Accepted Student Requirements

All accepted students will be required to have a certificate for AIDS 500 prior to entrance into the clinical portion of the program. This certificate can be obtained from the Health Sciences Institute at 321-433-7745. 

All accepted students will be required to have a current American Heart Association course "BLS for Health Care Providers" CPR certification prior to entrance into the clinical portion of the program.

Criminal History Information Request and drug screening - Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Complete and return the Physical Examination Form along with immunizations documented based on the timeline in the acceptance packet.

Physical Therapist Assistants use cognitive, affective, sensory and psycho-motor domains in the performance of duties as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. Students in this program are held to the standards that guide physical therapy practice when participating in clinical experiences. Thus, performance standards have been developed which apply to all Physical Therapist Assistant courses in the EFSC Physical Therapist Assistant program. Students should personally determine whether they are able to comply with each of the standards.

Students who believe reasonable accommodations would allow them to meet the following standards should speak to the Student Access for Improved Learning (SAIL) at EFSC. Determination will be made on an individual basis as to whether accommodations may be reasonably made. Students with disabilities are highly encouraged to work closely with SAIL office  to determine their appropriate course of action.

Affective Domain
• Interpersonal Relationships: Must be able to interact meaningfully with individuals, families and groups as well as maintain patient confidentiality.
• Socio-Cultural Sensitivity: Must be able to interact on a personal, intimate, and professional level with persons from all walks of life.
• Communication: Must have the potential to communicate effectively with health care team, clients and families utilizing verbal, nonverbal and written communication.

Cognitive Domain
• Computational Skills: Must have the cognitive ability to accurately calculate measurements.
• Language: Must be able to read, follow written and verbal instructions and write using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Critical Thinking: Must be able to display sound clinical judgment, reasoning, discernment and decision-making abilities, even under extreme stress.

Psycho-Motor Domain
• Gross Motor Skills: Must have gross motor skills sufficient to operate equipment, navigate hallways, stairways and client rooms, perform patient transfers, ambulation and patient positioning using vary levels of assistance. The physical therapist assistant must also be able to utilize proper body mechanics to assist with patient techniques which may include: stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching and handling.
• Fine Motor Skills: Must have fine motor skills sufficient to perform specific Physical Therapist Assistant duties including the manipulation and calibration of equipment.
• Endurance: Must have stamina sufficient for sustained physically demanding activities such as patient transfers as well as prolonged sitting, standing and walking.

Sensory Domain
• Tactile Abilities: Must be able to perform physical assessments and procedures which require touch.
• Visual Abilities: Must have adequate distance, close and peripheral vision, be able to identify colors and patterns, and have adequate depth perception to assist in observation of patient condition in response to treatment.
• Hearing Abilities: Must have hearing adequate for assessments and avoidance of danger for self and patients.

In addition, to the above-identified standards, physical therapist assistants and physical therapist assistant students must also be able to:
• Tolerate tight, small places, face masks and other protective gear
• Endure exposure to Latex, bleach and strong cleaning agents
• Function effectively during sustained stressful situations
• Adapt to duty times during nights and weekends when necessary
• Navigate the aquatic environment 

All students who are registered in a Health Sciences program are covered by Allied Health Liability Insurance and also covered by Education/Training Student Accident Insurance through EFSC. The cost of this insurance coverage is included in course fees and it is charged once every twelve months.