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Physical Therapist Assistant

Description

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTHA) curriculum is a two-year integrated program taught over six semesters. The student will develop the knowledge and skills required of an entry-level physical therapist assistant. The physical therapist assistant works under the supervision of a physical therapist assistant.  The physical therapist assistant works under the supervision of the physical therapist to assist in the treatment of individuals suffering from disease or injury by relieving pain, restoring movement, and improving function. Upon completion of the curriculum plan, the student will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant.

Mission

The Mission of Laredo College Physical Therapist Assistant program is to provide a quality education that transforms students into caring, knowledgeable, and skilled entry-level physical therapist assistants committed to safe  and ethical practice to meet the healthcare needs in the community and the region.

Vision 

The PTA Program at Laredo College seeks to foster learning through quality instruction which will prepare graduates to serve the community's healthcare needs.

Goals

  1. Graduates will demonstrate competent and safe entry-level practice.
  2. Graduates will exhibit professional behaviors and adhere to ethical practice consistent with the profession and licensure regulations.
  3. Graduates will participate in professional growth and lifelong learning activities.
  4. The program will produce graduates who will obtain licensure and effectively transition to a physical therapist assistant career.
  5. PTA Program faculty will maintain contemporary expertise.

Outcomes

Graduate Outcomes

  1. The PTA graduate will be rated good to excellent in the provision of competent and safe patient care under the supervision of a physical therapist by 100% of employers surveyed. (Goal 1)
  2. PTA graduates will rate themselves good to excellent in the provision of competent and safe patient care under the supervision of a physical therapist by 100% of graduates surveyed (Goal 1)
  3. The PTA graduate’s professional behaviors will be rated good to excellent by 100% of employers surveyed (Goal 2)
  4. The PTA graduate’s adherence to ethical standards of practice will be rated good to excellent by 100% of employers surveyed (Goal 2)
  5. The PTA graduate's participation in professional development activities will be rated as good to excellent by 100% of graduates surveyed. (Goal 3)

Program Outcomes

  1. PTA program graduates will have a 95% first-time pass rate on the licensure exam as evidenced by the NPTAE examination results. (Goal 4)
  2. One hundred percent of program graduates seeking employment will be employed as PTA's within 12 months of passing the licensure exam. (Goal 4)

Faculty Outcomes

  1. One hundred percent of full-time faculty will complete on faculty development activity related to their teaching content area. (Goal 5)

Accreditation and Licensure

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100 Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245: email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Esmeralda Vargas at 956-721-5262 or email esmeralda.vargas@laredo.edu

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, 1801 N. Congress Ave, Suite 10.900, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 305-6900.

Clinical Education

Three full time clinical experiences, some of which may be out of town, are scheduled at appropriate times during the program. The clinical experiences may include assignments at facilities in Laredo or in surrounding geographical areas in South Texas. Additional expenses for these clinical experiences are the responsibility of the student. The applicant should be aware that the student will be required to work with clients who may speak only Spanish; thus, the ability to speak some Spanish is a definite asset to the student.

Application

Applications are accepted beginning March 1st through the 2nd Thursday in May.

The student seeking admission into the PTA Program must:

  1. Apply for admission to Laredo College. (Click here for more information)
  2. Be college ready in Reading, Writing, and Math 
  3. Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 in PTA degree-specific courses (pre-requisite and academic courses) with a grade of "C" or better
  4. Complete four prerequisite courses: 
  5. Complete 20 hours of observation shadowing a PT or PTA in any setting, except in home health. Students employed as physical therapy techs/aides may count work experience toward this requirement.  If the applicant has work experience as a physical therapy tech/aide, a letter from the place of employment must also be submitted on company letterhead stating term of employment.

    6. List of Facilities for Observation Hours PDF

  6. Submit the following through the online application portal:

Selection Process

Admission into the PTA Program will be based on the following (see PTA Program Candidate Score Sheet):
  • Degree-Specific grade point average (GPA (50%)
  • Pre-entrance exam(40%)
  • Observation Interview (2%)
  • Personal Interview (8%)
  • Bonus Points (see Frequently Asked Questions)
  1. Eligible students will be invited to sit for a pre-entrance exam the last week of May.
  2. Eligible students will be invited to sit for an interview the second week of June.
  3. Students will be ranked based on percentage points awarded. Admission is based on achieving a minimum of 60% of points awarded. 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. Additionally, only those students who meet the cut-off percentage score will be admitted each fall semester.
  4. Accepted applicants will be notified via email by late June.
  5. The applicant not selected for admission into the program may reapply the next application period and complete the admission requirements described above.

PTA Program Candidate Score Sheet PDF

Frequently Asked Questions PDF

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. To access the Physical Examination Form, please click here.
  2. Proof of immunizations: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), Bacterial Meningitis (S. B. No. 62 requires that all college students under the age of 22 must receive the Bacterial Meningitis vaccine. If you are 21 or under, you may request an exemption form in the mail from the Texas Department of State Health Services, please click here for further information), 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. Negative criminal background check: www.castlebranch.com
  6. Negative ten- panel drug screen

The PTA Program adheres to the Equal Educational Opportunity Policy as listed in the LC Manual of Policy FA (LEGAL). Click here to access policy.

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 LC 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 721-5261 or by email at esmeralda.vargas@laredo.edu. An appointment can also be scheduled with the Allied Health secretary at 721-5261 or at the South Campus College of Health Sciences Building, room 307.

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