COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES FORM
This form is designed to identify specific course objectives in the educational program's curriculum that are expected to lead to the attainment of
knowledge, skills, values and attitudes which are demonstrated in outcome behaviors of the program graduates.
Column 1 of the form contains the criteria 3.3.2.1.-3.3.2.28.
In column 2, provide 2-4 objectives from lecture and laboratory courses that reflect the progression to the attainment of competency for the identified
criterion. The course number and course name should precede the objective(s).
In column 3, reference one method of assessment (test question, skill-check, laboratory practical scenario, clinical performance expectation) for each objective that
demonstrates how the program determines the student has obtained competency in the criterion. The reference to the method of assessment should be preceded by
the course number and course name (e.g., PTA 210, Therapeutic Procedures, final exam question #4).
Criterion
Communication
3.3.2.1. Communicates verbally and nonverbally with the patient, the physical
therapist, health care delivery personnel and
others in an effective, appropriate, and capable
manner.
Individual and Cultural Differences
3.3.2.2. Recognizes individual and cultural
differences and responds appropriately in all
aspects of physical therapy services.
Behavior and Conduct
3.3.2.3. Exhibits conduct that reflects a
commitment to meet the expectations of
members of society receiving health care
services.
Objective(s) Reflecting Progression of Attainment of
Competency for Criterion
Method of Assessment
(Test question, skill-check, laboratory practical scenario,
clinical performance expectation) for each objective
that demonstrates how the program determines the
student has obtained competency in the criterion)
3.3.2.4. Exhibits conduct that reflects a
commitment to meet the expectations of
members of the profession of physical therapy.
3.3.2.5. Exhibits conduct that reflects practice
standards that are legal, ethical and safe.
Plan of Care
3.3.2.6. Communicates an understanding of the
plan of care developed by the physical
therapist to achieve short and long term goals
and intended outcomes.
3.3.2.7. Demonstrates competence in
implementing selected components of
interventions identified in the plan of care
established by the physical therapist.
Interventions include
Functional Training
1. activities of daily living
2. assistive/adaptive devices
3. body mechanics
4. developmental activities
5. gait and locomotion training
6. prosthetics and orthotics
7. wheelchair management skills
Infection Control Procedures
8. isolation techniques
9. sterile technique
Manual Therapy Techniques
10. passive range of motion
11. therapeutic massage
Physical Agents and Mechanical Agents
12. athermal agents
13. biofeedback
14. compression therapies
15. cryotherapy
16. electrotherapeutic agents
17. hydrotherapy
18. superficial and deep thermal agents
19. traction
Therapeutic Exercise
20. aerobic conditioning
21. balance and coordination training
22. breathing exercises and coughing techniques
23. conditioning and reconditioning
24. posture awareness training
25. range of motion exercises
26. stretching exercises
27. strengthening exercises
Wound Management
28. application and removal of dressing or
agents
29. identification of precautions for dressing
removal
3.3.2.8. Demonstrates competency in
performing components of data collection
skills essential for carrying out the plan of
care.
Aerobic Capacity and Endurance
1. measures standard vital signs
2. recognizes and monitors responses to
positional changes and activities
3. observes and monitors thoracoabdominal
movements and breathing patterns with
activity
Anthropometrical Characteristics
4. measures height, weight, length and girth
Arousal, Mentation and Cognition
5. recognizes changes in the direction and
magnitude of patient's state of arousal,
mentation and cognition
Assistive, Adaptive, Orthotic, Protective,
Supportive, and Prosthetic Devices
6. identifies the individual's and caregiver's
ability to care for the device
7. recognizes changes in skin condition while
using devices and equipment
8. recognizes safety factors while using the
device
Gait, Locomotion, and Balance
9. describes the safety, status, and progression
of patients while engaged in gait, locomotion,
balance, wheelchair management and mobility
Integumentary Integrity
10. recognizes absent or altered sensation
11. recognizes normal and abnormal
integumentary changes
12. recognizes activities, positioning and
postures that aggravate or relieve pain or
altered sensations, or that can produce
associated skin trauma
13. recognizes viable versus nonviable tissue
Joint Integrity and Mobility
14. recognizes normal and abnormal joint
movement
Muscle Performance
15. measures muscle strength by manual
muscle testing
16. observes the presence or absence of muscle
mass
17. recognizes normal and abnormal muscle
length
18. Recognizes changes in muscle tone
Neuromotor Development
19. recognizes gross motor milestones
20. recognizes fine motor milestones
21. recognizes righting and equilibrium
reactions
Pain
22. administers standardized questionnaires,
graphs, behavioral scales, or visual analog
scales for pain
23. recognizes activities, positioning, and
postures that aggravate or relieve pain or
altered sensations
Posture
24. Describes resting posture in any position
25. Recognizes alignment of trunk and
extremities at rest and during activities
Range of Motion
26. measures functional range of motion
27. measures range of motion using a
goniometer
Self-care and Home Management and
Community or Work Reintegration
28. inspects the physical environment and
measures physical space
29. recognizes safety and barriers in home,
community and work environments
30. recognizes level of functional status
31. administers standardized questionnaires to
patients and others
Ventilation, Respiration and Circulation
Examination
32. recognizes cyanosis
33. recognizes activities that aggravate or
relieve edema, pain, dyspnea, or other
symptoms
34. describes chest wall expansion and
excursion
35. describes cough and sputum characteristics
3.3.2.9. 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.
3.3.2.10. Recognizes when intervention should
not be provided due to changes in the patient's
status and reports this to the supervising
physical therapist.
3.3.2.11. Reports any changes in the patient's
status to the supervising physical therapist.
3.3.2.12. Recognizes when the direction to
perform an intervention is beyond that which is
appropriate for a physical therapist assistant
and initiates clarification with the physical
therapist.
3.3.2.13. Participates in educating patients and
caregivers as directed by the supervising
physical therapist.
3.3.2.14. 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.
3.3.2.15. Takes appropriate action in an
emergency situation
3.3.2.16. 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.
3.3.2.17. Participates in discharge planning and
follow-up as directed by the supervising
physical therapist.
3.3.2.18. Reads and understands the health
care literature.
Education
3.3.2.19. Under the direction and supervision of
the physical therapist, instructs other members
of the health care.
3.3.2.20. Educates others about the role of the
physical therapist assistant.
Administration
3.3.2.21. Interacts with other members of the
health care team in patient-care and non
patient-care activities.
3.3.2.22. Provides accurate and timely
information for billing and reimbursement
purposes.
3.3.2.23. Describes aspects of organizational
planning and operation of the physical therapy
service.
3.3.2.24. Participates in performance
improvement activities (quality assurance).
Social Responsibility
3.3.2.25. Demonstrates a commitment to
meeting the needs of patients and consumers.
3.3.2.26. Demonstrates an awareness of social
responsibility, citizenship, and advocacy,
including participation in community and
service organizations and activities.
Career Development
3.3.2.27. Identifies career development and
lifelong learning opportunities.
3.3.2.28. Recognizes the role of the physical
therapist assistant in the clinical education of
physical therapist assistant students.
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