New lab for TCL’s Physical Therapist Assistant program offers 60 percent more space
Students in TCL’s physical therapy assistant (PTA) associate degree program certainly have their share of textbook and classroom instruction, but there’s hands-on learning that goes with the curriculum as well.
“And that requires space,” says Program Director Kara Santana. Space to spread out and space to practice.
In fact, the majority of the students’ labs require hands-on practice of various techniques such as gait training, balance testing and neurological rehab skills.
Now, thanks to recent renovations at TCL’s Beaufort Mather Campus, PTA students have more room than ever before to practice in.
“It’s huge compared to where we were before,” said PTA Instructor Kari Canfield, who was excited to show off the new space on a recent Tuesday morning. Canfield was carefully observing students practicing on an extra-large “mat table.”
“Good job,” she said, as a pair of students worked to help each other rise from a seated position.
As both Santana and Canfield explained, the new lab, measures a whopping 1,443 square feet, or 60% more space than the program’s older lab. Now housed in TCL’s Building 6, the lab also features an additional large mat table, space for storing equipment, a laundry area, sink and office space for staff.
“The ease of access to equipment allows us to focus on what is most important and that is the education of our PTA students,” Canfield said.
The added space will also allow TCL to offer more continuing education courses, she said. “And that will help us to better serve our physical therapy community in the Lowcountry.”
Dean of TCL’s Health Sciences School Joey Swearingen said the new space is actually part of a larger effort to improve and enhance classroom and lab space throughout the School of Health Sciences. He agreed with Canfield about the space’s impact on TCL’s educational offerings.
“We’re very excited about the new PTA lab and all the improvements taking place,” he said. “I think these improvements are going to be an added value to students who pursue a health sciences education with TCL.”
For more information on TCL’s PTA program click here.
PTA students practicing their techniques in TCL’s new PTA lab.
