Physical Therapist Assistant Program - Tarrant County College

If the program has followed its philosophy and accomplished its mission and goals, student outcomes, or objectives,will be satisfactory. The following are the student outcomes for the program (note: institutional goals* are linked inparenthesis):1. After graduation, the student who sits for the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination will pass itand become licensed within one year of graduation (TCCD goal I)2. Within six months of obtaining a license, the student will be employed as a physical therapist assistant.(TCCD goal I)3. Prior to graduation, the student will demonstrate entry-level competency in professional behaviors, datacollection skills, and physical therapy interventions in a supervised clinical setting. (TCCD goal I, III)4. Prior to graduation, the student will follow the Texas Physical Therapy Practice Act and Rules in asupervised clinical setting. (TCCD goal I)5. Prior to graduation, the student will describe physiological responses during progressive therapeuticexercises across systems (eg, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary, etc). (TCCD goal I)6. Prior to graduation, the student will explain the role various health care providers have in the managementof commonly seen pathologies. (TCCD goal I)7. Prior to graduation, the student will communicate appropriately as a member of the physical therapistassistant program (on campus) and as a member of the health care team (during clinical experiences).(TCCD goal I)8. In class and/or lab, the student will demonstrate active learning. (TCCD goal I)*Institutional goals are found in the TCC college catalog. Goal I – Support student learning and success; Goal II– Ensure affordability, accessibility, and diversity; Goal III – Promote institutional effectiveness.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 6

• PTHA courses MUST be taken in the order shown in the catalog curriculum page (these courses are offered ONLYduring the semester shown in the curriculum.• The student MAY NOT be allowed to progress to the next semester in the program until s/he successfully completesall courses (PTHA, general education, and specialized) required for the previous semester.• Only students who have been accepted to the program may take the PTHA courses. Audits of these courses are notpermitted.CLINICAL ROTATIONSClinical rotations are a mandatory component of the PTA program. The program utilizes many clinical sites in theFort Worth-Dallas Metroplex – Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Johnson, Parker, and Wise counties. Although not firstpriority, efforts are made to place the student as close as possible to his/her home. City bus services are notavailable at all clinical sites. Students must have reliable transportation to clinical and should prepare forlengthy drive times to clinical. Students are not paid for clinical work.The student’s clinical schedule is set by TCC’s Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education and the clinical facilitypersonnel. Hours are during typically physical therapy business hours (daytime). Start and stop times aredependent upon the individual clinical and/or clinical instructor’s schedule. An eight hour day is typical; start timesas early as 7am and stop times as late as 7pm are possible. Clinical days vary by semester but are typically duringthe weekdays. However, weekend days may be required. Note: To pass a clinical course, it is mandatory tocomplete the assigned clinical hours and days.Typical Clinical ScheduleSemester Course DaysSummer after 1 st yr (second half of semester) PTHA 1260 Mon through ThursFall of 2 nd yr (first half of semester) PTHA 2260 Mon, Wed, FriFall of 2 nd yr (second half of semester) PTHA 2261 Mon, Wed, FriSpring of 2 nd yr (second half of semester) PTHA 2363 Mon through FriScreening RequirementsCriminal background checks and drug screenings are mandatory after acceptance into the program but beforeclasses begin. Felony convictions will prevent the applicant from ultimate acceptance into the program;misdemeanor convictions may or may not. The student is responsible for all fees associated with these procedures(approximately $80 total, unless further assessment of prescription drugs is required, an additional $50). All alliedhealth departmental policies regarding screening apply. Students may be required to complete additionalscreenings from individual clinical sites; cost is usually covered by the clinical site, but occasionally the student mayincur the cost. Failure to meet the criteria in any screening will result in immediate termination from the program.Note: Satisfying the criminal background check for the program does not guarantee that thegraduate satisfies the criteria for taking the Texas PTA licensure exam. If you have a felony,misdemeanor conviction, jail-time associated with a crime, or deferred adjudication, you mustcontact the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners before applying to the program(www.ecptote.state.tx.us) to ensure you are eligible to take the licensure exam after graduation.There is a form on their website to complete (“Request Criminal History Evaluation Letter”).Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 9

Health Status and ImmunizationsAfter accepted into the program, the student must submit documentation to verify health status andimmunizations before classes begin in the Fall semester. The information must be documented by a qualifiedhealthcare provider on the TCC health form provided to the student. Students must meet the following immunityrequirements:• Mumps, measles, rubella, polio: proof of immunity through vaccination or titer. Must be documented prior to first dayof classes.• Tuberculosis: current skin test showing no active TB (or X-ray where necessary); this test must be no older than oneyear and must be no re-administered yearly. Must be documented prior to first day of classes.• Tetanus/diphtheria: current immunization; must be documented prior to first day of classes.• Hepatitis A: recommended but not mandatory.• Hepatitis B: complete series or proof of immunity titer mandatory prior to first clinical rotation.• Meningitis, in certain circumstance may be required before registration.• Flu vaccine each winter semester for clinical placement. (Note: if student declines the flu vaccine and signs a waiver,the student may be required to wear infection control mask at all times during clinical courses.)Health and Liability InsuranceStudents will be asked to provide proof of personal health insurance just prior to the start of clinical courses (seeAppendix A for timing of clinical courses within the curriculum). Students must provide documentation indicatingthey are covered with at least “catastrophic or emergency care” and/or a county health care card. Note: Healthinsurance is recommended, but not required, prior to the start of the program courses.Students are not required to purchase their own patient liability insurance for clinical courses. TCC obtains theinsurance certificate and provides this information to each clinical site. The fee associated with this insurance ispaid for by students during the fall semester of each year. Basically, students are covered at one million dollar perincident/three million total. Note: This insurance does not pay for injuries to the student at clinical – only forthe patient. The student is completely responsible for costs incurred if injured while in clinical. Thisinsurance may not cover all legal costs if a patient is injured by the student. Students who are accepted intothe program will be required to sign a statement of understanding for liability insurance requirements.Dress Code for Clinical and Off-Campus ToursIt is mandatory for students to wear the program-approved uniform to all clinicals, professional seminars, and offcampusevents. The uniform consists of plain, khaki-colored, twill pants/slack and a navy blue polo-style shortsleevedshirt. The student is also required to purchase a plain white, hip-length lab coat. Shoes must be mostlywhite and provide the student with good arch support – no open toe or slides; no sandals, including “croc-style”.Women are allowed to wear a maximum of two stud earrings in each ear (no bars) and men may not wear earringsat all. No other visible piercings (including tongue) are allowed. Clinical sites may require students to wear longsleeves to cover tattoos. Note: Do not purchase uniform before receiving explicit instructions from faculty.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 10

