Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS (MN)

The Physical Therapist Assistant is a skilled, licensed healthcare worker who performs delegated interventions and data collection under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist. The Physical Therapist Assistant provides physical therapy services to decrease pain, increase mobility, and increase function. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program (PTA) consists of general education and physical therapy courses which are designed to fulfill the objectives of the program. Concurrent theoretical and clinical experiences enhance the relation of theory to practice for the student. Clinical experience is provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes. The freshman year consists of thirty-four (34) semester hours of general education prerequisites. Physical therapy course work begins in the sophomore year and totals thirty-nine (39) cumulative hours. Students must meet minimum criteria set forth by the program to continue to clinical rotations and the following semester.

Students have a maximum of 2 attempts to complete the program successfully. Re-entry into the program is not guaranteed. Students must receive the approval of the PTA Faculty and satisfactorily complete any assigned remediation materials assigned at the time of withdrawal from the first attempt. Further information available in PTA Student handbook upon admission to program.

Special Note: HIV/HBV/COVID Vaccination

As members of the healthcare team, students are at risk of exposure to blood and body fluids. The exposure to blood or body fluids carries with it the potential to be infected with pathogens that cause HIV, which can become Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and/or Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). To date, no vaccine is available to prevent HIV/AIDS, and no antiviral drugs are available to cure HIV/AIDS. A safe and effective Hepatitis B Vaccine used in the prevention of HBV infection is available. A safe and effective COVID 19 Vaccine is used in the prevention of Coronavirus infection is also available. These vaccines are recommended for health care workers and can be obtained from the Public Health Department or a private physician for a fee.

Clinical Affiliating Agency Policies

Clinical affiliating agencies require Bishop State Community College physical therapist assistant students to consent to a drug screen and criminal background check. Physical therapist assistant students enrolled in the College PTA program are required to abide by all policies of the assigned affiliating clinical agencies including, but not limited to, security checks, ID badges, orientations, parking regulations, smoking, and dress code policies. Clinical affiliating agencies have the option of denying clinical access to a student based upon criminal background check and or drug screening. The cost of the background checks and drug screen is the responsibility of the student. Students are also responsible for Student Liability Insurance which is purchased through Bishop State’s Business Office.

Students are required to remain in compliance with the policies of Bishop State Community College, its PTA Program, and the Clinical Site during clinical affiliations. Should the Clinical Site have a more stringent policy, the student will be expected to comply with the site’s policy as per the Clinical Affiliation Contract.

Special note regarding vaccinations: While the College cannot and does not mandate vaccinations, all clinical sites reserve the right to do so as failure to demonstrate compliance may adversely affect reimbursement of services. Any student has the right to defer vaccination. However, choosing to do so may limit the availability and variety of clinical settings available to the student.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085, telephone: 1-800-999-2792

Legal Limitation of Licensure/Practice

The Alabama Board of Physical Therapy shall refuse to issue a license to any person and after notice and hearing in accordance with its regulations and rules shall suspend or revoke the license of any person who has: (1) practiced physical therapy without a referral, (2) used drugs or intoxicating liquors to an extent which affects his or her professional competency, (3) been convicted of a felony or of a crime involving moral turpitude, (4) attempted to gain a license by fraud or deception, (5) been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction, (6) been convicted of violating any state or federal narcotic law or (7) other behaviors unbecoming or illegal of a PT or PTA. Any questions regarding the legal limitations of licensure/practice should be directed to the Director of the PTA program immediately before pursuit of the PTA degree.

The Admission Process

The Bishop State PTA Program is accredited as a 1+1 program. This means that students must complete all pre-requisite courses prior to being accepted into the technical phase of the program, this is, by the end of the spring semester of the application year. The admission process is competitive in nature. Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. Seats are awarded based on the highest admission point scores. The number of applicants in each cohort is determined by the program’s accreditor, CAPTE.

Admission Point System for selection to the second year of the program is posted on the program’s webpage at: Physical Therapist Assistant - Bishop State. Students are advised to check the website periodically for updates prior to contacting the PTA Program.

Application to the Program

• Please submit an application for general admission to Bishop State Community College. The application may be completed online at: Apply Now! - Bishop State.
• Request official copies of all transcripts from each college or university attended. Transcripts may be forwarded in electronic format from a transcript service provider such as Parchment, Credential Solutions, or the National Student Clearinghouse or, they can be mailed to following:

• Students must request TEAS scores by sent to Bishop State and the PTA Centralized Application System (CAS) by the deadline. The PTA program transitioned to the TEAS as the only standardized test for admission beginning with the Spring 2023 admission cycle.
• Students are required to complete a minimum of 50 volunteer hours or paid time at TWO different types of clinical settings (hospital, nursing home, or outpatient clinic). Hours of observation must be performed under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant and documented A minimum of 25 hours is required at each location. Documentation of work/observation hours must be entered into the Centralized Application System by May 15 for verification.
• PTA students are required to pass a drug screen and a background check prior to attending clinical education experiences. Students may need to contact the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy regarding regulations for licensure if there is a history of drug dependency, mental or emotional disorders or conviction of a criminal offense. Students are required to submit the names of references on the application which should include a 1. Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant, 2. College Instructor in a prerequisite course, and/or 3. Employer or supervisor you have worked for either for pay or as a volunteer. Please inform the reference that you have selected them to complete the reference form. References will receive an email from the PTA CAS asking them to complete the reference online. A minimum of 2 references are required.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring he/she/they submits all portions of the application to include:

1. Bishop State Community College Application Online
2. Bishop State PTA Program Application via CAS.
3. Transcripts from high school and all institutions of higher learning (to Bishop State and the PTA CAS).

**The PTA CAS cannot be submitted until all sections are completed. Should you need to make any changes to your application after submission, you will need to contact the PTA CAS directly. Bishop State employees cannot alter your application for you or reopen it.

Special Program Requirements

Prior to beginning the first clinical affiliation, students must have successfully completed the requirements for the Basic Life Support Certificate for the Healthcare Provider (BLS) and basic first aid through the American Heart Association.