Lake Washington Institute of Technology FALL 2016 Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Supporting Information for the Application Process

Transcription

1 Lake Washington Institute of Technology FALL 2016 Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Supporting Information for the Application Process INTRODUCTION Admission criteria for the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program reflects an approach that includes the student s: prerequisite grades, recommendations, observations, prepared essay and an on-campus essay. ACCREDITATION The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia Telephone: Website: ADMISSION Admission to the PTA program has admission requirements beyond those necessary for general admission to the college. Students are admitted annually to the PTA Program. To be considered for admission, applicants must complete prerequisite courses and meet program entry requirements. Acceptance into the PTA program is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements does NOT guarantee acceptance into the program. IMPORTANT DATES Application Deadline All prerequisites must be completed For Fall 2016 Program Start June 24, 2016 Invitations ed to write on-site essay (top 30 July 12, 2016 applicants); Decline letters ed to applicants ranked 31+ On-Site essay date July 19, 2016 Admissions decision notification s: Letters will July 26, 2016 be ed to the 30 on-site essay applicants Accept/Decline offer of admission form returned August 2, 2016 First day of Fall Quarter 2015 September 26,

2 NEW APPLICANTS STEP 1 Apply for admission to Lake Washington Institute of Technology and receive SID # if you have not already done so. Applications may be obtained from the Enrollment Services Office, or by applying online. Go to STEP 2 Attend a Physical Therapist Assistant information session or complete one online. Session dates are listed under the Physical Therapist Assistant link at STEP 3 After completing all prerequisites and other application requirements, fill out Physical Therapist Assistant AAS application available under the Physical Therapist Assistant link at Place application materials in a 10X13 envelope and submit to Enrollment Services. Keep a copy of the entire completed packet for your records. RE-APPLICANTS If you are denied admission to the program and would like to carry over your application to another application cycle, you must do the following: STEP 1 Enrollment Services and request to re-apply at: selective.admission@lwtech.edu. It is important that you indicate in the subject line: Attention: Request to reapply to PTA Program. In the body of your supply: your name, SID#, and the year of your most recent application. STEP 2 Fill out pgs. 2-4 (checklist) and (Technical Standards) of the application available for download at under the Physical Therapist Assistant link. STEP 3 Prepare new supporting documents (if applicable). STEP 4 Submit items from step 2 and 3 on or before deadline in one 10X13 envelope to Enrollment Services. These items will be combined with related items in your file to make up a complete application. Failure to follow re-applicant instructions will result in the application being considered incomplete. You are responsible for fulfilling any new requirements contained in the application and explained here in the Supporting Information to be eligible to re-apply. Please read both carefully. 2

3 The dates, procedures, and requirements stated herein are subject to change. To request disability accommodations in the application process, contact Disability Support Services: (425) Fax: (425)

4 PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Generally, applicants must complete all of the following to be considered for the Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Program: LWTech Selective Admissions Related Requirements Be admitted to LWTech Determine that all science courses are no older than 10 years Minimum grade for transfer and completion of courses is 2.0 Provide official transcripts pertaining to prerequisites courses used towards this application Have international transcripts translated & assessed by agency pertaining to prerequisites used towards this application Physical Therapist Assistant AAS- Specific Requirements Complete all prerequisite courses before applying with 2.0+ in each course Meet or exceed a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the following prerequisite courses: ENGL&101 or 102; BIOL&241; MEDA 116 or a 3-5 credit Medical Terminology course; CMST&210, 220, or 230; PSYC&100 or 200; College level math course (with intermediate algebra as a prerequisite) Provide copy of certificate-hiv/aids 7 hour training Submit two sealed/signed recommendation forms: One from faculty member; One from either employer, co-worker, faculty, advisor or counselor Submit two sealed/signed Physical Therapy observation/work experience forms (50 total hours of clinical observation chosen as specified below) Indicate where and when you received high school diploma or equivalent OR indicate concurrent enrollment in LWTech high school programs Submit a two page essay Minimum standards for Recommendations, Essays and Observations The PTA program is looking for well-rounded candidates who have cultivated skills that are foundational for working in Physical Therapy. Minimum standards must be met in each of these categories. Applicants will be assessed as qualified or not qualified in each category and points are assigned based upon the quality of their submitted materials. 4