APPLICATION PROCEDURESOnly those students with a completed application files are considered for selection into theprogram. A complete application file consists of the items listed in this box. Each item isfurther explained in detail.1. Admissions Testing Requirements : Proof of competency in Math, Reading, and Writing2. Proof of admission to TCC3. Program Application Form (different from the college admission form)4. Separate official transcripts from each and every college/university5. Research Paper6. Work Experience Form (where applicable)APRIL 1, 2013IS THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION TO THE PROGRAM.1. Admissions Testing RequirementsIn order for students to be successful after in the program, competency in math, reading, and writing skills must bedemonstrated prior to application. Students can demonstrate competence in the aforementioned areas by:• Completion of previous applicable coursework (for example, ENGL 1301 satisfies the writing skills; PSYC 2301satisfies the reading skills; MATH 0350 or higher satisfies the math skills)OR• Passing each of those sections of ACCUPLACER (or an appropriate alternative test) with certain scores,OR• Earning a grade of “C” or better in the following developmental courses: MATH 0350, RDNG 0363, and ENGL0325.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 11

NOTE: No testing exemptions or waivers are accepted for application to the PTA program.Being “TSI complete” for MATH may not satisfy admissions testing requirements – it depends upon yourscore for the algebra section.2. Proof of Admission to TCCPrior to applying to the PTA program, the student must be accepted as a TCC student. The student can requestcollege enrollment several ways:• Appear in person to any TCC registrar’s office and complete an application, OR• Print an application form online Tarrant County College - Apply for Admission. Complete the form and mail in toaddress on the form, or• Apply online, Tarrant County College - Apply for Admission through “ApplyTexas” System.If the student has not been enrolled in a TCC course for over one year, the student must complete a ReactivationForm through the online WebAdvisor system. Note: Without an updated record, the student may have to pay out-ofcountytuition. Processing time is approximately 48 hours after submission of form.It is recommended that students enroll with TCC prior to submitting transcripts to the registrar’s office. It takesseveral days for an application to be process; thus, it is recommended that students enroll at the college in time forthe paperwork to be processed so that the advisement office can confirm student status.Note: If you apply for admissions online using the “ApplyTexas” online application (the third choice in the bulletedlist above), please be aware that this application method is not controlled by Tarrant County College and has beenshown to delay acceptance into the college (especially during peak times of the year).3. Program Application FormThe PTA program is a specialized admissions program. It is a separate process than applying as a TCC student(see #2 above). Students can obtain an Application for Admission to Allied Health Programs by going towww.tccd.edu/pta and click on “Program Application” tab. This year the application can be sent to uselectronically.2. Transcript RequirementsPrior to the deadline date, applicants must submit to the Advisement Office separate official transcripts from eachand every college or university attended or currently attending (including TCC). Graduate transcripts are requiredbut are not used in the selection process.Students who have been enrolled in colleges or universities other than TCC must also:• Submit official transcripts from those colleges/universities to the Registrar’s Office on any TCC campus, or mailto the District Office of Admissions, May Owen Center, 1500 Houston Street, Fort Worth, TX 73102,ANDPhysical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 12

• Complete a Transcript Evaluation Request online through the WebAdvisor system. The Registrar’s office willevaluate all transcripts from other colleges/universities to determine which courses will apply for transfer credit toTCC.Transferring Non-TCC Courses to Satisfy PTA Degree PlanIn general terms, coursework from a regionally-accredited institute of higher learning can be transferred in to TCCto satisfy a degree plan, but first must be evaluated by the District Office of Admissions. If the course requested tobe transferred into TCC does not have the same course number (e.g. BIOL 2401) or course title (Anatomy &Physiology I) as is used at TCC, further evaluation may be necessary at the PTA Program Coordinator level.In most cases, PTHA courses from other colleges do not transfer; evaluation by the PTA ProgramCoordinator would be required.The following table gives courses that have, in the past, been requested to substitute for TCC’s courses but uponevaluation were deemed not transferable for credit toward the PTA degree plan. This is not an all-inclusive list.TCC Required CourseHPRS 1206 Medical TerminologyPSYC 2301 Intro to PsychologyPSYC 2308 Child Growth & DevelopmentPTHA 1325 Communications in Health CareHPRS 2201 PathophysiologyDenied SubstituteA continuing education (non-credit) course or a nursingcourse that included content on medical terminology butwas not the primary purpose of the course.Sociology or Human RelationsAbnormal PsychologyFundamentals of Speech or Interpersonal CommunicationA nursing course that included content on human diseasebut was not the primary purpose of the course.International Transcript RequirementsStudents who request transfer credits from non-US colleges or universities must make an appointment with theInternational Admissions Office and have transcripts evaluated at least six weeks prior to application to theprogram. Contact that office at 817-515-5232 no later mid-January to ensure all paperwork can be completed bythe application deadline date. For additional information, go to "Evaluation of Transfer Coursework" from theAdmissions page on the TCC Website.5. Research PaperEach applicant is required to submit a research paper as part of the application. The paper covers topics such asthe history of the physical therapy profession, description of job duties of a PT and PTA, and personal experiencewith physical therapy. Specific requirements and submission instructions for this report are found in this booklet asAppendix F. NOTE: Applications will be considered incomplete if the student does not submit a report ORsubmits a report that does not follow the specified requirements.6. Work Experience FormPhysical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 13

