Physical Therapist Assistant Associate's Degree

Technical Standards for Performance

It is your responsibility to understand the duties, responsibilities, skills and abilities required of your chosen program/profession. In addition to the technical standards as described below, please review the information regarding the Physical Therapist Assistant profession on the O*NET website.

As part of your application, you are asked to complete the Career Awareness Questionnaire to verify that you understand these standards.

Behavioral and Social Skills

Students should: possess qualities of motivation, compassion, integrity, empathy, honesty and good interpersonal skills; have the ability to develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, colleagues, and physicians; be able to tolerate physical and emotional stress as well as adapt and be flexible; maintain overall good health and self-care as to not jeopardize the health and safety of classmates, self, instructors and patients; maintain high ethical standards in compliance with the American Physical Therapy Association; demonstrate professional behaviors and a commitment to didactic, clinical and lifelong learning.

Communication

A PTA student must be able to communicate effectively using speech, reading, and writing. He/she should be able to observe clinical staff and patients in order to elicit information, perceive nonverbal communication, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and recognize and respond to an emergency situation. Students must be able to communicate quickly, effectively and efficiently in both oral and written English with classmates, instructors, patients, families, physicians and any other member of the healthcare team. Students must also have the ability to take part in lectures and discussions in didactic as well as clinical settings.

Motor and Functional Abilities

Students must be able to: freely move about the laboratory and clinic; move quickly in an emergency situation to protect the patient; stand for prolonged periods of time while in clinical experiences (up to 8 hours) as well as sit for prolonged periods during didactic work (2-10 hours); safely and effectively resist, guide, facilitate or inhibit movement of another person's body part(s) to illicit a desired position or outcome; lift or transfer another person's body weight using proper transfer techniques (30-100 lbs); detect changes in patient's muscle tone, skin quality, joint play, temperature and kinesthesia; engage in tasks requiring manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination as well as occasional pushing and pulling of up to 50 pounds, holding, manipulating, extending, rotating, kneeling, stooping and manually adjusting equipment found in a clinical setting.
Students must be able to see notes written on a whiteboard, videos and slide show/overhead presentations. They must be able to gather visual information from patients regarding movement, posture, body mechanics and gait to compare to normal standards as well as gather visual cues from the patient regarding tolerance of interventions.

Intellectual

Students should possess critical thinking and problem solving skills. They must be able to receive, interpret, remember and use information to solve problems as well as adjust patient's daily treatment within their plan of care when necessary. You will be required to have the knowledge to operate a variety of physical therapy modality and exercise equipment in a safe manner. Students must be able to comprehend information as well as accept constructive criticism and exercise sound judgment in the classroom and clinic.
In addition to the technical standards stated above, students must be able to successfully complete all required components of the curriculum consisting of tests and evaluations as well as clinical assessments.
It is the student's responsibility to notify the department if there is any reason they cannot meet these standards for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements: Clinical facilities require that Nebraska Methodist College perform drug testing, and background checks on all students. Students are also required to show proof of required immunizations before they are allowed to participate in clinical experiences. Therefore, students will be required to have a background check performed and submit to drug screening before being allowed into clinical practice.

Sources:
http://www.ptrs.kumc.edu/phdtechstnd.html
http://www.andrews.edu/PHTH/dpttech.php
http://www.sf.edu/healthscience/pta/techstandards.shtml

“The PTA program here at Nebraska Methodist College is incredible. The teachers in the program truly care about you and your success and will go to great lengths to help you achieve your goals. More importantly the group of people you will meet and the bond you will create is something you will cherish for a lifetime. The people in my program are now and will be my best friends for a long time. The community with past graduates, current graduates and people in the program is something no other school has.”

- Sydney Braithwaite, 2021 NMC Graduate

"I had an amazing experience at NMC! I was so lucky to be with my classmates and our wonderful program director, Shannon. As I was an international student, I sometimes needed extra help but I always had someone who I could ask. Whatever you need, they are always there for you."

- Haruka Ikeda (Roo), 2021 NMC Graduate

“Applying to the PTA program at NMC was one of the best decisions I could have made. I truly enjoyed my time there and the program set me on a path that I could not be happier with. “ 

- Jeff Swanson, 2018 NMC Graduate

“I found the PTA program at NE Methodist College to be a once in a lifetime experience that helped me grow as an individual and medical professional. The program pushed me in ways I didn’t know possible, and left with me a better sense of identity and purpose. The staff and students became lifelong friends; as they believe in building a sense of community along with the skills needed to be a successful Physical Therapist Assistant.” 

- Beth Fern, 2016 NMC Graduate

“As an adult student, seeking a new career, I found the program at Nebraska Methodist College to be both challenging and rewarding. The classes prepared me for clinicals, which then prepared me for the profession. I had a job upon graduation. The instructors were helpful and really cared about the students. The campus is modern and easy to navigate. Overall, a great experience and the anatomy/physiology classes were my favorite.”  

- Kim S. 2015 NMC Graduate

“My experience at Nebraska Methodist College was beyond extraordinary and one of the best decisions I have ever made. Shannon Struby does an amazing job not only as the program director, and as a teacher, but as a friend and mentor who helped me excel in life and my studies to become a PTA. The PTA program at Nebraska Methodist is the best that I found when I was researching and visiting potential colleges that had PTA programs." 

Clinic observation is strongly recommended for the NMC Physical Therapist Assistant Program for admission. This is your opportunity to weigh your interest in the field and to learn more about the physical therapy profession. Therapists or assistants within the clinic who are providing you the opportunity for this experience will need to verify your participation in writing by signing an observation form. Ten hours (10) of observation is recommended. We encourage applicants to arrange observation experiences within an inpatient setting and outpatient setting, if possible. It is YOUR responsibility to arrange this observation. You may fulfill the hours at more than one facility.

1. Call ahead to the clinic of your choice to arrange an appointment for your observation. Explain your interest in the physical therapy profession and your intention to apply to PTA school.
2. Expect that it may be one to two weeks before the observation time can be scheduled. Be prepared to only be able to observe one to two hours at some clinics due to busy PT/PTA schedules.
3. Dress professionally, it is best to ask what the dress code is for the particular clinic you are observing. Even though you are not a part of the program at this time, you will still be viewed as a representative of Nebraska Methodist College. Clinical sites do have the right to send you home if they feel you are dressed inappropriately. If there is not a specific dress code here are some things to consider: No jeans, low rise pants or low cut/midriff tops Wear low heeled, closed toe non-slip shoes and dress pants Shirts should be neat and tucked in No perfume (potential allergies) Cosmetics and jewelry in moderation
4. Notify the clinic if you will be late or absent. Be sure to speak directly with the program personnel or leave a message with the clinic office. Reschedule as soon as possible. Avoid canceling at the last minute.
5. Be ready to ask questions. However, if the therapist or assistant is involved in treatment, you may be advised to hold questions until treatment is completed.
6. Follow any policies or directions given by clinic personnel without question. You may be asked to leave a treatment area if necessary. Wait in a non-treatment area and ask questions at a later time. The patient is always the therapist's first responsibility.
7. Be familiar with HIPAA policies and observe patient confidentiality at all times. Most clinics will request that you sign a confidentiality form; this must be done to complete your hours.
8. When observing, be sure to keep interactions related to the scope of physical therapy. If you become involved in a situation that is uncomfortable for you, seek supervision immediately.

Download the Physical Therapist Assistant Observation Log