance meetings/events.  This perceived lack of commitment and absent requirement of overall participation limits the programs ability to meet the demands of the College's Strategic Master Plan and the Academic Master Plan.