For certain types of work experience, the student can earn bonus points toward application. For details, please seesection below under “Admissions Rankings”. It is recommended, but not mandatory, to have previous experiencein physical therapy.Selection CriteriaThe selection committee considers all program applications, transcripts, documentation of work experience forms,and research papers to identify those applicants who meet the admissions requirements. After the admissionsrankings are calculated (refer to Admissions Ranking section below), fifty students with the highest rankings will benotified by mail and will be required to attend a mandatory general information meeting. The following week, thetop 32 students will be notified of their selection by mail.The top 32 students are required to attend another mandatory meeting. The remaining students in the top 50group will receive a letter stating he/she is an alternate; no ranking is indicated in this letter. Students not in the top50 group will receive a letter stating such along with general suggestion on how to increase their admissionsranking.Admissions RankingThe selection committee calculates an admissions ranking for each student who completes an application. Theadmissions ranking is calculated by adding together the student’s cumulative undergraduate grade pointaverage (GPA) and total bonus points. Admissions rankings change every year depending upon the pool ofstudents who apply. The maximum admissions ranking is 6.80 points. Also see “Sample Admissions RankingComputation Method” at the end of this section.Grade Point AverageAll undergraduate transcripts from regionally-accredited colleges/universities will be used to calculate a cumulativegrade point average. Exceptions: Developmental courses do not count towards GPA. Courses that fall underAcademic Fresh Start do not count towards GPA (for details, see later section titled Academic Fresh Start). If astudent does not have at least 12 credit hours of college, high school transcripts will be used to calculate the GPA.International credits can be used if previously evaluated by TCC (see above section titled International TranscriptRequirements). If a student has completed a course more than once, the course with the highest grade will be usedto calculate the GPA; thus, a student may retake a course to increase his/her application ranking.Bonus PointsThere are four ways to earn bonus points. The maximum number of bonus points that can be earned is 2.80(two and eight-tenths).Bonus points are awarded for:1. Successful completion of the general education and specialized (HPRS) courses within the curriculum (inother words, all non-PTHA courses within the curriculum; see Appendix A) from a regionally-accreditedcollege/university.• One-tenth of a point (0.1) is added to the GPA for each general education or specialized course required for thedegree for which a grade of “C” or better was earned.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 14

• An exception to the above is for BIOLOGY 2401 and 2402 (Anatomy & Physiology): for each course, threetenthsof a point (0.3) is given as bonus for a grade of “A”; two-tenths of a point (0.2) is given for a grade of “B”;and one-tenth (0.1) is given for a “C”. For purposes of admission and degree requirements, the A&P coursescannot be over 5 years old at the time of admission.• The maximum points a student can earn for this type of bonus is 1.30 (one and three-tenths).• Undergraduate semester hours from a regionally-accredited college or university for which a grade of“C” or better was made. Points awarded are proportionate to the number of credits awarded up to amaximum of 120 semester hours. The maximum points a student can earn for this type of bonus is 0.9 (ninetenths).• Earned Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. The maximum points astudent can earn for this type of bonus is 0.1 (one-tenth)2. Documented work experience as a paid tech/aide or volunteer/observation hours in a physical therapyclinic or department. The maximum a student can earn for this type of bonus is 0.5 (five-tenths). See chartbelow for point system.• Other health care positions may be eligible for bonus points. The experience must have been paid, directpatient care experience with an established company (in other words, you cannot have worked “for yourself”).oOnly the following other health care positions are eligible for bonus points: CNA, LVN, RN,chiropractor’s aide, restorative aid, licensed or certified athletic trainer, licensed/certified paramedic (ifcombined with firefighter, primary job must be paramedic), degreed exercise physiologist, licensedoccupational therapist/assistant, or licensed massage therapist. Transport techs, medication aids, oroffice clerks are not eligible for bonus points. See chart below for point distribution.• Bonus points awarded are proportionate to the number of hours completed. Hours must be within five years ofthe application semester. The Documentation of Work Experience form and instructions are found in thisbooklet as Appendix E.• NOTE: The applicant may be asked to provide documentation to confirm hours worked (using IRS W-2 forms orpay stubs). If a discrepancy on the Work Experience Form is discovered even after admission to the program,the student will be dismissed from the program.Hours Worked as Hours of PTHours Worked in Other• If PT Tech/Aide Observation or Health Field (see above an applicanthas completedhours in morethan onecategory, theapplicant will receive points for the one category that gives him/her the most points.Bonus Point Assignment for Work/Volunteer ExperiencePhysical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 15

