Program Goals

1. Graduates will go on to take the national Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy certification exam and become state-licensed physical therapist assistants.
2. Meet Aroostook County region PTA employment needs.
3. Provide individualized PTA education with information and skills that are accurate and current
4. Provide local community services through educational partnerships with regional employers.
5. Graduate ethical PTAs committed to excellence and lifelong learning.

Program Objectives

1. There will not be more than 30% technical phase attrition rate due to academic reasons.
2. Licensure examination pass rate of at least 90% within the first year of graduation.
3. Employment rate of at least 75% within 6 months of licensure.
4. Licensed graduates in the state of Maine will remain in good ethical and legal standing with the State’s Office of Licensing and Registration.
5. PTA students and faculty will provide/participate in annual community services including balance screens and health fairs.
6. Graduate surveys will indicate that at least 90% of graduates are engaging in annual continuing education activities.
7. 80% of employer surveys will indicate that they would hire another UMPI PTA graduate if the need arises.
8. All PTA faculty will maintain a minimum of 75% favorable course evaluations.
9. Each clinical site will maintain a minimum of 75% favorable student evaluations.
10. All PTA faculty will attend at least one continuing education seminar/workshop annually and present to PTA/allied health departments
11. The program will be 100% compliant with CAPTE requirements.

Outcomes of Program Graduates

By graduation time, students have demonstrated basic competency in the following areas, and graduates continue to demonstrate competency in all areas:

The program graduate:

1. Communicates verbally and non-verbally with the patient, the physical therapist, health care delivery personnel, and others in an effective, appropriate, and capable manner.
2. Responds appropriately in all aspects of physical therapy services when managing individual and cultural differences.
3. Exhibits conduct that reflects a commitment to meet the expectations of members of society receiving health care services.
4. Exhibits conduct that reflects a commitment to meet the expectations of members of the profession of physical therapy.
5. Exhibits conduct that reflects practice standards that are legal, ethical and safe.
6. Communicates an understanding of the plan of care developed by the physical therapist to achieve short and long term goals and intended outcomes.
7. Demonstrates competence in implementing selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
8. Demonstrates competency in performing components of data collection skills essential for carrying out the plan of care.
9. Adjusts interventions within the plan of care established by the physical therapist in response to patient clinical indications and reports this to the supervising physical therapist.
10. Communicates to the supervising physical therapist when an intervention should not be provided due to changes in the patient’s status.
11. Reports any changes in the patient’s status to the supervising physical therapist.
12. Initiates clarification with the physical therapist when the direction to perform an intervention is beyond that which is appropriate for a physical therapist assistant.
13. Participates in educating patients and caregivers as directed by the supervising physical therapist.
14. Provides patient-related instruction to patients, family members, and caregivers to achieve patient outcomes based on the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
15. Takes appropriate action in an emergency situation.
16. Completes thorough, accurate, logical, concise, timely, and legible documentation that follows guidelines and specific documentation formats required by state practice acts, the practice setting, and other regulatory agencies.
17. Participates in discharge planning and follow-up as directed by the supervising physical therapist.
18. Reads and understands the health care literature.
19. Under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist, instructs other members of the health care team using established techniques, programs, and instructional materials commensurate with the learning characteristics of the audience.
20. Educates others about the role of the physical therapist assistant.
21. Interacts with other members of the health care team in patient-care and non-patient care activities.
22. Provides accurate and timely information for billing and reimbursement purposes.
23. Describes aspects of organizational planning and operation of the physical therapy service.
24. Participates in performance improvement activities (quality assurance).
25. Demonstrates a commitment to meeting the needs of the patients and consumers.
26. Demonstrates an awareness of social responsibility, citizenship, and advocacy, including participation in community and service organizations and activities.
27. Identifies career development and lifelong learning opportunities.
28. Describes the role of the physical therapist assistant in the clinical education of physical therapist assistant students.