It is the policy of Baylor College of Medicine–School of Health Professions-Orthotics & Prosthetics Program that no person shall be denied admission to the school or awarded a degree from the school on the basis of any disability, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, provided that the person demonstrates ability to meet the minimum standards set forth herein. Baylor College of Medicine–School of Health Professions-Orthotics & Prosthetics will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, provided that the standards required by the school of all graduates and the integrity of the school’s curriculum are upheld. Mastery of essential skills is required of all students.
These standards are developed as criteria to achieve the Master of Science degree in preparation for practice as an Orthotist & Prosthetist. The faculty is equally cognizant of its responsibilities to patient models who are a part of the educational process and to future patient who will entrust their welfare and orthotic & prosthetic needs to graduates of our Program. The safety of the patient, on whom the clinical education process is largely focused, has been given a primary consideration in developing these standards. Therefore, the faculty must carefully consider the personal and emotional characteristics, motivation, industry, maturity, resourcefulness, and personal health of the aspiring health care professional.
Abilities and Skills Requisite for Orthotist & Prosthetist - A candidate for the Master of Science degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics must have abilities and skills in six essential areas: Acquisition of information, Communication, Motor Skill, Intellectual Skill, Behavior and Character, and Ethics. Technological compensation can be made for disabilities in certain of these areas, but a candidate must be able to perform certain basic functions in a reasonably independent manner. The use of a trained intermediary to observe or interpret information or to perform procedures is deemed to compromise the essential function of the health care professional and may jeopardize the safety of the patient.
Baylor College of Medicine-School of Health Professionals–Orthotics & Prosthetics Program provides the following sample description/examples of technical standards to inform incoming and enrolled students of the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of the Orthotics & Prosthetics curriculum and provide effective and safe health care. To matriculate (enroll) the candidate must meet technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, and maintain related satisfactorily demonstration of these standards for duration of the program.
Candidates should be able to perform the following technical standards:
Acquisition of Information
The candidate must be able to:
Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in O&P courses such as lecture, group, lab and physical demonstrations. Acquire information from written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches and data retrieval). Identify information presented in images from paper, Power Points, and videos. Recognize and assess patient changes in mood, activity, cognition, verbal and non- verbal communication. Observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand.
Communication
The candidate must be able to:
Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families. Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors and all members of the healthcare team during practicum and other learning experiences. Accurately elicit information, including a medical history and other information, to adequately and effectively evaluate a client’s or patient’s condition including, verbal and non-verbal communication.
Motor Skills
The candidate must:
Possess psychomotor skills necessary to perform or assist with procedures, transfers, donning and doffing orthotic/prosthetic devices. Practice in a safe manner and appropriately provide care during transfers and weight-bearing activities. Be able to lift up to 50 pounds, operate power tools safely, and manipulate materials and components to fashion devices for patient use. Provide life support procedures including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and universal precautions against contamination.
Intellectual Skill
The candidate must be able to:
Use reason, analysis, calculations, problem solving, critical thinking, synthesis, self-evaluation and other learning skills to acquire knowledge, comprehend and synthesize complex concepts. Independently access and interpret medical histories or files. Identify significant findings from history and Physical Exam. Provide a reasoned explanation for likely diagnoses and prescribed therapies and orthotic & prosthetic devices. Recall and retain information in an efficient and timely manner. Incorporate new information from peers, teaches, and literature in formulating diagnoses and plans. Identify and communicate knowledge to others when indicated, ask for help when needed, and make proper judgments as to whether a task can or cannot be carried out alone.
Behavioral -Character
The candidate must possess the emotional health required:
To maintain mature, sensitive effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances. For full utilization of their intellectual abilities. For the exercise of good judgment. For the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients. To tolerate physically taxing workloads. To accept constructive correction and respond by appropriate behavior modification. To use supervision appropriately and act independently when indicated. To function under stress and adapt to changing environments inherent to the classroom and practice settings with or without accommodations. To demonstrate personal and professional self-control as well as tactfulness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, integrity, empathy, and respect.
Ethics
The candidate must demonstrate professional demeanor and behavior and must perform in an ethical manner in all interactions with peers, faculty, staff, and patients.
Baylor College of Medicine-School of Health Professionals–Orthotics & Prosthetics Program wishes to ensure that access to its facilities and program are available to students with disabilities. The program provides reasonable accommodations to students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments ACT (ADAAA) of 2008, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instructional activity, facility, program or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in all student activities. To be eligible for accommodations, a student must have a documented disability as defined by the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The ADA, the ADAAA and Section 504 all define disability as (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or (c) being regarded as having such a condition.
Decisions regarding reasonable accommodation are determined on a case by case basis taking into consideration each student’s disability-related needs, disability documentation, and program requirements. The Orthotics & Prosthetics Program will make every effort to work with students with disabilities to accommodate their disability-related needs. The Orthotics & Prosthetics pProgram is not required to provide accommodations that fundamentally alter or waive essential program requirements.
Since the treatment of patients is an essential part of the educational program, the health and safety of those patients must be protected as a first priority.
Candidates who, after review of the technical standards, determine that they require accommodation to fully engage in the program, should contact the Office of Student Disability Services to confidentially discuss their accommodation needs. Given the clinical/lab nature of the Orthotics & Prosthetics Program additional time may be needed to implement accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged.