Volunteerfor approved fields)Bonus PointsAwarded0.1 -- -- -- -- 80 or more -- -- -- -- -- -0.2 80-999 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -0.3 1000-1499 -- -- -- -- 1500 or more0.4 1500-1999 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -0.5 2000+ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -Comparison of Two Sample Computations of Admissions RankingsStudent JoeStudent Maria3.80 Cumulative undergraduate GPA 3.00 Cumulative undergraduate GPA0.10 Completed English Composition I (min grade of “C”) 0.30 Completed Anatomy & Physiology I (grade of “A”)0.20 Completed Anatomy & Physiology I (with grade of “B”) 0.30 Completed Anatomy & Physiology II (grade of “A”)0.20 Experience points as paid PT tech (worked 800 hrs) 0.10 Completed English Composition I (min grade of “C”)0.45 Completed 60 hours of college (min grade “C”) 0.10 Completed Medical Terminology (min grade of “C”)4.75 Total - Student’s Admissions Ranking 0.10 Completed Humanities elective (min grade of “C”)0.10 Completed Child Growth Psych (min grade of “C”)0.10 Completed 88 hours of observation in PT clinic0.90 Completed 126 hours of college (min grade of “C”)0.10 Bachelor’s degree from regionally-accredited college5.10 Total – Student’s Admissions RankingIn 2012, for the group of 32 students who were selected, the highest ranking was 6.02; the lowest was 5.31.Keep in mind that each applicant is competing with all other applicants who apply during the sameadmissions period. There is no “magic number” to guarantee selection.The Trinity River advisement office provides face-to-face, E-mail, or telephoneadvisement for this program.Tarrant County College - Trinity River East Campus245 East BelknapFort Worth, TX 76102Telephone 817-515-2481 or E-mail questions to .Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 16

Academic Fresh Start (AFS)Tarrant County College understands that sometimes one needs a second chance. If a student qualifies for AFS,he/she is “entitled to elect to have all academic coursework that was earned 10 or more years prior to the requestedenrollment date ignored for enrollment purposes and GPA computation”.Students electing to apply under AFS must contact the registrar’s office 2-3 months prior to the program deadlinedate to schedule an appointment to file AFS paperwork. Official transcripts are required in order to determineeligibility. If applying to the program with AFS, a copy of the AFS approval paperwork must be submitted with theprogram application. Go to the Student Services section in the TCCD website for an AFS application.NOTE: If courses that fall within the AFS period were used to determine admissions requirements (see sectionabove titled Admissions Testing Requirements), the student will be required to fulfill these requirements again priorto the application deadline date.Challenge TestsChallenge tests for advanced placement credit are available for BIOL 2401 & 2402 Anatomy and Physiology andHPRS 1206 Medical Terminology. Certain requirements apply. It is the student’s responsibility to makearrangements to take these tests, if desired. It is also the student’s responsibility to apply with the registrar’s officeto have these credits, if given, posted to his/her transcripts. There is no fee to take the challenge test; however,there is a fee of approximately $30 involved in posting each course’s credits on the transcript. Approval to take thechallenge tests must be obtained from the following individuals:• HPRS 1206 Medical Terminology Woody KagelerDirector, Allied Health DeptTrinity River East Campus817/515-2348• BIOL 2401/2402 Anat & Phys Charlene ColeChair, Biology and Nutrition DeptNSCW 2204, Northeast Campus817/515-6547TEXTBOOKSTextbooks are made available in the Trinity River campus (only) bookstore for PTHA and specialized HPRScourses shortly before the beginning of each semester. The textbooks for all other general education courses areavailable at any campus bookstore shortly before each semester. It is not required that TCC students purchasetextbooks only from the bookstore located on campus. Textbooks for the PTHA courses should be purchased priorto the first day of classes. In some courses, electronic books, so-called e-books, are available for purchase alongwith the hard copy of the textbook. Note: It is unlikely that one could complete PTHA courses without having therequired textbooks. From the TCCD website, click on the Bookstores and Textbooks tab of the Student Servicespage for information about the TCC bookstores.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 17

FINANCIAL AIDFinancial aid may be available to students based on need, academic success, and/or field of study. Informationabout loans, student employment, scholarships for health science students, and applications for financial aid mustbe obtained from the Financial Aid Office located on the Trinity River Campus, 817/515-1058. From the TCCDwebsite, click on the Financial Aid tab of the Student Services page for online financial aid information.Note: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that financial aid paperwork is completed in a timely manner prior tothe start of the semester. Students who apply for financial aid close to the start of the semester may not receive financialassistance until after payment dates are due for tuition. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain contact with the financialaid advisor to know when assistance is arriving in relation to tuition payment dates. Students are dropped automaticallyfrom classes if tuition payment is not made on time whether or not financial aid has been initially approved.COMPUTER USEAfter the student receives TCC admissions approval, he/she will use the online WebAdvisor system to select andregister for classes. This system is password protected and information within this system is considered protectedinformation. The system can be accessed via the TCC web site by clicking on the tab titled MYTCC.The program student is expected to be able to use basic computer functions, navigate the Internet, use a basic E-mail program, and use a word-processing and presentation program. Materials for each course (such as syllabi,handouts, course objectives, Microsoft PowerPoint© presentations, etc.) are provided to the student electronicallyvia TCC’s Campus Cruiser online system. It is recommended that a student’s home computer be compatible withMicrosoft products for ease of downloading. The college does provide limited on-site computers for students to usefree of charge; printing documents is not free however.REGISTERING FOR COURSES THAT REQUIREA “GRANTED PETITION”Enrollment in all PTHA courses is restricted to only those students accepted into the program. If a non-programstudent attempts to register for a PTHA course, he/she will receive a message in WebAdvisor that says “grantedpetition is required to register for this class.”For certain other courses, specifically HPRS and BIOL 2401 & 2402, registration is restricted for a period of time incertain sections to allow current program students to register for a required course. After all program studentscomplete enrollment, the course is then re-opened to the general population.NO ONE except currently-enrolled program students are given a granted petition - DO NOT CALLTHE ALLIED HEALTH OFFICE, THE FACULTY, OR THE REGISTRAR TO REQUEST A PETITION. NOEXCEPTIONS ARE MADE.After acceptance into the program, students who have not completed an HPRS or BIOL course will receive apetition for one section of the restricted course.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 18

