Rehabilitation Sciences

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Welcome Letter

  

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Policies, Procedures, and Student Responsibilities

1. Admissions decisions are made independent of an applicant's campus preference. A primary factor in the assignment of students to each campus will be the student's stated campus preference, with the recognition that not all students can be placed at their preferred campus. Other factors, including DPT program needs, will also be taken into account to promote equitable distribution of students to all campuses.
2. The SHP acceptance letter and contract of admission will designate the student's campus assignment.
3. The signature of the applicant accepting admission to the DPT program signifies knowledge and acceptance of this policy and the campus assignment for that applicant.
4. A student who is granted a leave of absence or deferral of admission will normally return to the campus to which he or she was assigned upon admission.
5. When a student withdraws from the program, he or she must reapply and meet all admissions requirements at the time of re-application. Previous campus assignments will be void and the student will be considered for campus assignment in the same manner as other applicants.
6. Students may request campus reassignment only after enrollment and registration for classes during the first Summer semester session of matriculation.
7. The program director and/or the DPT Admissions Committee will consider the student's request and inform the student in writing of a decision within 10 working days. Campus reassignment will only be considered under extraordinary circumstances after a student is enrolled.
8. The student has the right to appeal the decision to the chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences.

1. Commitment to Learning – The ability to self-assess, self-correct, and self-direct; to identify needs and sources of learning; and to continually seek new knowledge and understanding.
2. Interpersonal Skills – The ability to interact effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals, and the community and to deal effectively with cultural and ethnic diversity issues.
3. Communication Skills – The ability to communicate effectively (i.e., speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes.
4. Effective Use of Time and Resources – The ability to obtain the maximum benefit from a minimum investment of time and resources.
5. Use of Constructive Feedback – The ability to identify sources of and seek out feedback and to effectively use and provide feedback for improving personal interaction.
6. Problem-Solving – The ability to recognize and define problems, analyze data, develop and implement solutions, and evaluate outcomes.
7. Professionalism – The ability to exhibit appropriate professional conduct and to represent the profession effectively.
8. Responsibility – The ability to fulfill commitments and to be accountable for actions and outcomes.
9. Critical Thinking – The ability to question logically; to identify, generate, and evaluate elements of logical argument; to recognize and differentiate facts, illusions, assumptions, and hidden assumptions; and to distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant.
10. Stress Management – The ability to identify sources of stress and to develop effective coping behaviors.

• must have successfully completed a facility-mandated research training program;
• be a designated faculty member in the SHP who is responsible for supervising student research;
• obtain approval for the student research proposal by the department chair and the Institutional Review Board (IRB);
• establish a budget for the project (to be paid from course fees);
• ensure that the budget for the project is reviewed by the program director and approved by the department chair;
• approve all purchases. Since student research may in some cases be funded in part through course fees, the Principal Investigator will ensure that when such funds are used to support student research activity, only department purchasing cards or purchase orders are used. Expenditures must cover only authorized expenses, and direct reimbursement of student research activities is not authorized;
• ensure research integrity;
• ensure that there is neither a conflict of interest nor inappropriate research activity sponsored with the resources of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, as defined under TTUHSC Operating Policies.

• must have successfully completed IRB-mandated research training program;
• under the supervision of the Principal Investigator: (i) select the research activity and (ii) develop a proposal and budget;
• initiate and conduct such activity in a professional manner;
• are accountable and responsible for any expenditures exceeding the budgeted funds;
• are expected to disseminate the results in an appropriate scholarly manner.
  
  

• ensure that course research requirements are in compliance with the IRB policies/procedures and accreditation standards;
• ensure that the Principal Investigator understands the appropriate use of research funding from sources such as course fees, grants, etc.
  
  

1. If a student perceives a problem in his or her interactions with an instructor, or with the instructor’s assessment of the student’s academic performance, the student may initiate a formal process aimed at resolving the problem, with the understanding that the student represents only himself or herself, and does not represent a group of students or the entire class.
   
2. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule an appointment with the instructor. The student will meet privately with the instructor (or by phone if student is at another campus) to discuss the problem(s). Upon request for an appointment, the instructor will make every effort to meet with the student in a timely manner. The "Problem Solving Session Worksheet" (see below) is to be completed by the student and brought to the appointment. The student completes the appropriate sections of the worksheet. The remaining parts of the form will be completed by the instructor during the meeting. The instructor and the student will sign the form and the student will receive a copy of the completed form.

