Physical Therapist Assistant Program Information

Examples of Technical Standards

· Collect, identify, assess question and integrate information and make decisions.

· Read and comprehend relevant information in textbooks, medical records and peer reviewed professional literature.

· Identify cause/effect relationships in the provision of health care.

· Identify patient problems and adjust patient interventions appropriately under the plan of care.

· Integrates information from all courses to provide holistic, patient-centered care.

· Respond calmly and effectively to emergencies.

· Utilize universal precautions for all patients. 

· Use of effective teaching, learning and test taking strategies.

The ability to collaboratively work with all peers and program academic and clinical faculty in the classroom, lab and clinical setting.

The ability to interact effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals, and the community in a culturally aware manner.

· Work collaboratively with all peers, academic and clinical faculty, staff, clinicians and patients in classroom, lab and clinical settings.

· Embody the spirit of cooperation and collegiality, employing basic conflict management skills, as situations require.

· Establish positive and supportive rapport with patients/clients and colleagues.

· Participate in all lab situations to experience both clinician and patient roles, receiving and communicating empathy.

· Respect differences in personality, lifestyle and learning styles during interactions with all persons.

· Recognize the non-verbal and paraverbal communication and emotions that others bring to professional interactions. 

· Establish unconditional positive regard and effective/harmonious relationships in diverse settings, with diverse patient/clients and colleagues.

· Respond appropriately to stressful environments or during impending deadlines.

· Display maturity, good judgement, sensitivity, and emotional stability when in academic, clinical, community and professional settings.

· Manage heavy academic schedules and deadlines.

· Concentrate on professional duties without distraction in all settings.

· Set priorities and perform all aspects of physical therapy services in fast-[aced academic and clinical situations.

· Cope effectively with psychosocial issues involving illness, disability and death without hindering effective performance of duties.

· Maintain balance between professional and personal life.

· Communicate effectively using verbal, non-verbal and paraverbal forms of communication, monitor impact of proxemics in communication and utilize appropriate written formats with faculty, peers, patients/clients, families and healthcare workers for a variety of purposes.

· Communicate collaboratively in classroom, lab and clinical settings with both individuals and in groups; maintain open and constructive communication.

· Describe and teach physical therapy procedures in verbal, non-verbal and written format.

· Give directions to patients/clients and family members.

· Demonstrate active listening skills. Recognize, interpret and respond to non-verbal behavior of self and others.

· Answer questions to the satisfaction of patients/clients, co-workers, physicians and other healthcare providers.

· Recognize that alternative communication methods with patient/client may be required (i.e., interpreter, language line, communication board).

· Keep accurate logs and records of treatment procedures and charges using appropriate medical terminology, correct spelling and grammar.

· Record of treatment in written or electronic format is objective, persuasive and explanatory in a logical, organized format.

· Execute the movement and skills required for safe and effective physical therapy treatment.

· Demonstrate adequate coordination, balance, speed and agility to assist and safely mange patients on level and uneven terrain.

· Demonstrate and perform exercise programs and functional activities required of established plans of care by the physical therapist without injuring self or others.

· Move, adjust and position patients or equipment that involves standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching overhead, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or guiding a weight of 5-40 lbs.   

· Provide emergency care and administer CPR.

· Perform transfer and gait training techniques using correct and safe body mechanics with and without use of safe patient handling equipment.

· Change position and location at speeds that permit safe handling of patients/clients.

· Utilize fine motor control repetitively to manipulate testing instruments and other physical therapy equipment, perform manual techniques and document in written or electronic format.

· Monitor and assess patient’s health needs with sufficient auditory, visual and tactile acuity. 

· Observe changes in patient/client status that may require modification of activity or intervention such as color of skin, breathing regularity, heart rate, skin temperature, muscle tone, facial expressions, acute alterations in speech, and mentation.

· Visual (with accommodation/correction as necessary)—recognize and interpret facial expressions, body language and patient posture, identify normal and abnormal patterns of movement, discriminate color changes and interpret and assess the environment; recognize and distinguish between red, green and amber colors; read and set parameters on physical therapy equipment and testing instruments.

· Auditory (with accommodation/correction as necessary)—recognize and respond to soft voices or voices under protective garb, auditory timers, equipment/emergency alarms, and effectively use devices for the measurement of vital signs and breath sounds; able to hear patients and respond to patient/client critical needs when not in direct line of site.

· Tactile (with accommodation/correction as necessary)—palpate a pulse and detect changes or abnormalities of surface texture, skin temperature, body segment contour, edema, muscle tone, and joint movement.

· Demonstrate unselfish, honest, moral and ethical behavior in all academic and professional settings following the Standards of Ethics for the Physical Therapist Assistant, Values Based Behaviors for the Physical Therapist Assistant and the Professional Behaviors for the 21^st Century.

· Demonstrate leadership characteristics such as initiative, creativity, readiness to learn, preparedness, flexibility, enthusiasm, cooperation, tolerance, respect for authority, and diligence in all academic, clinical, community, and professional settings.

· Demonstrate time management skills that promote punctual attendance to class, labs, clinics as required.

· Demonstrate a work ethic consistent with professional standards.

· Recognize personal limitations and requests assistance as appropriate.

· Demonstrate responsibility for personal and professional development.

· Demonstrate respect for the patient, other health care providers and the profession of physical therapy.

· Maintain confidences; comply with HIPAA guidelines.

· Present professional appearance and maintain personal hygiene.

Follows standards stated in the current PTA Program Student Handbook, Policy and Procedure Manual, the Clinical Education Handbook.