WORKING WHILE ATTENDING THE PROGRAMThe PTA program is a highly technical program, covering complex skills and applications. All of the PTA coursesare currently taught on-campus during the daytime hours. Class days vary by semester (see Appendix B forsample schedule).The general education courses within the curriculum are offered in various formats: on-campus (day, evening,weekend) or distance learning via the Internet.The successful program student will be prepared to spend extensive time studying course material,preparing for exams, and practicing therapy techniques in lab (outside of scheduled lab classes).• It is also highly recommended that students work only part-time during the first year of the program and notat all during the second year.• Please note: During the fall semester of the 2 nd program year, students are in class from 8:30am until 7:30pmon Tuesday and Thursdays and attend clinical rotations all day on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays; thusthere is no “down-time” during the day in this semester.JOB PLACEMENT POST-GRADUATIONWhile the PTA program does not offer job placement per se, we routinely apprise students of openings as they arebrought to our attention by area employers. All of our students who seek employment are offered a job by the timethey complete the second year of the program or shortly thereafter. A temporary PTA license can be obtained sothat a student may begin working soon after graduation but before getting permanent licensure.In addition, the Office of Career and Employment Services offers an online job listing for graduates. Employers areencouraged to list jobs with this department. The student must register with that office prior to graduation to beeligible for this service. Contact them at 817/515-1322Thank you for reading the Information Booklet for admission into the PhysicalTherapist Assistant program at TCC. The Trinity River advisement officeprovides face-to-face, E-mail, or telephone advisement for this program.Tarrant County College - Trinity River East Campus245 East BelknapFort Worth, TX 76102Telephone 817-515-2481 or E-mail questions to allied.health@tccd.edu.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 19

The following pages are the Appendicesreferenced within the document.APPENDIX A - PTA CURRICULUM PLANNOTE: Courses in BOLD RED can be taken prior to admission to the PTA Program;however, it is not mandatory.First YearFirst SemesterRubric Course Number Course Title Semester HoursBIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I 4ENGL 1301 English Composition I 3HPRS 1206 Essentials of Medical Terminology 2PTHA 1201 The Profession of Physical Therapy 2PTHA 1321 Pathophysiology for Physical Therapist Assistant 3PTHA 1431 Physical Agents 4Second SemesterBIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II 4HPRS 2201 Pathophysiology 2HPRS 2200 Pharmacology for Health Professions 2PSYC 2308 Child Growth and Development; or PSYC 2314 3PTHA 1405 Basic Patient Care Skills 4PTHA 1413 Functional Anatomy 41 st Summer TermPTHA 1325 Communication in Health Care 3PTHA 2201 Essentials of Data Collection 22 nd Summer TermPSYC 2301 Introduction to Psychology 3PTHA 1260 Clinical – Physical Therapist Assistant 2Second YearFirst SemesterPTHA 2260 Clinical – Physical Therapist Assistant 2PTHA 2261 Clinical – Physical Therapist Assistant 2Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 20

PTHA 2409 Therapeutic Exercise 4PTHA 2431 Management of Neurological Disorders 4Second SemesterElective(s) ## Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3PTHA 2239 Professional Issues 2PTHA 2363 Clinical – Physical Therapist Assistant 3PTHA 2435 Rehabilitation Techniques 4## One three-credit hour course required. See Appendix D for approved courses.Total Semester Hours 71APPENDIX B - SAMPLE SCHEDULE2013-2014 Tentative Schedule for PTHA CoursesPlease note: Course days and times may vary from year to year. This chart gives only the PTHA course schedule; all other requiredcourses (general education and specialized) must be taken at times that do not conflict with this schedule (or be completed priorto admission to the program). The college offers numerous sections of general education courses that will fit into the student’sschedule.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 21

Course Title Days Times CommentsFALL – 1 st YearPTHA 1201 Profession of PT TTH 10:30-11:50am, lecture Extensive reading requiredPTHA 1321 Pathophys for PTA TTH 1:00-2:20pm, lecture Extensive reading requiredPTHA 1431 Physical Agents MWM, W, or F10:30-11:55am, lecture1-4:50pm or 9-1:00pm, labGeneral Education Courses Required: BIOL 2401, ENGL 1301, HPRS 1206SPRINGPTHA 1405 Basic Pt Care TTHT, TH or F10:10-11:30, lecture1-4:50pm or 9-1:00pm, labM/W labs are 1:15-5:00 and Fri lab is 9:00-1:00pm.Student is assigned to one lab. Extensive study timeoutside of class with fellow classmates.T/TH labs are 1:15-5:00pm and Fri lab is 9:00-1:00pm. Student is assigned to one lab. Extensivestudy time outside of class with fellow classmates.PTHA 1413 Funct’l Anatomy MW1:20 – 4:15pm, lecture1:20 – 4:55pm, labGeneral Education Courses Required: BIOL 2402, HPRS 2201 and 2200, and PSYC 2308 or 2314SUMMER (Note: PTHA1225 and 2201 start Summer I and is 8 weeks; PTHA1260 starts Summer II and is 6 weeks.PTHA 1325 Communications TTH 8:00-10:50am, lectureExtensive study time outside of class with fellowclassmates.PTHA 2201 Data Collection TTHTTH11:00-12:50pm, lecture1:30-5:20 labPTHA 1260 Clinical M-TH Depends upon placement. See section Clinical Rotations.General Education Courses Required: PSYC 2301.FALL - 2 nd YearPTHA 2260 Clinical MWF Depends upon placement. Length is first half of semester.PTHA 2261 Clinical MWF Depends upon placement. Length is second half of semesterExtensive study time outside of class with fellowclassmatesPTHA 2409 Therapeutic Exer TTHTTH8:30-12:20pm, lab1:30-2:50pm, lectureExtensive study time outside of class with fellowclassmates (evening hours).PTHA 2431 NeurologicalDisordersTTHTTH4-5:20pm, lecture5:30-7:30pm, labExtensive study time outside of class with fellowclassmates (evening hours)SPRING – (PTHA 2239 and 2435 are first half of semester; PTHA2363 is second half of semester)PTHA 2239 Profess’l Issues Arranged Arranged Times and days vary. Field trips required.Course length is first half of semester.PTHA 2435 Rehab Technique MWMW9-11:50 lec1-4:50 labExtensive study time outside of class with fellowclassmates. Course length is first half of semester.PTHA 2363 Clinical M – F Depends upon placement. Course length is second half of semester.General Education Courses Required: Humanities Elective (see Appendix D for approved courses).Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 22

