Physical Therapist Assistant Program (PTA) A45640 Admission Application

4 September 2019 Page 1

Physical Therapist Assistant Program (PTA)

Program Code A45640

Admission Application

Application Deadline: January 24, 2020

Program Start Date: August 17, 2020

https://www.cpcc.edu/programs/physical-therapist-assistant

I. Program Overview

A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) helps to improve or restore the physical function of patients of all ages under the supervision of Physical Therapists. A PTA works to alleviate or prevent physical impairment. They may work with patients to teach them how to perform exercises to increase mobility or to utilize mobility equipment such as crutches or walkers. PTAs work in direct patient care settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, school systems, geriatric healthcare facilities, and home health agencies.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Physical Therapist Assistant job outlook is much higher than average and is expected to increase by 41% nationwide by 2022 in order to meet the needs of the nation’s aging population. Within the past three years, all students seeking employment after earning their licensure have successfully found employment within six months.

Our program at CPCC is a full-time, day program that prepares students to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). During the course of study, students take courses on normal human anatomy and physiology, the consequences of disease and injury, and physical therapy treatments of a variety of patient conditions. Graduates from the program are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for licensure in whichever state they plan to work.

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II. Steps to Complete Before Applying for the PTA Program Information Session

Attend a Physical Therapist Assistant/PTA Program Information Session at CPCC. The PTA program hosts information sessions for students interested in a detailed description of the program and the admission process. Dates and locations of these sessions will be posted on the CPCC Physical Therapist Assistant program website.

CPCC College Admission 1. Graduate from High School or complete the GED.

2. Complete the CPCC College Admission Application. Applications are available online at www.cpcc.edu or at any of the CPCC campus locations. Designate the Physical Therapist Assistant Holding Code (A55280T) as the program of interest on the College Admission Application.

3. Request official transcripts for each of the following:

Required transcripts include the following and must be received in student records no later than January 31st. A. High school with date of graduation OR GED

If you have earned an Associate’s degree or higher, you need to only submit your college transcripts showing proof of graduation.

B. College Transcripts for credit for courses taken at schools other than CPCC C. Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores if requesting college credit at CPCC through AP exam testing

If you receive college credit through AP exam testing at CPCC and wish to use the course(s) for points, you MUST include a copy of your High School transcript with your application.

Official transcripts should be sent to: CPCC Student Records, PO Box 35009, Charlotte, NC 28235‐5009 A. Transcripts are processed in the order of which they are received. Please allow up to four weeks for processing.

Transcripts should be received by Student Records no later than one week after the application period is closed in order for the application to be eligible for review (Receipt can be verified by logging into MyCollege using your CPCC credentials then, under the ‘Student Menu,’ select ‘External Transcript Recv’d’ under the ‘Academic Profile’ heading). You will be notified via your CPCC student email when the evaluation is completed.

B. If seeking credit for college courses by AP exam, the AP exam scores will need to be submitted to Student Records in addition to transcripts.

4. If your high school or college transcripts are not from the United States, you will need an International Transcript Evaluation reviewed by an agent outside of Central Piedmont Community College. A list of International Evaluators is available in the Counseling Department in the Central High Building on the CPCC Central Campus or through the National Association of Credential Evaluating Services (NACES) website. There is a fee for this service.

Required Testing 1. All students should speak to an academic advisor regarding the need to take the required Math and English Placement tests.

Some students may be exempt from placement testing by a waiver. If required, the student must meet with an academic advisor to review placement test scores.

2. All applicants must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS). You will need to schedule an appointment following instructions at the Testing Center website.

A study guide is available at www.atitesting.com

A minimum TEAS Total Score of 60.0 and a minimum reading score of 50.0 are required for the application to be considered for admission to the program.

Required Coursework If required based on placement tests or high school GPA score, complete all required Developmental Studies Courses (DRE 098 & DMA 040) with a grade of “C” or better.

