Requirements of Students within the PTA Program

The program will need to comply with the New Mexico Department of Health Regulations (section 29-17-2 to 29-17-5, NMSA 1978 [9/1/98]): Caregivers Criminal History Screening Act. This will require Physical Therapist Assistant students to have a NATIONWIDE CRIMINAL HISTORY SCREENING. When screening becomes necessary, it will be done through the use of fingerprints reviewed by the Department of Public Safety and submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Directions for obtaining this clearance will be available from the Allied Health Department.

Allied Health students must comply with both New Mexico law and clinical facility requirements related to immunization and testing. Note: Students should not delay completing their immunizations; some take up to 4-6 months to complete. Students must follow the posted immunization schedules. The minimum time intervals must be met. Travel or accelerated schedules are NOT acceptable to the Allied Health Students.     

It is recommended that applicants review the immunization requirements prior to application.

Allied Health Immunization Requrements

Provide proof of personal health insurance upon admittance.

Attain liability insurance prior to first Clinical Affiliation.

Provide proof of American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers (CPR and AED).

Clinical sites may at times require a drug screening; as a student in the facility one must comply with the request.

Be able to lift up to 50 pounds repetitively and frequently using appropriate body mechanics for safety of self and patient/client.

Be able to stand for up to 8 hours.

Be able to walk over a variety of surfaces up to 8 hours/day.

Be able to transfer patients using good body mechanics.

Be able to tolerate prolonged standing, stooping, squatting, bending, pushing, and pulling.

Be able to read, write, and interpret both written and verbal communication at a level equal to a high school graduate on entry and college graduate at the end of the program.

Be able to perform complex motor skills necessary to provide therapeutic intervention (exercise, gait, transfers, application of passive modalities etc.) and emergency treatment to patients.

Demonstrate manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, fine and gross motor skills, and tactile abilities to perform procedures as directed by the physical therapist and in accordance with the treatment, measurement, and observational skills expected in the field of physical therapy.

Demonstrate visual acuity and auditory ability to assess the condition of a patient and administer safe and effective patient care.

Be able to communicate in a clear, understandable manner with minimal misinterpretation from the listener.

Be able to understand, interpret, and react to verbal and written communication received from personal interactions reflective of ethnic, gender, age and socioeconomic diversity.

Be able to cope with stress and a changing educational and working environment, with appropriate behaviors.

Be able to problem solve and adjust to a changing patient care environment.

Any physical impairment causing a change in student’s ability to perform the essential functions must be brought to the attention of the Program Director or the ACCE.

Student Travel Expectations for Clinical Education

Students may be expected to attend clinical education in areas up to 260 miles away from Clovis New Mexico.