Goals, Objectives, Mission and Philosophy

Program Goals & Outcomes-Student and Graduates:

1. The Program will graduate competent entry-level physical therapist assistant practitioners to work under the supervision of a physical therapist.
   Objectives: 
   1. Graduates will be competent in reviewing physical therapy documents and medical records and matching physical therapy interventions to goals.
   2. Graduates will perform accurate data collection.
   3. Graduates will perform, modify and progress interventions within the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
   4. Graduates will demonstrate essential safety behaviors by providing interventions in a safe manner that minimize risk to patients, self and others.
    
2. The Program will graduate students who follow legal standards and abide by the ethical standards established by the American Physical Therapy Association.
   Objectives:
   
   1. Graduates will adhere to appropriate legal standards and rules and regulations of the State Practice Act.
   2. Graduates will adhere to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant.
   3. Graduates will adhere to institutional policies and procedures
   4. Graduates will demonstrate tolerance and respect for diverse clients.
   5. Graduates will adhere to requirements for billing, supervision of self and other support personnel.
3. The Program will graduate students who communicate and interact with patients, families and caregivers, physical therapists and members of the health care team in an effective, appropriate and capable manner.
   Objectives: 
   1. Graduates will educate patients, families, caregivers and members of the health care team using effective instruction methods.
   2. Graduates will collaborate with members of the healthcare team.
   3. Graduates will be competent in completing thorough, accurate, logical, concise, timely and legible documentation supporting the physical therapy services.
   4. Graduates will be competent communicating pertinent information and patient progress to the supervising physical therapist.
    
4. The Program will graduate students who effectively utilize clinical decision making skills.
   Objectives: 
   1. Graduates will recognize when an intervention is inappropriate due to changes in the patient's status and respond appropriately by communicating with the physical therapist or appropriate medical personnel and adjusting the intervention as directed.
   2. Graduates will demonstrate accurate assessment of the patient's response to interventions.
    
5. The Program will graduate students who participate in activities for personal growth and life-long learning to improve abilities as a physical therapist assistant.
   Objectives: 
   1. Graduates will participate in the development of abilities and careers based upon performance appraisals, self-assessments and life-long learning activities.
   2. Graduates will participate in organizations and activities that promote physical therapy.
   3. Graduates will access, read and understand health care literature for evidence based practice.
   4. Graduates will instruct other members of the healthcare team and colleagues about the role, responsibilities, academic preparation and scope of work of the physical therapist assistant.

Program Goals & Outcomes-Faculty:

1. The PTA Program faculty will be involved in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at the national or state level.
   1. Faculty will actively participate in appropriate committees in the APTA or Nebraska Physical Therapy Association (NPTA).
   2. Faculty will participate in a minimum of one national or state association meeting annually.
2. The PTA Program faculty will advance their knowledge in curricular content to reflect contemporary physical therapy education and practice.
   1. Faculty will participate in continuing education in their area of curriculum.
   2. Faculty will pursue higher education in the area of educational theory, instructional design and assessment.

Program Goals & Outcomes-Program:

1. The PTA Program will practice excellence in teaching skills and techniques to enhance student engagement in the learning process.
   1. The PTA Program will utilize Engaged Learning Education (ELE) instructional methods in delivery of the curriculum.
   2. The PTA Program will incorporate interprofessional learning experiences in collaboration with other SCC Health Science Division programs.
2. The PTA Program will promote SCC, the Program, and the profession of physical therapy in the local community.
   1. The SCC Student PTA Association will participate in community activities and fundraising to benefit local charities.
   2. Program faculty will participate in activities to promote the Program and expose prospective students to physical therapy and the physical therapy profession.

Program Outcomes:

1. The Program will document a 3-year, 75% minimum, Licensure Exam pass rate on the first attempt.
2. The Program will document a 3-year, 80% minimum, Licensure Exam ultimate pass rate.*
3. The Program will document a 3-year, 65% minimum, Program Completion Rate.
4. The Program will document a 3-year, 75% minimum, Placement Rate within six months of graduation.
5. The Program will document a 3-year, 85% minimum, overall graduate Satisfaction.
6. The Program will document a 3-year, 85% minimum, overall Employer Satisfaction.
   * includes pass rate irrespective of the number of attempts

Student Outcomes:

1. Student graduates will be competent entry-level physical therapist assistant practitioners to work under the supervision of a physical therapist.
2. Student graduates will follow legal standards and abide by the ethical standards established by the American Physical Therapy Association.
3. Student graduates will communicate and interact with patients, families and caregivers, physical therapists and members of the health care team in an effective, appropriate and capable manner.
4. Student graduates will effectively utilize clinical decision making skills.
5. Student graduates will participate in activities for personal growth and life-long learning to improve abilities as a physical therapist assistant.

PTA Program Mission Statement

The mission of the PTA Program is to prepare competent entry-level physical therapist assistants through educational opportunities in the classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences to deliver quality care.

PTA Program Philosophy

The physical therapist assistant program is deeply committed to providing an accessible and affordable program and accepts its charge to provide high quality education. Meeting the needs of the community by graduating competent, entry-level physical therapist assistants prepared to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist will be achieved through discussions and feedback from clinical educators, employers, advisory committee members and students to assure the curriculum content is contemporary. For the physical therapist assistant to provide care in an ethical, safe and effective manner it is essential to understand the academic concepts and principles from which interventions and procedures are developed.

The student will have opportunities to practice skills and procedures in lab and through clinical education opportunities under the supervision of faculty and clinical educators. The opportunity to acquire this knowledge and skill set is through classroom theory, laboratory practice and in clinical education.

The curriculum is designed to advance students from foundational knowledge to application of the learned skills upon graduation as entry-level practitioners. Information taught in general education courses will be more developed in the technical education courses and effective communication skills will be practiced throughout. The courses will prepare students to understand theory, think independently and develop problem solving skills. The Program aims to foster an atmosphere where students feel respected and supported to pursue personal and lifelong professional learning.