Get a Head Start! Any non‐PTA prefix course required for the Physical Therapist Assistant program can be taken prior to submitting the PTA Program Application. Refer to the Pre-Map on the Physical Therapist Assistant website for the list of courses. Completion of designated courses will also increase your application score. All non-PTA prefix courses must be completed by the end of the first fall semester in the program.

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III. Physical Therapist Assistant Program Application Requirements

Points are earned from the following areas:

1. ATI TEAS Scores 2. Completed Academic Courses 3. Related Work Experience

The points will be recorded on the application form on page 5. Application must be fully completed (typed, not hand‐written) and submitted along with the other supporting documents. All materials including official transcripts must be submitted in a timely fashion to ensure that the application is eligible for review.

A. Complete all requested information in the “Student Identification” section of the Application Form found on page 5.

B. Complete the “Scores” section with the appropriate TEAS, Complete Academic Courses, and Work Experience points.

C. Applicants must complete two required preadmissions activities and include documentation (may be hand-written or typed) with their application. The information should be recorded on the Observation Logs (page 6).The Observation Logs must be complete. Hand-written information must be legible.

Observations

Two observations must be completed in TWO different types of Physical Therapy settings. o Examples of settings in which to perform observations: Outpatient clinics, nursing homes, hospitals,

home health, pediatric clinics, inpatient rehab facility o Note: If you work in a physical therapy facility, you may directly observe a PT or PTA at that facility

as ONE of your observations. Your second observation must be at another facility and setting. o Each observation must be at least SIX HOURS total excluding lunch breaks. o Only observations with a PT or PTA will be accepted. o The applicant is responsible for making contacts and arrangements. o Original signatures must be provided as evidence of the observations.

D. Applicants must also read the Essential Functions document, which provides the functions necessary for the successful completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

This information is provided to help you assess the appropriateness of this career field for you.

To be eligible for admissions, you are required to check the box found on the Application Form (page 5) stating you understand the essential functions needed to be successful in the program.

E. All documentation must be submitted no later than the deadline to ensure the application is eligible for review.

Questions About the Admissions Process?

Contact the Admissions Specialist at healthsciences@cpcc.edu prior to submitting the application.

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IV. Acceptance Into the Program

Students will be ranked in order of highest to lowest points received on the application, with the top scoring students offered acceptance. A maximum of 32 students are accepted into the program each year with 7 alternates. Upon acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant program, students are required to:

Submit results of a drug screen and medical exam at their own expense.

Students must also provide a record of immunizations, show proof of medical insurance and carry CPCC’s student accident insurance.

Submit results of a North Carolina and/or national criminal background check at the end of the first year in the program at their own expense.

Students are required to be certified in first aid and CPR at the end of the first year in the program at their own expense.

The required forms will be discussed at the mandatory Physical Therapist Assistant Orientation session for students who are accepted into the program.

Students accepted into the program will also be asked to read and sign to acknowledge that they have read and understand an Essential Functions statement outlining the essential functions necessary for the completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

After acceptance and enrollment in the program, students are required to take all courses as scheduled and sequenced. This is considered a lockstep sequence program.

BIO 168 must be completed prior to the first fall semester and all other non-PTA courses need to be completed by the end of the first fall semester.

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V. Physical Therapist Assistant Program Application FormStudent Identification

Complete shaded areas with all information currently available

First Name Last Name CPCC Student ID

Street/Apt

City State ZIP

Home Phone Cell Phone CPCC Email

High School/GED Completion Date NOTE: If you have not completed high school or obtained your GED prior to applying, you are not eligible to apply to the PTA program and your application will be declined.

Essential Functions Document Please check the box to the right to indicate that you have reviewed and understand the criteria in the Essential Functions document.

Scores Record scores for Items 1-3 in shaded areas with all information currently available according to the instructions below.

