PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT
Program Goals
- To provide an educational program which admits students using procedures and practices
which assure nondiscrimination and equal opportunity
- To provide an educational program which prepares students for legal practice as physical
therapist assistants
- To provide an educational program which is compliant with the accreditation criteria
established by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
- To provide an educational program which prepares students with the skills necessary
to obtain entry-level employment as physical therapist assistants
- To provide an educational program which instills the need for continued personal and
professional development
- To provide an educational program which includes curricular content reflective of
current physical therapy practices
- To provide an educational program which utilizes contemporary educational methodology
to promote student success
- 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
- Communicate an understanding of treatment goals and intended outcomes as developed
by the physical therapist.
- 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.
- Communicate verbally and non-verbally with the patient, the physical therapist, health
care delivery personnel, and others in an effective, appropriate, and capable manner.
- Recognize individual and cultural differences and respond appropriately in all aspects
of physical therapy services.
- Demonstrate conduct that reflects a commitment to meet the expectations of members
of society and members of the physical therapy profession.
- 6. Perform components of data collection skills essential for implementing the plan
of care developed by the physical therapist.
- 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.
- Report any changes in the patient's status to the supervising physical therapist.
- 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.
- 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.
- Provide instruction to patients and caregivers in order to achieve outcomes based
on the plan of care developed by the supervising physical therapist.
- 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.
- Participate in discharge planning and follow-up under the direction and supervision
of the physical therapist.
- Provide instruction to other members of the health care team under the direction and
supervision of the physical therapist.
- Educate others about the role of the physical therapist assistant.
- Participate in the administration, organizational planning, and operation of physical
therapy services.
- Demonstrate an awareness of social responsibility, citizenship, and advocacy.
- Demonstrate a commitment to meeting the needs of the patients and consumers.
- Identify career development and lifelong learning opportunities.
- Recognize the role of the physical therapist assistant in the clinical education of
physical therapist assistant students.