Physical Therapist Assistant

Graduation Rates

Licensure Pass Rates

* The Ultimate Pass Rate will be determined as graduates reattempt the NPTE.

Employment Rates

Employment is reported six months after licensure.

The mission of the Hawkeye Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program is to meet the physical therapy needs of the community by preparing graduates who, under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, provide quality physical therapy care to patients/clients. The program facilitates student attainment of the knowledge, skills, values and behaviors essential to function as a physical therapist assistant by providing quality, student-centered learning experiences based upon contemporary educational theory designed to maximize student success.

We believe individuals have unique learning styles. Therefore, the Physical Therapist Assistant program will provide visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning opportunities through a combination of lecture, lab, and clinical education to allow each student to have an optimal learning opportunity.

We believe to be a productive member of a health care team, the graduate, and thus a student in this program, needs to accept responsibility for their own learning. Therefore, active student participation in all aspects of the learning process will be encouraged and expected.

We believe that effective clinicians not only possess knowledge and skills, but compassion for and dedication to the patients/clients they serve. Therefore, we emphasize interpersonal skills development to prepare the student to provide the appropriate psychosocial support for patients and their families, as well as work effectively as part of a health care team.

Upon completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant program, graduates will:

Goal 1: Work under the supervision of a physical therapist in a manner that meets the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) expectations; including state licensure rules, practice act guidelines, and professional behavior standards.

Objectives for Goal 1:

1. Adhere to federal and state legal practice standards.

2. Adhere to the APTA’s Guide for Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant.

3. Adhere to employer’s policies and procedures when working as a physical therapist assistant.

4. Demonstrate the APTA’s Values Based Behavior for the PTA that consistently meets the expectations of the employer, physical therapy profession and patient community.

5. Seek clarification from the supervising physical therapist if there is uncertainty regarding the plan of care or the application of any intervention.

6. Insure patient safety, privacy, rights and dignity.

7. Recognize and respect individual differences in all interactions.

Goal 2: Deliver safe, competent physical therapy interventions to include monitoring and adjusting them based upon patient response and in accordance with the plan of care developed by the physical therapist.

Objectives for Goal 2:

1. Implement competent interventions based on the plan of care after review of all appropriate documentation including the medical record, initial evaluation, plan of care established by the physical therapist, and other appropriate physical therapy documents.

2. Deliver interventions safely for the patient, the physical therapist assistant and others within the patient care environment.

3. Select the appropriate modification to an intervention when patient response dictates a needed change to provide for patient safety, comfort or progression.

4. Communicate with the supervising physical therapist when there is a change in patient status or a modification to the intervention needed that falls outside the plan of care or the scope of skills of the physical therapist assistant.

5. Identify when an intervention is beyond one’s level of skill and seek additional training as appropriate before initiating the intervention in a patient care situation.

6. Participate in discharge planning and follow up.

Goal 3: Perform tests and measures essential for carrying out the plan of care and modifying interventions based upon the patient’s response.

Objectives for Goal 3:

1. Effectively use data collection tools and verbal and non-verbal communication with the patient to accurately determine their response to interventions.

2. Select the appropriate modification to an intervention when patient response dictates a needed change to provide for patient safety, comfort or progression.

3. Communicate with the supervising physical therapist when there is a change in patient status or a needed modification to the intervention that falls outside the plan of care or the scope of skills of the physical therapist assistant.

4. Effectively progress patient towards the desired outcome/goals outlined in the plan of care.

Goal 4: Use effective oral, written, and nonverbal communication with the supervising physical therapist, patients and their families, other health care providers, all stakeholders, and all patient care members.

Objectives for Goal 4:

1. Provide effective instruction to patients/clients, family members, and caregivers using various learning styles to meet their needs and to assist with achievement of goals as outlined in the plan of care.

2. Select the appropriate response to a conflict and seek a resolution that is appropriate to the situation.

3. Produce documentation that is legible, concise accurate and in keeping with institutional standards.

4. Communicate accurately and timely with the supervising physical therapist.

5. Communicate effectively with other members of the health care team and other stakeholders.

Goal 5: Demonstrate effective time management and an awareness of fiscal responsibility, quality improvement, performance improvement activities, professional timeliness, and levels of role responsibility within their employment setting.

Objectives for Goal 5:

1. Use physical therapy equipment and material resources in a safe, cost-effective, and efficient manner.

2. Direct and supervise support personnel as appropriate for non-patient care tasks.

3. Provide accurate and timely billing information.

4. Interact effectively with other health professionals engaged with patient care, recognizing their specific roles as it relates to the patient.

5. Use equipment in a manner that maintains its effectiveness.

6. Use time efficiently and effectively.

Goal 6: Value the need for life-long professional development through learning and enabling opportunities, skill advancement, continuing education opportunities, thus further enriching their local communities.

Objectives for Goal 6:

1. Seek out opportunities to advance skills and knowledge.

2. Promote the profession of physical therapy to the public.

3. Utilize ongoing assessment tools to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses.

4. Participate in professional activities.

5. Contribute to the community in a positive manner.

Goal 7: Represent APTA core values; accountability, altruism, collaboration, compassion and caring, duty, excellence, inclusion, integrity, and social responsibility.

Objectives for Goal 7:

1. Actively accept and practice to the standards of the APTA values.

2. Assume responsibility of patient and client needs.

3. Collaborate effectively with all healthcare stakeholders.

4. Demonstrate compassion and care for another’s experience.

5. Commit to providing effective physical therapy services.

6. Consistently practice through use of current techniques and incorporate new techniques through evidence-based research.

7. Provide a welcoming, equitable environment for all.

8. Adhere to high ethical principles and standards.

9. Promote a mutual trust between the physical therapy profession and the communities served.