Item Points

Earned Points

Possible

1. TEAS TestScores

Reading Score (Minimum score 50.0)

(each score is multiplied by 0.1 to determine points earned)

(10)

Math Score (10)

Total Score (Minimum score 60.0)

(10)

2. Completed Academic Courses

1. Select one course from each Category that you have completed and received a grade.Only high school AP courses in which theexam was taken for college credit and a score of 3 or greater was received can be counted.

2. Please note, no substitutions may be made. Only courses that have been completed by the application deadline maybe counted and will be verified from yourattached transcripts.

3. All courses must have a grade of “C” or better.

4. Course points computation: A=7 pts; B=4pts; C=2 pts (For AP courses being counted, record the high school AP course grade accordingly)

Category I

ENG 111

(35 points total)

High School AP 11th Grade English (only if AP score of 3 or greater earned on AP English Language & Comp. exam)

Category II

ENG 112, 113, or 114

Category III

MAT 110 or higher

High School AP Calculus or Statistics (only if AP score of 3 or greater earned on AP Calculus AB or BC or AP Statistics exam)

Category IV

BIO 168 (must be completed within 5 yrs of the application)

Category V

BIO 169 (must be completed within 5 yrs of the application)

3. Related Work Experience, If applicableWork experience (either FT or PT if applicable) must have occurred within five years of application under the direction of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant and must be documented by a letter of verification on letterhead from the employer including: • Dates of employment• Type of Employment (Part-time or Full-time) • Job title • Brief description of job responsibilities

• Signature and professional title of the applicant’s supervisor

• Applicant’s supervisor work phone and email address

Physical Therapy Tech, Physical Therapy Aide, or

Rehab Tech employed full-time for a minimum of

six full calendar months

(2)

Physical Therapy Tech, Physical Therapy Aide, or

Rehab Tech employed part-time for a minimum

of six full calendar months

(1)

Total Application Points (67)

To clear all fields, select button to the right. This will erase all of your entries to this form.

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VI. Required Preadmission ActivitiesIt is important that all applicants become familiar with the field of physical therapy in order to make an informed decision to pursue this career. To be considered for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program, you must show evidence of having completed the following activities prior to the application deadline by submitting the appropriate verification.

Observations Please follow directions as listed on page 3, complete the Observation Logs below, and submit with the application.

First Name:

Last Name:

ID

Observation #1:

Observation #2:

Printed Name and Title of observed PT or PTA:

Facility Name: Facility Phone #:

Facility Location:

Type of Facility/Setting: Select from dropdown menu

DATE FROM: TO: HOURS Signature of licensed PT or PTA

Printed Name and Title of observed PT or PTA:

Facility Name: Facility Phone #:

Facility Location:

Type of Facility/Setting: Select from dropdown menu

DATE FROM: TO: HOURS Signature of licensed PT or PTA

To clear all fields, select button to the right. This will erase all of your entries to this form.

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VII. Application Submission

Check Your Application for Completion

1. Type all information on the Program Application Form (page 5) and print.

2. Secure the following documents to the application:

a. Official TEAS scores

b. Verification of Work Experience (if applicable)

c. Documentation of Required Preadmission Activities (pages 6-7)

Please note: Your application will be considered ineligible for review if any required documents or

forms are incomplete or missing.

Official external high school/GED and college transcripts as well as AP exam scores must be

received by Student Records by January 31st. (see page 2)

Submit the Completed Application

Submit on or before the deadline date as follows:

Drop Box

Deposit during standard business hours (Monday-Friday) in the labeled drop box located on the third floor of the Health Careers building on the Central Campus, Room # 3545 (across from the elevators)

Or

Mail to: Admissions Specialist c/o Physical Therapist Assistant

CPCC Central Campus, Belk/Health Careers Bldg PO Box 35009 Charlotte, NC 28235-5009

Mailed applications must be postmarked by application deadline date.

Or

Email to: healthsciences@cpcc.edu

Scan application pages 6-8 and all additional documents to include as an

attachment if emailing.

Questions About the Admissions Process?

Contact the Admissions Specialist at healthsciences@cpcc.edu or schedule an appointment to meet with the Admissions Specialist for this program