APPENDIX C – PROGRAM COST ANALYSISApproximate Costs per Semester for 2012-2013 School Year1 st Year 1 st Year 1 st Year 1 st Year 2 nd Year 2 nd YearFall Spring Summer I Summer II Fall SpringCredit Hours 18 19 5 5 12 12Tuition* $972 1026 270 220 648 648Books** $717 607 341 341 156 190Misc# $300 300 300 100 300 300Total/semester $1989 1933 911 661 1104 1138Grand Total $ $7736*Approximate tuition for 2012-2013 school-year is $52 per credit hour (based on current rates – rates can change year to year);rates listed are based on Tarrant County residency.**Book prices are for new hardback books purchased at the college bookstore. Price includes general education and physical therapistassistant course textbooks.#Miscellaneous includes personal copying/printing fees (paper and ink), Scantrons, office supplies, gait belt, goniometry equipment, labuniform, clinic uniforms and shoes, APTA membership, immunizations and clinic ID badge.Approximate Total Cost $7800Length of Program2 years (5 consecutive semesters)Degree Associate in Applied Science (AAS)Deadline for Applying April 1, 2013Eligibility for State Licensure Completion of the program satisfies the educational requirement for taking licensure exam. State licensureis required for working as a physical therapist assistant in Texas. Approximate initial licensure and exam fee is approximately $600. TheTexas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners is the official licensing agency.General Education & Science Courses Required Anatomy & Physiology I & II, English Composition I, Humanities Elective, Introductionto Psychology, Child Growth & Development or Life Span Growth & Development, Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology, andPharmacology for Health Professions.Job Opportunities Hospitals, Rehab Centers, Nursing Facilities, Private Practice Clinics, Home Health Agencies, School Systems (ISD);the licensed PTA must work under the direction and supervision of a licensed PT.Approximate Working Hours as Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant Hours are generally typical business hours, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.Monday through Friday. Some facilities require occasional Saturday & Sunday work.Starting pay On average, $20-$25 per hour; benefits usually included if fulltime; $62,780 is annual mean wage for all PTAs in theDallas/Fort Worth/Arlington area (Not a starting pay). Source: May 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics data from www.bls.gov in sectionOccupational Employment Statistics, accessed Nov 2011.Other Comments Extensive patient contact is to be expected. Student must demonstrate excellent communication, critical thinking andproblem solving skills. Clinical rotation begins midway in program. The general education courses may be taken prior to application.Student must pass criminal background check and substances of abuse screen prior to starting program. Personal health insurance, CPRcertification, and completed Hepatitis-B vaccination serie are required prior to starting clinical. Documentation of childhood immunizationsand negative TB test is required prior to starting PTHA courses.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 23

APPENDIX D – APPROVED HUMANTIES/FINE ARTS ELECTIVESThe following courses are approved Humanities elective optionsfor the PTA Program.HUMANITIES AND VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTSVisual and Performing Arts – One 3-credit hour course: ...........................................3ARTS 1301 Art AppreciationARTS 1303 Art History Survey IARTS 1311 Design IARTS 1316 Drawing IARTS 2316 Painting IARTS 2346 Ceramics IARTS 2347 Ceramics IIARTS 2356 Photography ICOMM 2366 Film AppreciationDANC 1341 Ballet IDANC 1345 Modern Dance IDANC 2303 Dance AppreciationDRAM 1310 Theatre AppreciationDRAM 1351 Acting IDRAM 2366 Film AppreciationHUMA 1315 Aesthetics: Individual & Their CreationsMUSI 1301 Music ReadingMUSI 1306 Music AppreciationMUSI 1308 Music Literature IHumanities – One 3-credit hour course: ...................................................................3ENGL 2307 Creative Writing IENGL 2322 British Literature to 1800ENGL 2323 British Literature Since 1800ENGL 2327 American Literature to 1865ENGL 2328 American Literature Since 1865ENGL 2332 World Literature to 1650ENGL 2333 World Literature Since 1650FREN 2311 Intermediate French IFREN 2312 Intermediate French IIGERM 2311 Intermediate German IGERM 2312 Intermediate German IIHIST 2311 Western Civilization to 1660HIST 2312 Western Civilization Since 1660HIST 2321 World Civilization IHIST 2322 World Civilization IIHUMA 1301 Introduction to the HumanitiesPHIL 1301 Introduction to PhilosophyPHIL 1304 Great Religions of the WorldPHIL 2303 LogicPHIL 2306 EthicsSPAN 2311 Intermediate Spanish ISPAN 2312 Intermediate Spanish IIPhysical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 24

