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Education - Physical Therapist Assistant
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Health Professions - Physical Therapist Assistant - Essential Abilities
Expectations for Hands-On Learning
The PTA program prepares students for direct patient care through web-based lectures and hands-on learning.
- Lecture classes are delivered on-line. Students must able to use computing technology and the internet to meet expectations for participation in the virtual classroom.
- Laboratory classes include six to eight consecutive hours. Program students practice hands-on techniques with instructors and classmates at a level demonstrated by the instructor(s). Outside of class, students should expect to repeatedly practice techniques to achieve learning outcomes
If you are interested in applying to the program, 25 hours of PT/PTA observation in the workplace is required. Observation hours provide students interested in the PTA career with a general idea of abilities required to work in the profession.
All students are encouraged to seek additional information about abilities and reasonable accommodations.
There are several resources which can provide the prospective student with additional information about skills required to work as a PTA:
- American Physical Therapy Association : http://www.apta.org
- Career One Stop (U.S. Department of Labor
- LCC Disability Resources: http://2011sitearchive.lanecc.edu/disability/aboutus.htm
- Performance Expectations for Entry Level PTA Graduate
- Behavioral Expectations for Entry Level PTA Graduate
Performance Expectations
1.0 Intervention
1.1 Review the plan of care established by the physical therapist prior to initiating patient/client intervention.
1.2 Provide safe interventions as directed in the plan of care and supervised by the physical therapist.
1.3 Provide effective instruction to the patient/client and others to achieve the goals and outcomes as described in the plan of care.
1.4 Collect data to quantify the patient’s/client’s response to interventions as directed and supervised by the physical therapist.
1.5 Progress the patient/client interventions through the plan of care.
1.6 Complete documentation that follows professional guidelines, health care system, and physical therapy facility policies.
1.7 Respond effectively to patient/client and environmental emergencies in the work setting.
2.0 Communication
2.1 Expressively and receptively communicate in a culturally competent manner with physical therapists, patients/clients, family members, caregivers, other health care providers, students, interdisciplinary team members, administrators, payers, and consumers.
3.0 Education
3.1 Effectively educate others using teaching methods commensurate with the needs of the learners.
3.2 Educate others about the role of the physical therapist assistant.
4.0 Resource Management (human, fiscal, systems
4.1 Utilize human and material institution-based resources and services to provide high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective physical therapy services.
4.2 Comply with facility procedures and payer regulations consistent with the health care delivery system and the practice setting.
5.0 Career Development
5.1 Participate in learning and development activities to ensure continued competence.
5.2 Participate in and respond to self-assessment
Behavioral Expectations
6.0 Accountability
6.1 Adhere to federal and state legal practice standards and institutional regulations related to patient/client care and fiscal management.
6.2 Act in a manner consistent with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant and Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant.
6.3 Change behavior in response to understanding the consequences (positive and negative) of the physical therapist assistant’s actions.
7.0 Altruism
7.1 Place patient’s/client’s needs above the physical therapist assistant’s self interests.
8.0 Compassion and Caring
8.1 Exhibit compassion, caring, and empathy in providing services to patients/clients.
8.2 Promote active involvement of the patient/client in his or her care.
9.0 Cultural Competence
9.1 Identify, respect, and act with consideration for the patient’s/client’s differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs in all physical therapy activities.
10.0 Duty
10.1 Demonstrate behaviors, conduct, actions, attitudes, and values consistent with the roles, responsibilities, and tasks of the physical therapist assistant.
10.2 Support and participate in organizations and efforts that promote physical therapy.
11.0 Integrity
11.1 Demonstrate integrity in all interactions with patients/clients, family members, caregivers, supervising physical therapists, coworkers, other health care providers, students, other consumers, employers, and payers.
12.0 Social Responsibility
12.1 Value and support the physical therapy profession in society.
12.2 Demonstrate citizenship
1Reference: A Normative Model of Physical Therapist Assistant Education: Version 2007. APTA.
