Classroom Expectations
Travel Related to Non-Clinical Courses
Attendance
The PTA Program curriculum can be challenging and, therefore, it is expected that students will attend all scheduled class and laboratory meetings. Attendance and tardiness policies are clearly spelled out in all course syllabi. Because there is a high correlation between classroom attendance and academic success, it is strongly encouraged that students attend all regularly scheduled class meetings. The student is directly responsible to the appropriate lecture or laboratory instructor if the student is tardy or absent and is responsible for any content missed, assignments, etc. The course syllabi contain information necessary to success in the class including a listing of required and recommended texts, materials and equipment, testing and grading information, goals and objectives of the course, and other required course learning experiences. In the event of any absence, the student is responsible for completing a Class Absence Remediation Form and completing assignments as required in order to take written or practical examinations. Excessive absences may result in the student’s withdrawal from the program.
Generally, the requirements for laboratory attendance are the same as for lecture courses, with specific details about the laboratory experiences included in each syllabus. There are three notable exceptions:
1. Students are required to have available, at all laboratory sessions, appropriate clothing to reveal the legs, arms, and torso. Male students must have shorts and may be required to remove their shirt. Female students must have shorts and a halter top or sports bra. All students may be expected to wear hospital gowns at times.
2. Laboratory practical examinations may or may not be given during the regularly scheduled class time. Therefore, students may be required to arrive early, stay late, or take the practical examination on a day other than the regularly scheduled class time.
3. Students are required to inform the course instructor if they are unable to attend a practical examination twenty-four hours prior to the examination. The practical examination may be re-scheduled only with a valid excuse and only at the discretion of the instructor. If the student fails to complete the examination at the regularly scheduled or agreed upon time, the student may receive a score of zero (“0”) percent for the examination, at the discretion of the instructor.
Students enrolled in the Somerset Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program are responsible for their educational experience and assumption of associated responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to: 1) educating one’s self of the requirements of the program; 2) educating one’s self about the requirements of each course, as delineated in the course syllabus, and completing all coursework within the proper time frame; and 3) conducting one’s self as a professional, both on the college campus and in the clinical setting.
Appropriate attire for classroom activities is casual dress.
Students applying to the PTA Program should be aware of the time and energy commitment required to successfully complete the program.
Study Habits
It is expected that for every one hour of time spent in the classroom, the student will devote at minimum an additional three hours of study time outside the classroom. Students enrolled in the PTA Program are expected to assume responsibility for their own educational experience. The program encourages peer study groups and each first-year student is paired with a second-year student who acts as their mentor. The program has a formal student retention plan and program faculty members provide individual and small group tutoring sessions as requested. Students enrolled in general education courses may also benefit from SCC’s tutoring services through the STAR Center. To learn more about SCC’s STAR Center, click here.
Travel Related to Non-Clinical Courses
A number of PTA courses require that students travel to off-campus destinations to allow for improved learning experiences. Some are located in Somerset, but students may also be required to travel to other areas, some as far away as Lexington. Students applying to the program should be aware that they are responsible for their own travel costs and assume all liability associated with travel while in the program. All students enrolled in the program are required to sign a waiver to this effect. The program may or may not provide transportation to these off-campus destinations. The student is, again, responsible for all costs associated with such experiences, including, but not limited to the costs of travel, housing and emergency care related to either travel or injuries that may occur at the healthcare facility. Because students assume all personal liability while in the program, it is highly recommended that all students obtain health insurance and maintain it throughout the duration of the program.
Required Technical Standards
Individuals applying to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program must also meet the following technical standards, as spelled out in the KCTCS Rules of the Senate:
- Sufficient visual acuity, such as observations necessary for administering patient care and for reading equipment gauges and settings used in treatments;
- Sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication and to execute patient care through the use of monitoring devices;
- Sufficient strength and gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement patient care skills, such as manipulation of equipment and positioning and lifting of patients; and
- Sufficient communication skills (speech, reading, writing) to interact with individuals and to communicate effectively, as may be in the patient’s interest; and.
- Sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to implement the plan of care.
All students admitted to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program are required to sign a waiver of understanding with regards to these technical standards / essential functions. Students admitted to the program who fail to meet the these technical standards may be required to withdraw from the program if the limitation poses a potential safety risk to the student, other students, members of the faculty, patients, or others.
Students with emotional and/or physical limitations which prevent their full participation in some, but not all, therapeutic learning activities, will be referred to the ADA Coordinator. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the course instructor of necessary special accommodations to improve the student’s learning potential prior to the learning activity so that the instructor may, at his/her discretion, arrange for alternative learning experiences. If necessary, other professionals including counselors, tutors, and other professionals, may be consulted before the course instructor makes the decision with regards to the final action regarding the learning activity.
Students who have questions related to disability services may click here to learn more about them.
Informed Consent
Prospective students and students newly admitted to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program should know that, in order to perform many learning activities, it is necessary and traditional that students and/or academic and clinical faculty perform therapeutic activities on other students and/or faculty. As with any therapeutic activity, there are inherent risks associated with performing or receiving these activities.