APPENDIX EDOCUMENTATION OF WORK EXPERIENCE FORM (WEF) - Page 1 of 2Instructions to the Applicant:See section titled “Admissions Rankings” for purpose and use of this form.The applicant will provide the employer this both sheets of this form and a stamped, addressed envelope. Addressshould be to: TCC Physical Therapist Assistant – Application - Trinity River East Campus, 245 East Belknap, FortWorth, TX, 76102.Do not send this form with the program application. This form must be completed by the employer and bemailed by the employer. The envelope must be postmarked by April 1, 2013.Before mailing, it is recommended that the student make a personal copy of the form.If you worked for more than one company, submit a separate form for each. If you are submitting PT tech orobservation hours, the PT or PTA you were with must sign the form as well.We do not accept forms originating from other PTA programs.If you submitted this form last year AND you have additional hours to submit, please submit new form ONLYfor the new hours. We still have last year’s forms and will simply add your new hours to the old hours. Please markthe appropriate box on the form if you are submitting new hours.Instructions to the Employer: Must submit a new form each yearThe person listed on the following page has applied for admission to the physical therapist assistant program atTarrant County College, Fort Worth, TX. To satisfy admissions criteria, we require documentation of experience inphysical therapy or another healthcare-related field. Your prompt response will assist in completing the applicant’sfile.On the next page, please mark the category (or categories) that best describes the position held by the applicant.Write in the total clock hours completed for each category. An accurate total must be identified as the applicant maybe asked to provide documentation (i.e. pay stubs) to confirm hours worked. Inaccurate information will void thestudent’s application.Please avoid identifying the total hours worked as a minimum (i.e. “2000+”). All hours must have been completed inthe United States. Do not include hours completed prior to April 1, 2008. Note: This form is not a reference.Employer, place completed form in stamped, addressed envelope provided by student. Before mailing,write your signature across the envelope seal. Do not give the form to the student to mail. Envelope mustbe postmarked by April 1.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 25

DOCUMENTATION OF WORK EXPERIENCE FORM (WEF) – pg 2 of 2Print Name (Last, First , Maiden)Phone Number (required)DateEmail address (required)□ Check this box if you did not submit a WEF last year.□ Check this box if you submitted a WEF last year and areUPDATING your hours with another form. Include only hourssince your last submission.THE APPLICANT WILL COMPLETE ONLY THE TOP PORTION OF THIS FORM.THE EMPLOYER MUST COMPLETE THE INFORMATION BELOW – please see instructions on accompanying page.Employer, based on the descriptions below, locate the type of hours the applicant completed and fill in the requestedinformation. Thank you for completing this form for the applicant.TYPE OF WORK EXPERIENCE1. PAID PT TECH OR AIDEPosition was a PT tech or aide and hours worked were in a PT dept providing physical therapyactivities as directed by a PT (can be combination of PT/OT tech hours, but majority must be withPT) or if position was athletic trainer (ATC/LAT) and hours worked were in a PT dept providingphysical therapy activities directed by a PTTOTAL CLOCKHOURS -do notinclude hoursbefore 4/1/2008STARTDATE OFHOURSSTOPDATE OFHOURS2. UNPAID VOLUNTEER OR OBSERVER*Position was strictly as a volunteer or observer of physical therapy activities performed by aPT or PTA.3. OTHER HEALTHCARE POSITIONSPosition was paid, direct patient/client care as one of the following: CNA, LVN, RN, licensedmassage therapist, paramedic (if combined with firefighter, primary job must be paramedic),chiropractic tech (not office worker), licensed/certified athletic trainer, degree exercisephysiologist, restorative aid, or licensed occupational therapist/assistant.List which occupation was held:________________________________________________Print Name of Person Completing this Form, include professional and work titleand credentials (e.g. Jane Smith, PT, MS – clinic owner, or John Doe, MBA – HRDirectorSignature of Person Completing this FormYour Facility NameYour Contact Number*If this form documents PT tech or volunteer/observation hours and the person completing this form is not a PT or PTA (such as anoffice manager or HR manager), please have the PT or PTA whom the applicant was with write in his/her name and signature here:Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 26

APPENDIX F - RESEARCH PAPER CRITERIA (4 pages)If you submitted a paper in a previous year, you must update it to include any new requirements beforeresubmitting.Each applicant is required to submit a research paper to complete his/her application to the program before theapplication deadline. The criterion for submission is listed below. Students who do not follow these criteria will benotified by email and given a chance to resubmit the paper (if the paper is received after March 25 and needsrevision, the applicant will be given one week to revise after receiving notification).Applications will be considered “incomplete” without an acceptable paper.Applicants who submitted a paper in previous years should revise their previously submitted report tofollow the current requirements. New requirements for 2013 are in RED.Format of the Paper• The student will create a 1500-1700 word, computer-generated paper. It will consist of a title page, the body of work,and a reference page. The title and reference pages do not apply toward the word count.• Use black lettering and do not add fancy backgrounds. Font type will be New Times Roman, Tahoma, or Arial. Fontsize will be either 10 or 12. Top and side margins will be no more than 1.25”. All text is to be double-spaced.• The first part of the paper is research-based (the first 12 topics) and should not be written as a narrative; however,the second part of the paper (the last 5 topics) is about the student and may be written in narrative form (use of “I” isOK). Avoid using incomplete sentences (except in case of bulleted list as shown below in “description of job duties”).Use bulleted lists sparingly. Headings based on the outline given below MUST be used to separate reportsections.• Title page will include four centered lines: student’s full name, student ID number (from WebAdvisor, NOT socialsecurity number), date of submission, and title “PTA Admissions Research Paper”.• Use proper English grammar and punctuation. Indent paragraphs. Use “spell check” function of Microsoft Word as abackup only.• Use the “word count” function (under “Tools”) in Microsoft Word to assure minimum and/or maximum word count issatisfied before submitting paper.• Citations within the paper and a reference page must be included in the paper (see section below onplagiarism).Required Headings and Topics (heading requirement new for 2013)You may include additional headings/topics but ALL of the following MUST be included in the paper. Do notreword headings.PART I – Research (12 bullets)• Physical Therapy History and Purpose (Overview of history and purpose of physical therapy profession)• Purpose and Mission of American Physical Therapy Association (Discussion of the purpose and missionof the American Physical Therapy Association)• Purpose and Mission of Texas Physical Therapy Association (Discussion of the purpose and mission ofthe Texas Physical Therapy AssociationPhysical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 27