5 SELECTION CRITERIA Prerequisite courses and admission requirements not mentioned in calculation below are still required for your application to be considered complete. Up to 25 points Up to 25 points Up to 25 points Two Recommendations Pgs of application document to print forms Prepared Essay (Submitted with application) See p. 5 for essay question Two observation/work Experience Forms (50 total hours of observation) See p.6 for instructions on selecting observation sites Up to 25 points On-Campus Essay 100 total points possible RECOMMENDATION FORM AND OBSERVATION FORM COMPLETION When you review the application document available at under the Physical Therapist Assistant link, you will see that it contains forms required as part of a complete application packet. The following tips will assist you in submitting complete forms: Minimum Standard: Recommendations- Should reflect the required cognitive, communication and behavioral skills needed for success in working in physical therapy One recommendation form must come from a college or university faculty member that has actually taught you in the classroom. The other recommendation form can be from another faculty member, employer, co-worker, advisor or counselor. The intent of these recommendation forms is that they be professional recommendations as if you were applying for a job. Recommendations from individuals who do not meet this criteria will not be considered. Failure to follow these instructions will result in your application being considered incomplete. 5

6 There are no time limits on Recommendation forms or on Observation Forms Recommendation and Observation forms must be sealed in an envelope by the recommender or, if an observation, by the PT or PTA and signed across the back of the envelope flap. They can then be given back to you directly, or mailed back to you. You must keep them in their sealed condition and submit them with your application packet Submitting more than two recommendations is not advised. This does not improve your application. APPLICANT ESSAY Minimum Standard: Essays should exhibit effective communication skills consistent with work in physical therapy. Prepared and onsite essays are evaluated on content, clarity of message, grammar and spelling. Essay Question: Describe the skills and resources you used to resolve or overcome a challenging circumstance, obstacle, or conflict in your life. What did you learn from this experience and how will that knowledge support your success in the physical therapist assistant program at LWTech? Your essay must: Be typed Address all parts of the question Be double spaced Be no more than two pages long Essays are scored based upon (1) relevant content (2) clarity of message (3) grammar (4) spelling PTA CLINICAL OBSERVATION/WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT Minimum Standard: Observations- forms which meet the minimum standards as described in the instructions provided in this document and reflect responsibility, professionalism, and a commitment to learning. You must complete observations of a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant in separate clinical settings for a combined total of 50 hours Applicants must spend a minimum of 4 hours in any location You must choose one observation site from Category 1 and one observation site from Category 2 to meet the requirement for application 6

7 CATEGORY 1 Clinical Observation Sites Outpatient clinic Sports medicine clinic Health and wellness facility CATEGORY 2 Clinical Observation Sites Hospital (acute care) Skilled nursing facility School or setting with children (pediatrics) Inpatient rehabilitation center Transitional care unit DETERMINING YOUR CUMULATIVE GPA To tabulate your cumulative GPA, first: Convert any semester credits by multiplying them by 1.5 Convert any letter grades to numerical grades using table provided Then: A=4.0 A-=3.7 B+=3.3 B=3.0 B-=2.7 C+=2.3 C=2.0 C- and below will not be considered Enter all course information along with numerical grades and credit hours in the columns below Multiply each course s credits by its numerical grade. This will give you the grade points. Enter that number in the last column When you have completed entries for all courses, add all numbers in the Credits column and enter the total. Then add all the numbers in the Grade Points column and enter the total. Divide total Grade Points by total credits. This is your cumulative GPA. Use the following table to tabulate your total points prior to application UNOFFICIAL GPA TABULATION Pre-Requisite GPA Total Grade Points Total Credits = (2.0+ in each prerequisite course with a cumulative GPA of 3.0+) 7

8 Course Number/Title Credits Grade Grade Pts *BIOL&241 A & P I ENGL& 101 Written Expression MEDA 116 Medical Terminology CMST&210, 220 or 230 PSYC& 100 or 200 College level math Total Credits Total Grade Points *Note for class planning purposes: Many colleges, including LWTech, require BIOL&211 (Cellular Biology) as a prerequisite to BIOL&241. BIOL&211 is not tabulated in the cumulative GPA. The Unofficial GPA Tabulation Form represents your unofficial GPA prior to final scoring. Your official GPA will be calculated and verified by the Admissions Committee; Prerequisite cumulative GPA must be at least 3.0 to be eligible to apply. There is no longer an in-progress provision. SELECTION TO COHORT Applicants are initially categorized as qualified or not qualified based upon meeting grade requirements and course completion 3.0+ cumulative GPA for the seven prerequisite courses 2.0+ in each prerequisite course Grades may be used to rank candidates later in the review process in the event of otherwise equally qualified applications The top 30 candidates will be identified based on total points derived from observations, prepared essay and recommendations. These candidates will be notified by to attend a mandatory on-campus essay. Applicants not in the top 30 will receive notification. The on-campus essay will be evaluated and considered together with the recommendation forms, prepared essay, and observation forms. At the end of this process, up to 15 qualified applicants will be offered admission to the PTA program. An Alternate List may be compiled for each program year. This will be assessed annually and is not a guarantee that an Alternate List will exist. It is not possible for the admissions office to notify applicants of missing materials or respond to applicant inquiries as to the status of their application. COMPLETION OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY SEQUENCE: BIOL&242 Applicants admitted to the PTA program who have not completed BIOL&242 will be 8

