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Prerequisites
To be eligible for admission to the Physical Therapy Internship
Program, you must be currently enrolled in an accredited physical
therapy education program.
Admission to the internship program is prearranged by the academic
coordinator from your college or university.
There are two levels of practice in physical therapy: A physical
therapist and a physical therapist assistant. To prepare for a career
as a physical therapist, you must complete a professional education
program accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). You
may choose:
To become a physical therapist assistant, you must complete a two-year
associate degree educational program accredited by CAPTE.
All courses of study require a period of supervised clinical experience
and successful completion of a national examination. Those who pass
the test are awarded the title of physical therapist or physical
therapist assistant.
Physical therapy programs are available in colleges, universities,
medical schools and vocational, technical, or community colleges
throughout the country. There are no on-the-job training programs.
Because entrance requirements, prerequisites and program components
differ from school to school, it is important to get specific information
from those programs to which you are interested in applying.
To receive a current list of physical therapy education programs,
you may contact the American Physical
Therapy Association at (800) 999-APTA (2782).
Policies and Responsibilities
The following Mayo School of Health Sciences' policies affect applications
and admissions to its programs:
English fluency
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential to succeed
in the program and to ensure patient safety. If English is a second
language, you must be able to demonstrate fluency. Satisfactory
performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination
or the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency must be documented
as proof of fluency. Your test results must be less than two years
old.
Immunization record
For the protection of patients, students and employees, and in
compliance with state regulations, Mayo Clinic requires students
to be properly immunized. You must show proof of the following
immunizations before you begin a program at Mayo School of Health
Sciences:
- Tuberculin test in the past six months
- Varicella, rubella and rubeola immunity
- Up-to-date diphtheria and tetanus shots
- Hepatitis B vaccination or signed declaration
Documentation of vaccinations must be provided to Mayo Employee
Health Service prior to the start of class.
Health status
Prospective students will undergo a health review at Mayo Clinic
and will have the opportunity to update or receive the required
tests and immunizations cited above. More information about the
review will be provided after you have been offered a program
appointment. Appointment to the program depends upon successful
completion of the health review.
Medical insurance
Students must have medical insurance coverage during their program.
Student medical insurance can be purchased through Mayo Clinic.
Evidence of medical coverage must be provided when your educational
program begins.
Background check
Prospective students must pass a criminal background check and/or
drug screening required by state laws, prior to enrollment to
Mayo School of Health Sciences.
Student responsibilities
Mayo School of Health Sciences' students are expected to attend
all scheduled classes, examinations and assigned clinical rotations
unless absence is approved.
You must achieve a passing grade on the comprehensive examination,
that you will take near the end of the second year of the program.
Students are required to exhibit professional and ethical conduct
at all times.
Equal opportunity
Mayo School of Health Sciences upholds all federal and state
laws that preclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age,
religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation,
disabilities or veteran’s status.
Technical Standards
Mayo School of Health Sciences accepts students who are highly qualified
for its programs. To be considered for admittance you should exhibit
strong qualifications for the health profession you wish to pursue.
Applicants to programs must possess the following general qualities:
- Critical thinking skills
- Sound judgment
- Emotional stability and maturity
- Empathy for others
- Physical and mental stamina
- Ability to learn and function in a variety of
settings
In addition to these responsibilities, as a physical therapist
you will be required to:
- Work with arms above shoulders occasionally.
- Have adequate use of legs, arms, hands and fingers.
- Lift more than 50 pounds routinely.
- Push and pull, bend and stoop, and kneel or
squat routinely.
- Stand 80 percent of the time.
- Work compassionately with patients.
- Assist patients on and off equipment from wheelchairs
or carts.
- Effectively write and speak to patients and
staff.
- Hear and see clearly.
- Work weekends and holidays.
Most full-time physical therapists work a 40-hour week, which may
include some evenings and weekends. The job can be physically demanding
because therapists often have to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift and
stand for long periods. In addition, physical therapists move heavy
equipment and lift patients or help them turn, stand or walk.
You must be able to perform the essential functions of the profession
and meet the standards of the curriculum. Students seeking exceptions
to these standards or reasonable accommodations should initiate
their request with the program’s director.
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