• If a resolution is agreed upon by the instructor and the student, the instructor documents on the form the conditions by which the problem was resolved. The matter is considered to be resolved at this point.
• If either party does not abide by the conditions of the resolution, the instructor or student are to contact the program director. If the program director is the instructor, the department chair will be notified.
• If the student believes the concern has not been resolved at the meeting with the instructor, or that the instructor has not met with the student within an appropriate time frame, then the student should schedule a meeting with the program director to discuss the issue. It will be the student's responsibility to make the appointment with the program director. The program director has the discretion of inviting the instructor to the meeting with the student. A signed "Problem Solving" worksheet must be provided by the student to the program director before or during the meeting, in order to document that the process outlined above has been followed. After the program director meets with the student, the program director will meet with the instructor to review the concerns. The program director will make every effort to resolve the problem(s) in a fair and judicious manner. The substantive contents of these meetings will be documented in writing by the program director.

Problem Solving Session Worksheet

Appointment Date: _______________

Student name: ______________________     Instructor name: ______________________

Prior to the appointment, the student completes sections 1 and 2 of this worksheet. Sections 3 and 4 are completed by the instructor during the meeting.

1. Student’s statement of problem (to be filled in by student):
   
   
   
   
2. Student’s suggested solution for the problem (to be filled in by student):
   
   
   
   
3. Instructor’s comments (to be filled in by instructor):
   
   
   
   
4. Plan for resolution. Include timeline, goals, etc., as appropriate (to be filled in by instructor):

In signing this form, the student acknowledges that a meeting with the instructor has occurred and the above information was discussed. The student signature does not necessarily indicate that the student agrees with the resolution proposed by the instructor. The student is to be provided a copy of this completed form.

______________________________              ___________

Student signature                                                  Date

Student Handbook Signature Page

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professions 

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Student Handbook, School of Health Professions (SHP), and the TTUHSC Student Handbook are important documents intended to help you become acquainted with University, School and Departmental academic and non-academic policies that you are required to follow. You are also subject to TTUHSC Operating Policies and Procedures. These materials are intended for informational purposes only and are not to be considered a contract, express or implied. The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences in the SHP and TTUHSC reserve the right and prerogative to change any statement in the student handbooks or their policies at any time without prior notice. The current edition of the handbooks and Operating Policies and Procedures are available on the TTUHSC and SHP websites. You are responsible for periodically checking on-line for any revisions to the handbooks.

Please read the following statements and sign below.

• I am aware that the TTUHSC Student Handbook: Code of Professional Conduct is available at: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/student-affairs/handbook.aspx

• I am aware that the School of Health Professions Student Handbook is available on the School of Health Professions website at:  https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/current/handbooks.aspx 

• I am aware that the School of Health Professions Student Policies are available on the School of Health Professions website at: https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/current/policies.aspx 

• I am aware that the TTUHSC Operating Policies and Procedures are available on the TTUHSC website at: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/administration/operating-policies/ 

• I understand that the policies, rules and benefits described in these handbooks are subject to change at the discretion of the Department, School and/or University at any time and that it is my responsibility to check said websites periodically for revisions. I further understand that if a matter that is addressed by one of the handbooks arises; the handbooks in effect at the time the matter arises will govern resolution.

• I am aware that during the course of my enrollment, confidential information may be made available to me (e.g., patient files, student information, and other related data). I understand that this information must not be disseminated or used outside of the department premises. I agree to hold as strictly confidential any and all information regarding patients and all other information made confidential by law or TTUHSC policy to which I have access or obtain as a student, representative or affiliate of TTUHSC. My signature below acknowledges I do understand that release of confidential information may be a cause of dismissal from the SHP or further action/liability.

• I am aware of the following:
  

1. The use of unauthorized written or oral references during examinations (cheating) is prohibited. This applies to all forms of electronic communication (e-mail, instant messaging, etc.) for web-based examinations.
2. The inadequate citation of references or assistance on papers or class presentations (plagiarism) is prohibited.
3. Habitual tardiness, unexcused absences and lack of participation in class activities is prohibited.
4. Students are expected to behave in accordance with the Code of Ethics as set forth by the School of Health Professions and respective programs/professional organizations in an actual clinical setting or in a simulated or demonstration setting in the classroom.
5. Students are expected to comply with all rules and regulations of the clinical facilities to which they are assigned.

• I am aware that Information Technology (IT) resources at TTUHSC are owned by the State of Texas and administered by the Information Technology Division. TTUHSC will provide access to appropriate central and campus computing resources, and to their attached networks to all members of the TTUHSC community. Users are responsible for managing their use of IT resources and are accountable for their actions relating to information technology security. Details regarding computing ethics and user responsibilities may be found at: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/administration/documents/ops/op56/op5601.pdf 

• I agree that my signature below indicates that I understand the above statements and acknowledge my responsibility to read the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Student Handbook, the School of Health Professions Student Policies and the TTUHSC Student Handbook, and to be familiar with their contents by accessing the aforementioned websites.

• I am aware that entry-level professional programs are accredited by individual accrediting agencies. I am also aware that information related to accreditation standards, compliance, and other information, including information about filing a complaint, can be found on the accrediting agency's website.

___________________________                                ______________
Student Signature                                                                 Date