The Physical Therapist Assisting Associate of Science Degree Program
at Our Lady of the Lake College has been granted accreditation by
the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the
American Physical Therapy Association (1111 North Fairfax Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 706-3245).
Purpose
The Physical Therapist Assisting (PTA) Program of Our Lady of the
Lake College reflects the mission of the Franciscan Missionaries of
Our Lady and Our Lady of the Lake College, in providing an
educational environment in which individuals can develop into
compassionate health care providers. We invite a diverse population
of students to share their talents and gifts in their growth as
physical therapist assistants: to develop a spirit of healing—with
reverence and love for all of life, with joyfulness of spirit and
with humility and justice for all those entrusted to their care. We
strive to serve as a role model, resource and a healing presence
within the communities we serve.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared to:
-
Practice within safe, ethical and legal boundaries in compliance
with national, state and local standards of practice and within
the scope of practice of the physical therapist assistant.
-
Integrate spiritual, cultural and age specific sensitivity, with
appreciation for reverence and love for all of life, joyfulness
of spirit, humility and justice for all those entrusted to our
care.
-
Implement a comprehensive treatment plan developed by a physical
therapist, utilizing assessment skills, critical thinking skills
and knowledge of basic and applied science.
-
Utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills in the
management of professional and personal situations.
-
Accept responsibility for personal and professional development
by performance of self-assessment and the pursuit of knowledge
and skills through the utilization of professional literature,
involvement in professional organizations at all levels and
educational opportunities.
-
Integrate concepts of quality healthcare with principles of
resource management to promote cost-effective services that
address the needs of all patients.
-
Demonstrate effective and appropriate written, oral and
non-verbal communication skills in interactions with patients,
families, colleagues, other health care providers and the
public.
-
Interact effectively with all members of the healthcare team,
providing information about patient progress and response to
treatment, within the scope of practice of the physical
therapist assistant.
-
Participate in the education of other healthcare providers,
patients, their families and the public.
Admission Criteria
To be considered for admission to the PTA Program, all applicants
must complete the entire PTA application process by January 15 and
meet the minimum admissions criteria listed below:
I. ACADEMIC/COGNITIVE FACTORS
·
Meet OLOL College minimum admission criteria at the time of
application
·
Minimum grade of C in all pre-requisite course work in the degree
plan
·
Recommended Minimum GPA of:
·
2.0 in all college level courses pursued
·
2.75 in arts and science pre-requisite courses listed in the PTA
Curriculum Plan
(Applicants who fail to meet minimum GPA requirements may be
enrolled in the PTA Program after consideration by the program
director, but may be required to take additional course work.)
·
Completion of, or enrollment in, at least 26 credit hours of
pre-requisite course work at the time of application, including:
·
General Education Core
·
BIOL 2310
·
BIOL 2311
·
Priority is given to:
·
Applicants who complete all pre-requisite courses prior to
enrollment in the PTA Program
·
Applicants who have completed pre-requisite courses at Our Lady of
the Lake College
II. NON-ACADEMIC FACTORS
·
Volunteer or Work Experience in a Physical Therapy Department--This
provides the opportunity to explore the practice of physical
therapy, roles of physical therapists and physical therapist
assistants, and settings in which physical therapy is practiced
·
Applicants must document the recommended minimum of 100 hours in at
least one physical therapy department (forms are provided in the
application packet)
·
Volunteer hours must be completed prior to enrollment in the program
·
Preferential consideration is given to applicants who have
experience in more than one physical therapy setting and who have
completed the minimum hours at the time of application
·
Three letters of reference
from employers, counselors, advisors, mentors or instructors, who
can attest to the applicants academic abilities, personal
characteristics and perseverance (reference forms provided in the
application packet)
·
Completed application form,
with official transcripts of grades from all colleges/ universities
attended
·
Additional documentation of evidence of life experiences,
extraordinary accomplishments and personal attributes that attest to
the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the PTA Program:
proven leadership experiences, effective communication skills,
effective time management and organizational skills, ability to
overcome academic challenges, community service activities,
motivation and initiative, application of critical thinking and
problem solving skills, cross cultural experiences
·
Life experiences that may have prohibited academic success but
contributed to overall personal development the following are
provided as examples only: family crises financial hardships,
educational hardships, personal conflict, etc.
·
Extraordinary educational achievements/accomplishments: honors
courses, participation in academic clubs, additional degree or
certification, academic scholarships
Admission Process
Admission decisions for clinical programs are made in a manner
consistent with the College’s policy on admission and with the
“application to selective admissions program” statement. The
Admissions Committee will look carefully at a number of factors that
have been determined generally to be good indicators of success in
the program. Although these factors are not absolute “prerequisites”
(the Board policy states that “no single factor shall automatically
preclude admission”), they are considered carefully in making
admission decisions. Students are strongly encouraged to plan their
academic work and other activities with them in mind.
The primary basis for admission to OLOL College degree programs is
the completion of required arts and sciences courses and apparent
readiness of the applicant for the program. Special consideration is
given to students who have completed all of the pre requisite
courses, who have taken courses at OLOL College, who have met all
minimum admission requirements, and who possess attributes which add
to the cultural or educational diversity of the entering class and
the profession. The goal of the admissions process is to ensure the
selection of students who exhibit both personal and academic
readiness for the program and who demonstrate a commitment to
physical therapist assisting as their chosen profession. The steps
of the admission process are outlined below:
1.
