PTA Program Goals and Objectives

GOALS

The goals of the Stark State College (SSC) Physical Therapist Assistant Program (PTAP) are as follows:

1. The program prepares SSC PTAP students to pass the Physical Therapist Assistant national licensure exam and the State of Ohio Laws and Rules exam.
2. The program instructs and reinforces the concepts of safe, ethical, and legal practice of physical therapy in accordance with the APTA's Code of Ethics and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant.
3. The program fosters and promotes the preferred Physical Therapist/Physical Therapist Assistant relationship as described in the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice.
4. The program instructs SSC PTAP students to recognize when treatment modifications are indicated and when treatment modifications are outside the scope of Physical Therapist Assistant practice.
5. The program instructs SSC PTAP students in the implementation of a comprehensive treatment plan developed by a physical therapist, which includes interventions and data collection that are within the scope of a Physical Therapist Assistant.
6. The program teaches and reinforces the use of effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication, with patients, family members, caregivers, and other health care providers.
7. The program instructs SSC PTAP students in the process of patient discharge planning and follow up care.
8. The program teaches SSC PTAP students to recognize individual, cultural, and economic differences.
9. The program fosters and promotes awareness of the value of life long learning, professional growth, and professional involvement.

OBJECTIVES

The Stark State College (SSC) Physical Therapist Assistant Program (PTAP) prepares entry level Physical Therapist Assistants who:

1. Perform in a safe manner that minimizes risk to patient, self, and others.
2. Conduct self in a responsible manner.
3. Interact with others in a respectful manner.
4. Adhere to ethical standards.
5. Adhere to legal standards.
6. Communicate in ways that are congruent with situational needs.
7. Produce documentation to support the delivery of physical therapy services.
8. Deliver patient care to reflect respect for and sensitivity to individual differences.
9. Participate in patient status judgments within the clinical environment based on the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
10. Obtain accurate information by performing selected data collection consistent with the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
11. Discuss the need for modifications to the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
12. Perform physical therapy interventions in a technically competent manner.
13. Manage resources to achieve goals of the clinical setting.

(Adapted from Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical Performance Instrument, APTA, 1998).