Mission

The Mission of the physical therapist assistant program of Shawnee State University is to provide regional training via coordinated broad-based learning experiences through excellence in teaching and transforming therapeutic principles into clinical applications.  This training enables students to prepare for the National criterion-based Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTE-PTA). 

The PTA program at Shawnee State University intends to facilitate the development of life-long learners that are both professional and sensitive to the ever changing environment of healthcare.  The PTA faculty will strive to prepare the entry-level PTA to collaborate with the PT in a variety of settings and patient populations.

Philosphy

We, the faculty, value the physical therapist assistant (PTA) as an extension of the physical therapist, helping to carry out the physical therapist plan of care.  The faculty strives to train the PTA as a generalist in the field of physical therapy in which the PTA will work under the supervision of the physical therapist.  The laws that mandate practice of physical therapy in the state in which the PTA is practicing shall govern such supervision. 

We, the faculty, strive to prepare student physical therapist assistants to be well suited to treat clients from a continuum of care, to practice in an ethical manner, and become the providers of choice for consumers consistent with the American Physical Therapy Association’ s mission and vision statements. 

We, the faculty, are committed to providing a coordinated curriculum based upon a broad spectrum of research, theory, function and life skills.  We will train and educate the PTA to communicate in ways that are congruent and appropriate within the program, clinical environment, and community.  It is our philosophy that a keystone to the educational process is the ability to critically think and use sound judgments.  The faculty strives to train the PTA to be patient caregivers, educators, and patient advocates consistent with governing state laws.  Clinical data collection will be taught using standardized tests as is consistent with the Normative Model of PTA Education and the CPI.  Students are evaluated on an ongoing basis to assure technical competencies and procedural knowledge, as well as completion of performance indicators (CPI) with regard to safety and passage of the national licensure examination.