Mission Statement

Dixie State College of Utah’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program exists to prepare students to become physical therapy care providers exhibiting integrity, skill and caring. The program emphasizes excellence in human interaction, technical skills, critical reasoning and life-long learning.

Goals

Dixie State College PTA Program students and graduates will…

1. Provide physical therapy care within the role and scope of the physical therapist assistant, as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association, in the clinical setting and in the community.
2. Exhibit respect and dignity for individuals displayed through an accepting, professional, and objective attitude.
3. Participate in the resolution of ethical problems that affect the patient, the profession, or self, and issues that may lead to unethical practices.
4. Consistently use appropriate safety precautions to protect self, patients, their families and other health care providers.
5. Demonstrate the principles, concepts, facts and treatment skills necessary to provide quality, safe, and effective patient care.
6. Practice the competencies necessary for implementing the treatment program as created and directed by the physical therapist.
7. Know the patient/client including pathologies, learning styles, motivations, interests, and needs including how these interact and affect the rehabilitation process.
8. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills with patients, their families, other health care providers, and the community.
9. Maintain respect for, and appreciation of, the administrative and social structure of the workplace.
10. Exhibit an interest in lifelong learning as it relates to patient care skills, the physical therapy profession, and the appreciation of diverse human populations.

Program Outcomes

1. Physical Therapist Assistant Program graduates can comprehensively describe their role and function within the health care delivery system.
2. Graduates are information literate and technologically competent to continue learning.
3. Individuals who graduate from the program communicate competently in the areas of patient education, peer education, and team consultation.
4. Program graduates perform foundational physical therapy skills in a competent, safe, and culturally sensitive manner.
5. Graduates are able to analyze fundamental movement dysfunction and work with the physical therapist to adapt a treatment plan.
6. Graduates display the skills to select and explain the rationale for treatment adaptations.
7. Graduates model the APTA’s Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant.