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

The overall goals of the program are designed to be consistent with the mission and goals of the college and include the continuous demonstration of:

1.       Working 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.       Respect and dignity for individuals displayed through an accepting, professional, and objective attitude.

3.       Resolution of ethical problems that affect the patient, the profession, or self, and   issues that may lead to unethical practices.

4.       The use of appropriate safety precautions to protect self, patients, their families and other health care providers.

5.       The practice of principles, concepts, facts and treatment skills necessary to provide quality, safe, and effective patient care.

6.       The competencies necessary for implementing the treatment program as created and directed by the physical therapist.

7.       The knowledge of the patient including pathologies, learning styles, motivations, interests, and needs including how these interact and affect the rehabilitation process.

8.       The competencies necessary for assessing the significance of various observation and measuring techniques that are within the scope and practice of the PTA.

9.       The skills necessary for active participation in patient care, patient education, and workplace functions.

10.   Effective written and oral communication skills to be used with patients, their families, other health care providers, and the community.

11.   Respect for, and appreciation of the administrative and social structure of the workplace.

12.   An interest in lifelong learning as it relates to patient care skills, the physical therapy profession, and the appreciation of diverse human populations.