LILLINGTON - Central Carolina Community College will offer a Physical Therapy Aide class at the Harnett Health Sciences Center, 51 Red Mulberry Way, Lillington. This class will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 29 and ending Dec. 8.

The instructor for the class is Shelly Watkins, a North Carolina Licensed Physical Therapist whose work experience has included Carolina Physical Therapy Associates Inc. in Fuquay-Varina and UNC Health Care in Smithfield.

This course is designed to provide entry-level education and training to perform routine physical therapy aide tasks. The class will cover an overview of the physical therapy profession, the role of the physical therapy aide, and associated career opportunities. Topics include medical terminology, patient charts, musculoskeletal anatomy, thermal and electrical modalities, ambulating techniques, spine safety, range of motion exercises, strengthening and cardiovascular exercise, massage, facility cleanliness, interpersonal skills, and ethics. Physical therapy aides are not required to be licensed by the N.C. Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, but must work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.

"This class gives students a great foundation for further education in physical therapy with an emphasis on ethical and legal issues in this role," said Watkins. "Students also learn through the lab portion of the class and in various clinics. The class includes job readiness and is a great network for establishing relationships with clinicians. This is also a great class for a student who is interested in an administrative position in a PT clinic."

For more information on the CCCC Physical Therapy Aide class, contact Shelly Watkins at 910-814-8989 or email her at swatkins@cccc.edu. To register for the program, call 919-718-7500.