Naugatuck Valley Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Transcription

1 Naugatuck Valley Community College Physical Therapist Assistant

2 PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM Naugatuck Valley Community College offers the Associate Degree education necessary to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. This five semester program (two years in PTA ) integrates arts and science courses with specialized physical therapy studies.

3 Physical Therapy The Science of Healing, The Art of Caring

4 What is the difference between a PT and a PTA? The Physical Therapist Assistant is the para-professional in physical therapy, delivering physical therapy treatments under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT). The education of a PTA requires that the candidate earn an Associate Degree. PT programs primarily require a Doctorate Degree. It is important to note that credit from PTA classes is not directly transferable to the educational requirements of PT programs. Given the specific training and licensure of a PTA, the graduate is uniquely prepared for a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

5 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Work for a Physical Therapist Assistant might be: in a hospital with patients who have had a hip replacement, injuries from trauma, or cancer in school systems for children who are disabled or need special attention in a private office providing orthopedic or sports related rehabilitation in home health agencies for patients making the transition home as they recover from a disability in industrial settings for the prevention or recovery from work injuries in rehabilitation hospitals or nursing homes for patients recovering from a hip fracture or stroke

6 FULL TIME PROGRAM 66 credits over two years 29 credits from arts and science courses, such as anatomy and physiology, mathematics, psychology, and social sciences. 37 credits from the 10 physical therapy courses 11 of those credits are earned in clinical education settings, completed in physical therapy clinics which affiliate with the PTA. All physical therapy classes are held during the day, 3-4 days per week; and the clinical component requires 40 hours of attendance weekly in the final semester.

7 ACCREDITATION The has been licensed by the Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education. Naugatuck Valley Community College PTA is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE); 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone #:

8 ADMISSION PROCEDURES 1. High school transcript or a General Education Development (GED) Diploma. 2. Observation, Volunteer and/or Work Experience in Physical Therapy settings 10 hours in-patient (minimum of 3 visits) Hospital SNF/Nursing home Rehabilitation 10 hours out-patient (minimum of 3 visits) Private practice MD office services School System **Experience with a chiropractor or athletic training settings will not fulfill this requirement; all observation experiences must be with a PT or PTA;

9 ADMISSION PROCEDURES 3. Complete the course Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO*211) and Mathematics (a course higher than Mat 137) with a minimum grade of C+". 4. All A&P courses and the math elective course must have been completed within five years of applying to the program. 5. Complete the TEAS V Allied Health Test : Administered at CAPSS; need to score 50% or higher; more information available at testing dates start in April 6. Complete the required College Placement Tests. Remedial courses must be completed by the October 15 th deadline. ***Admission requirements may change without notice

10 ADMISSION PROCEDURES 7. The following courses must be completed or in progress by the application deadline (October 15 th ): BIO*211 Anatomy & Physiology I (with a minimum grade of C+) ENG*101 Composition MAT *elective (course higher than MAT*137and a minimum grade of C+) Arts/Humanities elective ***Admission requirements may change without notice

11 ADMISSION PROCEDURES 8. Earn a G.P.A. of 2.5 for all college work that is required for this degree. Please note that in recent years, admitted students GPA s have been higher than Submit a PTA application. Submit all application materials, including official transcripts, by October 15th. ***Admission requirements may change without notice

12 ADMISSION PROCEDURES 10. All applicants must: attend a PTA information session and/or observe a PTA laboratory class

13 ADMISSION PROCEDURES Observation of a PTA laboratory class allows you to meet the PTA faculty, interact with current PTA students, and understand the type and level of information and skills needed for success in the program. Please contact Cheryl at to schedule an observation

14 Transfer of Credits Please contact Noreen Cerruto in the Admissions Office if you have questions regarding evaluation of transcripts from other institutions for transfer of credits/courses

15 Admission Decisions This is a very competitive selective admissions program. Your rank in the applicant pool will be based on your GPA, math and science (A&P) grades, TEAS test score, and physical therapy observation experiences. Up to 30 applicants admitted each year. Qualified applicants will be required to attend a meeting in December. Final decisions regarding acceptance will be made the 1 st week of January after Fall semester grades have been submitted. Any student that is denied admission this admission cycle, will need to reapply in the upcoming application cycle. ***Admission requirements may change without notice

16 Admission Decisions Applicants will be considered stronger candidates for application if they have: Earned a Bachelor s degree by the 10/15 deadline Completed all general education courses in the PTA curriculum with minimum grade (C) (C+ for A&P I & II and Math elective) requirement by the start of the program.

17 Information Sessions Please check the PTA webpage for information on upcoming information sessions. Information sessions are held at NVCC in Room Ekstrom 625 (PTA Classroom). RSVP is not required. Call for information if needed

18 CURRICULUM Fall (application semester) Anatomy and Physiology I Mathematics (higher than MAT137) English101 Arts/Humanities Elective Spring (1) PTA120 PTA125 Introduction to Physical Therapy Physical Therapy for Function Anatomy and Physiology II English 102 Fall (2) PTA230 PTA235 Physical Agents in PT Kinesiology for Rehabilitation Communications 100 Psychology 111

19 CURRICULUM Spring (3) PTA250 PTA253 PTA258 Therapeutic Exercise Pathophysiology for Rehab PTA in the Healthcare Arena Social Science Elective Fall (4) PTA260: PTA262: PTA265: PTA Seminar PTA Internship II PTA Internship III

20 Qualified Applicants Attend a mandatory meeting for qualified applicants students in January Information regarding program time commitments, professionalism, specific program policies, clinical education, etc.

21 Requirements upon admission: Complete & submit all health requirements at the start of the program Obtain certification in CPR: BCLS Healthcare Provider through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross Criminal Background check (for clinical experiences, licensure exam, & PTA license)

22 Clinical Education The NVCC PTA offers clinical education experiences throughout Connecticut. Students may be required to drive more than 75 minutes to their assigned site. Students are required to provide their own transportation, living expenses (as necessary), health insurance (if required by the facility) and any other expenses while on their clinical education experiences.

23 PTA In addition to tuition & fees, students in the PTA must pay for books & APTA membership, appropriate attire for internships, licensure review course, and transportation. Students must complete and verify all required immunizations and provide certification of CPR (BLS) before the start of clinical education experiences.

24 Group Learning

25 CONSIDERATIONS FOR SUCCESS Allow yourself sufficient time for studying and practicing on campus plan to spend an extra 2-3 days on campus outside of class time. The skills and requirements become more challenging each semester as a result, so will the time investment to be successful. Keep work hours to a minimum by pursuing additional financial support students who work more than 20 hours per week are likely to struggle or withdraw from the program

26 Practice, Practice, Practice

27 CONSIDERATIONS FOR SUCCESS Understand that you are entering a health career program of study not just taking additional classes. Expectations are very different because you will have the responsibility of preparing for a licensure exam and caring for patients. In addition to learning knowledge and skills, you will also be expected to demonstrate professional behaviors in all classes & clinical experiences.

28 Contact Information Kathleen Plunkett, PT, MS Director, PTA, Naugatuck Valley CC Noreen Cerruto Admissions Office, Naugatuck Valley CC

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