Review of the Application
– The admission process begins with a review of the application by
the College admissions staff to assure that all documentation has
been provided and that the applicant meets the minimum admission
requirements.
2.
Interview–
Qualified applicants will be invited to interview with members of
the Admissions Committee. The brief interview allows committee
members to identify qualities which may not otherwise be evident in
the application process.
3.
Admission Selection–
Selection is determined by the Admissions Committee based on the
information in the application, academic history and interview
results. Admission priority is given to applicants who have
demonstrated academic and personal readiness to meet the challenges
and demands of the accelerated PTA curriculum, oral and written
communication skills, attributes that contribute to the diversity of
the class, and a commitment to physical therapist assisting as their
chosen profession. Applicants who fail to meet minimum application
requirements may be admitted to the program after consideration by
the program director, but may be required to take additional course
work.
4.
Notification of Committee Decisions
- All applicants will be notified in writing of the Admission
Committee's decision as soon as the selection is completed.
5.
Upon admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting Program, all
students must meet the following pre-registration health
requirements; documentation of compliance must be sent to the
OLOL College Director of Campus Health and Safety no later than the
first day of classes:
-
Students must possess a health level sufficient to meet the
performance standards necessary for completion of the Physical
Therapist Assisting Program. Students will be provided with the
required physical examination form, which must be completed by a
physician, and a student health history form, which must be
completed by the student within two months prior to
enrollment in PTA courses.
-
Students must provide a current certificate in basic
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (provider CPR). The
certification must remain current throughout the entire program
enrollment period.
-
Students must complete and pass the pre-enrollment drug screen.
-
Students must receive the hepatitis B immunization series prior
to beginning the clinical education courses in the program. The
hepatitis series can be administered by a student's private
physician or through the OLOL College Office of Campus Health
and Safety.
-
All students are encouraged to carry hospital insurance
throughout their enrollment.
*Students are required to submit to the Office of Campus Health and
Safety evidence of compliance with all health requirements. Students
will not be allowed to attend the clinical portion of their courses
until evidence of compliance is submitted.
After acceptance, students must pass a criminal background check to
meet clinical agency requirements, and final program acceptance may
be contingent upon background check results. Information on the
procedure for completing the criminal background check is in the
student health packet distributed by the Office of Campus and Health
Safety.
Program Progression
The Physical Therapist Assisting (PTA) Program faculty is committed
to providing an enriched environment for the education of graduates
in accordance with the tradition of excellence established by the
College and in support of the health care needs of the community.
The curriculum is designed to reflect current physical therapy
practices, the Mission of Our Lady of the Lake College, and the
Statement of Philosophy of the PTA Program. In order to comply with
those standards, the Progression Policy of the PTA Program has been
established and is available in the PTA Handbook.
Requirements for Graduation
The Associate of Science degree in physical therapist assisting is
conferred upon students when the following conditions have been met:
-
Completion of 70 semester credit hours in the required courses;
and completion of the clinical courses within two years.
-
Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher
on all college work, with grades of C or better in all courses
leading to the Associate of Science degree in physical therapist
assisting.
-
Fulfillment of the residency requirement of OLOL College, which
is 24 credit hours for the Associate of Science degree.
-
Clearance of all indebtedness to OLOL College, including the
return of all materials borrowed from the College Library.
Licensure
-
Following graduation from an accredited school of physical
therapist assisting, successful performance on the Board of
Physical Therapy Examiners Licensure Examination is required to
practice as a physical therapist assistant. The Louisiana State
Board of Physical Therapy Examiners has identified conditions
which may preclude an applicant from writing the licensing
examination.
The Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners will review
each applicant for licensure and determine eligibility.
Curriculum Plan for Associate of Science Degree in Physical
Therapist Assisting
General Education Core Curriculum
-
ACSM 1110- Academic Seminar (1 hr)
-
ENGL 1310- English Composition (3 hrs)
-
ENGL 1311- English Composition (3 hrs)
-
MATH
1315- College Algebra (3 hrs)
-
RELS 1310- Introduction to Theology (3 hrs)
-
PSYC 1310- Introduction to Psychology (3 hrs)
-
SCIENCE (Biological, natural or physical science elective) (3
hrs)
Total (19 Credit Hours)
PTA Program Requirements
-
BIOL 1110- Medical Terminology (1 hr)
-
BIOL 2310- Anatomy and Physiology (3 hrs)
-
BIOL 2311- Anatomy and Physiology (3 hrs)
-
PHIL- Philosophy Elective (3 hrs)
-
PTAP 1110- Introduction to Patient Care (1 hrs)
-
PTAP 2310- Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (3 hrs)
-
PTAP 2310L- Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology Lab (1 hr)
Total (15 Credit Hours)
PTA Program Clinical Sequence
-
PTAP 2710- Introduction to Physical Therapy (3 hrs)
-
PTAP 2715- Neuroscience of Rehabilitation (2 hrs)
-
PTAP 2718- Human Development (1 hr)
-
PTAP 2720- Clinical Science I (2 hrs)
-
PTAP 2725- Clinical Science II (3 hrs)
-
PTAP 2730- Clinical Science III (4 hrs)
-
PTAP 2735- Clinical Science IV (2 hrs)
-
PTAP 2740- Pathophysiology (3 hrs)
-
PTAP 2745- Clinical Education I (6 hrs)
-
PTAP 2750- Clinical Education II (10 hrs)
Total (36 Credit Hours)
Total for Associate of Science Degree in Physical Therapist
Assisting (70 Credit Hours)