9 required to complete it in Summer 2016 or the first quarter of PTA program (Fall 2016). If planning to complete BIOL&242 in the first quarter of PTA program note that evening sections of BIOL&242 do not conflict with a PTA course schedule. In order to better ensure a seat in BIOL&242, register for a Fall evening section on Summer/Fall Advising Day (May 10, 2016). This section fills quickly. Applicants needing BIOL& 242 in the fall should register when fall registration opens in May If you are not selected you can drop the course prior to the start offal quarter If not selected to the PTA program, you may drop BIOL&242 if desired APPLICATION SIGNATURES In signing forms in the application document, you will be certifying that to the best of your knowledge the statements made are complete and true. This means that failure to disclose and submit official transcripts from all schools, colleges or universities attended and failure to disclose and submit complete and accurate information may result in the denial of admission or subsequent dismissal from Lake Washington Institute of Technology. Your application will be considered incomplete without the required signatures LWTech POLICY STATEMENTS Non-discrimination Policy: Lake Washington Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender, marital status, genetic information, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran. Response or non-response to any of the questions listed as voluntary in this application will not affect your consideration for admission. Use of the Social Security Number (SSN): To comply with federal laws, we are required to ask for your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). We will use your SSN/ITIN to report Hope Scholarship/Life Time tax credit, to administer state/federal financial aid, to verify enrollment, degree and academic transcript records, and to conduct institutional research. If you do not submit your SSN/ITIN, you will not be denied access to the college; however, you may be subject to civil penalties (refer to Internal Revenue Service Treasury Regulation S-1(e) (4) for more information). Pursuant to state law (RCW 28B ) and federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), the college will protect your SSN from unauthorized use and/or disclosure. 9

10 CONTACT INFORMATION FOR QUESTIONS Advising office: (425) Therapist Assistant Financial Aid: (425) Physical Therapist Assistant website: MAILING/DELIVERY Physical Therapist Assistant Admissions Lake Washington Institute of Technology nd Avenue NE Kirkland, WA If mailed, must be postmarked on or before deadline. Consider a Return Receipt Requested form from your post office. Use a 10X13 envelope. Hand-deliver to: West 201, Information Center or walk-up windows area 10

11 Additional PTA Program Information Documentation for Clinical Affiliation Participation Additional documentation may be required for PTA Program students to participate in community-based clinical affiliations required for completion of the PTA program. Documentation may include but is not limited to: Tuberculosis screening Verification of Immunizations Background Check HIV/AIDS 7 hr Training Certificate Drug Screening HIPAA Training (included in PTA coursework) Current CPR for Healthcare Providers Card (must include AED training) Current First Aid Card Background Check Each successful PTA applicant is required to complete a background check. Fees for this online service vary depending on the number of places in which the student has resided within the past seven years. If a criminal background check for a particular student shows a less than satisfactory rating, clinical facilities may deny access to that student. While entrance to the PTA Program may not be denied because of such a rating, without access to the clinical facilities such a student will not be able to satisfactorily complete the PTA program and will be so advised. Throughout the program, PTA students may be asked to complete and sign a form which asks for confirmation of the student s present and past criminal history. In addition, licensure as a PTA in the state of Washington requires a background check. The Washington State Department of Health has the ability to deny PTA licensure based upon criminal history. Clinical Affiliations Students are allowed to participate only in clinical affiliations with which Lake Washington Institute of Technology has a signed agreement. Clinical affiliation experiences for the LWTech PTA Program are generally located in clinics and facilities throughout the Puget Sound region including Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Marysville and Bellingham. Some experiences beyond this region may be available. Students are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from all clinical affiliations. When affiliations occur in the program, they are full-time (40hrs/wk) with the schedule set by the supervising clinical instructor. 11

12 Board Exam and Licensing In order to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Washington State and other states throughout the United States, graduates of a PTA program must pass National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and apply for state licensure. Graduates of the LWTech PTA program are eligible to take the licensing exam. Limits and age requirements for taking the NPTE There are limits to the number of times a candidate can fail this test. Candidates must be 18 years of age when taking the exam. For more details on requirements for the NPTE see their website: gibilityrequirements.aspx 12