Physical Therapist Assistant | ATU Ozark

 
 

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

 

Program Goals

  1. To provide an educational program which admits students using procedures and practices which assure nondiscrimination and equal opportunity
  2. To provide an educational program which prepares students for legal practice as physical therapist assistants
  3. To provide an educational program which is compliant with the accreditation criteria established by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
  4. To provide an educational program which prepares students with the skills necessary to obtain entry-level employment as physical therapist assistants
  5. To provide an educational program which instills the need for continued personal and professional development
  6. To provide an educational program which includes curricular content reflective of current physical therapy practices
  7. To provide an educational program which utilizes contemporary educational methodology to promote student success
  8. To provide an educational program which encourages service to the university and the community in order to improve health awareness

 

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, the student will

  1. Communicate an understanding of treatment goals and intended outcomes as developed by the physical therapist.
  2. Implement selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by a physical therapist in a safe, legal, ethical manner under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
  3. Communicate verbally and non-verbally with the patient, the physical therapist, health care delivery personnel, and others in an effective, appropriate, and capable manner.
  4. Recognize individual and cultural differences and respond appropriately in all aspects of physical therapy services.
  5. Demonstrate conduct that reflects a commitment to meet the expectations of members of society and members of the physical therapy profession.
  6. 6. Perform components of data collection skills essential for implementing the plan of care developed by the physical therapist.
  7. Modify interventions within the plan of care developed by the physical therapist in response to the patient's clinical indications and report the modifications to the supervising physical therapist.
  8. Report any changes in the patient's status to the supervising physical therapist.
  9. Recognize when an intervention within the plan of care developed by the physical therapist should not be provided due to changes in the patient's status and report this to the supervising physical therapist.
  10. Recognize when the direction to perform an intervention is beyond that which is appropriate for a physical therapist assistant and initiates clarification with the supervising physical therapist.
  11. Provide instruction to patients and caregivers in order to achieve outcomes based on the plan of care developed by the supervising physical therapist.
  12. 12. Complete thorough, accurate, logical, concise, timely, legible documentation that follows guidelines and specific documentation formats required by state practice acts, the practice setting, and other regulatory agencies.
  13. Participate in discharge planning and follow-up under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
  14. Provide instruction to other members of the health care team under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
  15. Educate others about the role of the physical therapist assistant.
  16. Participate in the administration, organizational planning, and operation of physical therapy services.
  17. Demonstrate an awareness of social responsibility, citizenship, and advocacy.
  18. Demonstrate a commitment to meeting the needs of the patients and consumers.
  19. Identify career development and lifelong learning opportunities.
  20. Recognize the role of the physical therapist assistant in the clinical education of physical therapist assistant students.