• Purpose of the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Discussion of the purpose of the Texas Boardof Physical Therapy Examiners.)• PT/PTA Education Comparison (Discussion of differences in current educational requirements)• PT/PTA Job Responsibility Comparison (Job duties and responsibilities of PT and PTA; distinguish how thetwo are different and alike.• PT/PTA Salary Comparison (Discuss salary differences).• Projected Growth of PT and PTA Jobs• About Hospital Acute Care Physical Therapy (For all of the “Abouts” below, give a description of each ofthe following settings and include things such as types of diagnoses treated in the patient population, length of timetherapy is typically received, special equipment used, special precautions, other things that distinguish this settingfrom the others)• About Outpatient Physical Therapy (ditto)• About Skilled-nursing Physical Therapy (ditto)• About School-system Physical Therapy (ditto)• About Home Health Physical Therapy (ditto)Part II – Personal• Personal Experience with Physical Therapy ( Discuss your personal experience with this profession)• Motivations for Obtaining PTA License (Discuss your motivation(s) for obtaining a PTA license (answercannot simply be “to help people”); include why you chose physical therapy instead of other healthprofession such as radiology, respiratory care, nursing, and surgical technology.)• Job Expectations (Discuss what you will like the most and least about your job as a PTA)• Exposure Risk (Discuss your feelings about providing therapy to individuals who have contagiousinfectious diseases and chronic diseases)• The Interview (Do not give script, incorporate information into paper as you would other sources ofinformation, {books, articles, web information}. Must be within past 12 months and with this paperin mind.• My Personal Plan for Success (Discuss how you will adjust your current home, work, and personal livesto accommodate the extensive time you will spend for class time, lab time, practicing lab skills with partnersoutside of scheduled lab, and study time.)Required and Suggested Sources:• American Physical Therapy Association online; www.apta.org (REQUIRED)• Texas Physical Therapy Association online; www.tpta.org (REQUIRED)• Online TCC library databases; access via www.tccd.edu• Personal interview with licensed PT or PTA (REQUIRED) – please see section below for formatting this type ofreference. Personal interview can be face-to-face or by telephone. No texting or email. (Must have formal interview,even if you work with the person)• Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; www.ecptote.state.tx.us• Advance Magazine for Physical Therapy and Rehab; http://physical-therapy.advanceweb.com/Wikipedia cannot be used as source of information for the paper.Your paper will be rejected if used.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 28

Paper Submission•• Electronically submit the document file to Brenda McKeon as an attachment to an email brenda.mckeon@tccd.eduby the application deadline date; a reply confirmation will be sent (reply is not automatic; please save theconfirmation page for your records).• Submit your paper as one of the following file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .pdf. DO NOT SUBMIT WORD PERFECTOR MICROSOFT WORKS FILES .• Do not send separate files for the title page, body of paper, and citation page. Send all three in ONE file.• The file name MUST include your Name (Last, First, Maiden) and the words PTA Paper.• Subject line in email will include your full name along with the words PTA Paper (for example: Tamara O’Sullivan –PTA Paper).• Do not send paper as a link to an outside web address (as in Window’s Live).Plagiarism and Paper Format• The applicant is expected to research and write the paper. It is acceptable to seek assistance in learning how toresearch the library databases or making sure a sentence “sounds right”, but ultimately, the work must be yourown. Having another person research the content and/or write the paper in your name can result in an invalidapplication or dismissal from the program.• View the TCC plagiarism tutorial at Tarrant County College Libraries: Plagiarism Tutorial.• It is acceptable to use any of the following citation formats for this paper: MLA, APA, or AMA. Once accepted in theprogram, the student will use the American Medical Association (AMA) format for all papers.NOTE: If you do not cite the sources (the references where the information came from)within the paper or provide a reference page at the end, the paper will not be accepted.• For assistance with MLA citations and referencing, go to Tarrant County College Libraries: Additional Resources• For citation of the personal interview, only the following formats are acceptable for the purposes of this paper (nomatter if using MLA or APA style):Mosconi J, PT. Harris Methodist Hospital., Fort Worth, TX. Personal Interview. February 1, 2013.Langdon P, PTA. SportsMed West, Arlington, TX. Personal Interview. March 1, 2013.Check-off Sheet for Paper Submission___ 1. Word count for body of paper is 1500-2000 and verified using “word count” tool in MS Word.___ 2. Document is saved as “.doc, .docx, .rtf, or pdf”. Student name and “PTA Paper” is part of file name.___3. Black lettering used; no fancy backgrounds or borders.___ 4. Font is easy to read and is either 10 or 12 in size.___ 5. Side margins are no more than 1.25”.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 29

___ 6. All text is double-spaced only.___ 7. A narrative form is used in the personal section. Sentences are complete using proper English grammar andpunctuation.___ 8. Title page includes four lines: student’s name, student number, date of submission, and “PTA AdmissionsResearch Paper”. All is centered and double spaced.___ 9. TCCs plagiarism tutorial viewed; All material not considered common knowledge is cited/referencedwithin body of paper; works cited/reference list is last page of paper.___ 10. Either MLA, APA, or AMA formatting used for referencing and citations.___11. Required topics covered.___12. Required headings used.___ 13. Required references included.___ 14. Paper submitted electronically to brenda.mckeon@tccd.edu by April 1, 2013.If the paper is received after March 25 and needs revision, the applicant will be given one week torevise after receiving notification.Please note that the paper will not be accepted if any of the above items are notfulfilled (even something as simple as not having a title page!).You must be able to follow directions for successful completion of this program. If thereis a paper requirement that is unclear to you, please contact Brenda McKeon,(brenda.mckeon@tccd.edu).DO NOT SEND A COPY OF THIS PAPER WITH YOUR APPLICATION.IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED VIA THIS METHOD OF SUBMISSION.Physical Therapist Assistant Program– 2013 Admissions Information Booklet - Revised Oct 2012Page 30

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