Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Learning Outcomes

1.  Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the PT and PTA in the provision of physical therapy care.

2.  Demonstrate adherence to ethical and legal guidelines in the delivery of patient care.
 
3.  Demonstrate communication skills that result in effective information exchange and collaboration with patients, their families, and other health care personnel.
 
4.  Demonstrate competence in implementing interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
 
5.  Complete clear and relevant physical therapy patient care documentation according to practice guidelines.
 
6.  Demonstrate respect for patient/client differences, values, and preferences in the delivery of physical therapy services.
 
7.  Apply effective clinical decision-making skills within the context of available evidence based practice to carry out the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
 
8.  Recognize the role of the PTA in reimbursement and budgetary processes in the delivery of physical therapy services.
 
9.  Exhibit professional conduct that reflects a commitment to meet the expectations of the patients and community they serve, and the profession of physical therapy.
 
10.  Integrate the aspects of human structure, function and dysfunction as a foundation for applying clinical judgment when carrying out the plan of care established by the physical therapist.

Advisory Committee Members

Bertha Puig, PT, Puig Physical Therapy
Javier Rocha, PT, Village Care Nursing & Rehab
Norma Castro, PTA, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance (acute care)
Denise Ramos, PT, DPT, (Committee Vice-Chair) McAllen Heart Hospital
Melanie Watson, PT, MPT, C/NDT, Milestones Therapeutic Associates
Ricardo Escobedo, PTA, (Committee Chair) DHR Orthopedic & Sports Therapy Institute
Maria O. Aguilar, PTA, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Inpatient Rehabilitation Center
Aaron Cantu, PT, DPT, Mission Regional Medical Center
Veronica P. Barrera, PT, DPT, Rio Rehab
Jack Ruelas, OTR, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, UT Rio Grande Valley

Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science

TSI LIABLE

Plan of Study Grid
Pre-requisite Semester (Summer Session I)Credit Hours
BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I 1 4
ENGL 1301 Composition I 1 3
PTHA 1409 Introduction to Physical Therapy 4
 Credit Hours11
First Semester (Fall)
BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II 1 4
PTHA 1405 Basic Patient Care Skills 4
PTHA 1413 Functional Anatomy 4
PTHA 2201 Essentials of Data Collection 2
 Credit Hours14
Second Semester (Spring)
PSYC 2314 Lifespan Growth and Development 1 3
PTHA 1321 Pathophysiology for the PTA 3
PTHA 1531 Physical Agents 5
PTHA 2509 Therapeutic Exercise 5
 Credit Hours16
Third Semester (Summer Session)
PTHA 1266 Practicum I 2
PTHA 2205 Neurology 2
 Credit Hours4
Fourth Semester (Fall)
PTHA 2431 Management of Neurological Disorders 4
PTHA 2435 Rehabilitation Techniques 4
Humanities Elective 1 3
Select one of the following:
Introduction to Humanities I - Western
Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to Logic
Introduction to Ethics
 Credit Hours11
Fifth Semester (Spring)
PTHA 2266 Practicum II 2
PTHA 2267 Practicum III 2
PTHA 2339 CAPSTONE: Professional Issues 3
 Credit Hours7
 Total Credit Hours63
1

Identifies courses to fulfill minimum 15 credit hour General Education requirement