/Institutions/Laredo-Community-College/json/2017-2018/Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Laredo-Community-College/json/2017-2018/Catalog.json

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTHA)

Description

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTHA) curriculum is a two-year integrated program taught over five and a half semesters. During the program, the student is given the opportunity to master the theories and principles of treatment that permit him/her to work with patients to relieve impairments, overcome disability, and restore movement, skills, and function. Classes include lecture and laboratory sessions to develop knowledge, skills, and the attitudes required of an entry-level physical therapist assistant. Upon completion of the curriculum plan the student will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant.

Accreditation and Certification

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 1111 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245: email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.

The graduate is eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants which is administered by the Texas State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, Suite 2-510, 333 Guadalupe St., Austin, Texas 78701-3942, (512) 305-6900.

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the PTA Program, the student will be able to:

1. Implement physical therapy interventions using appropriate problem-solving skills to progress a patient or modify interventions within the plan of care under the supervision of a physical therapist.
2. Demonstrate competent data collection techniques to measure patient progress within the plan of care.
3. Demonstrate safe practice in the provision of physical therapy interventions to reduce risk to patients and others.
4. Communicate effectively and appropriately with the physical therapist, families, caregivers and health care team members.
5. Educate patients and others using appropriate instruction methods that the learner understands.
6. Document relevant information about physical therapy interventions and corresponding data collection according to practice guidelines.
7. Demonstrate ethical behavior in the delivery of physical therapy services that is within the scope of practice of the physical therapist assistant.
8. Demonstrate professional behavior when working with patients and other health care professionals to facilitate efficient and effective patient care.
9. Utilize health care literature to further develop professional knowledge and skills for effective patient care.
10. Demonstrate competency on the examination for licensure as a physical therapist assistant.
11. Obtain employment as physical therapist assistant in the local and surrounding community.

Clinical Education

The student is assigned to hospitals or other health care facilities to develop clinical skills under the supervision of assigned facility staff. Three full time clinical experiences, some of which may be out of town, are scheduled at appropriate times during the program. Additional expenses for these clinical experiences are the responsibility of the student. The student must master technical standards that represent the essential non-academic requirements of a successful Physical Therapist Assistant. The clinical experiences may include assignments at facilities in Laredo or in surrounding geographical areas in south Texas. The applicant should be aware that he/she will be required to work with clients who may speak only Spanish; thus, the ability to speak the Spanish language is a definite asset to the student.

Application Process

The student seeking admission into the PTA Program must:

1. Meet LCC admission criteria as set forth in the college catalog
2. Be college ready per Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements
3. Have a minimum 2.5 GPA in PTA degree-specific courses and achieve a grade of C or better in required academic courses.
4. Complete the following prerequisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2301 & BIOL 2101), Composition I (ENGL 1301), & The Profession of Physical Therapy (PTHA 1301)
5. Submit the following documents at the Ruben M. Garcia Allied Health Center, room 109 no later than the second Thursday in May:
   • A complete Health Sciences Division PTA application packet. Applications can be obtained in the Ruben M. Garcia Allied Health Center, Room 109 during office hours or on the LCC website at www.laredo.edu/cms/pta.
   • 40 hours of volunteer work or employment in a physical therapy facility. The hours may not be performed in a home health setting. A volunteer observation/evaluation form, verification form and log form are provided in the PTA application packet or are available on-line at the PTA program website www.laredo.edu/cms/pta.
   • Students who have been employed as physical therapy aides may count work experience toward this requirement. Above mentioned forms must be submitted, including a letter from the place of employment on company letterhead stating term of employment.

Selection Process

1. Qualified students who submit completed applications by the second Thursday in May will be invited to sit for a pre-entrance exam and an interview. Admission into the PTA Program is based on achieving a minimum of 60% of total percentage points awarded from 100% based on the following:
   1. Degree-Specific grade point average GPA (50%): The student must have a GPA of 2.5 or better in prerequisite or degree-specific courses.
   2. Pre-entrance exam (40%). The student must successfully complete a pre-entrance exam and is responsible for the examination fee (costs may vary). The student must score a minimum of 25% on the verbal component and a 17% on the reading component of the exam in order to progress to the panel interview. For further information on the pre-entrance exam, refer to the Health Occupations Aptitude Examination link at www.psbtests.com
   3. Personal Interview (8%): The student will be interviewed by a panel.
   4. PTA Applicant Volunteer Observation Evaluation Form (2%) is based on the average score from the Observation Evaluation Form.
2. The top 30 finalists who meet the required GPA and PSB-HOAE scores, and the PTA Applicant Volunteer Observation Criteria will be considered for the personal interview. The top 18 finalists who score the highest on the four admission criteria (GPA, PSB-HOAE exam, Personal interview, Observation Evaluation Form) will be accepted for the fall semester.
3. The applicant will be notified by LCC's official means of communication regarding the program admission status by mid July. The applicant who is not selected for admission into the program may reapply the next application period and complete all admission requirements described in Admission Process.
4. Students will be ranked based on the highest percentage points awarded, and a maximum of 18 students will be accepted. Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program admissions requirements may not be admitted to the program.

Acceptance

A student accepted into the PTA program must submit the following prior to the first day of class (the student is responsible for all fees associated with these procedures):

1. A physical exam by a U.S. physician or nurse practitioner of choice within 45 days prior to the first day of class.
2. Proof of immunizations: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), Bacterial Meningitis, annual flu vaccine
3. TB skin test (annual) or chest x-ray (every two years)
4. American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider CPR Certification
5. A negative criminal background check. This can be accessed at www.castlebranch.com
6. Negative 10- panel drug screen

Progression in the PTA Program

The student should refer to the Progression/Promotion Procedures listed in the PTA Student Handbook.

Withdrawal

A student considering withdrawal from a PTA Program course should refer to the PTA Student Handbook and make an appointment with the instructor and Program Director.

Attendance

The PTA Program follows the LCC attendance policy for academic/didactic courses. All clinical education courses require attendance in order to be in compliance with accrediting agencies. Please refer to the attendance policy in the PTA Student Handbook.

Dismissal

The student should refer to the dismissal policies listed in the PTA Student Handbook.

For further information about the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, contact the Program Director, Dr. Esmeralda Vargas at 721-5262 or by email at esmeralda.vargas@laredo.edu. The Health Sciences Department is located in the Ruben M. Garcia Allied Health Building, room 109.