Program Goals and Outcomes

The Outcome Statements of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program reflect the philosophy of the College and the program. They are designed to guide the content of the curriculum to ensure that the essential educational outcomes and the needs of the health care community are met. Much content is included in the curriculum to meet each of the following. Outcomes are progressed and reinforced through clinical education experiences.

Outcome 1: The Program will graduate individuals who are safe with patient care. This is first assessed in the lab and then verified by with stakeholders in clinic. In lab, students are required to properly complete every safety element on all practical exams.  Additionally, during clinical experience (PTA 215 ), a student must be scored by one or more of his/her CIs as ‘Entry Level’ performance on CPI item #1 (Safety). Thirdly, we use the PTA site visit/phone call form, two times during each clinical rotation, for a total of six checks that the students perform safely.

Outcome 2: The Program will graduate individuals who demonstrate cultural sensitivity in their interactions. This is assessed in the classroom and then verified by stakeholders in clinic. In Introduction to PTA (PTA 101 ), students complete a book report assignment.  Titles allowed give insight to a patient or caregiver perspective of disease and its toll, and students answer questions based on the texts.  Students are required to attend a community group session/class which centers on a specific list of diseases/pathologies.  These sessions/classes provide caregiver or patient support for those suffering, and students answer questions based on their experience. Following the cultural sensitivity module of the course, at least 90% of students will pass their cultural sensitivity project (with at least a “C” grade of 74%).  Additionally, during clinical experiences (PTA 215 ), a student must be scored by one or more of his/her CIs at ‘Entry Level’ performance on CPI item #4 (Cultural Competence).

Outcome 3: The Program will graduate individuals who demonstrate effective clinical problem solving skills. Although this skill is addressed and reinforced in nearly every classroom and laboratory course, quantifying this outcome in the academic setting is challenging. Accordingly, the Program uses clinical and survey outcomes to assess success. During clinical experiences (PTA 215 ), a student must be scored by one or more of his/her CIs at ‘Entry Level’ performance on the CPI item #7 (Clinical Problem Solving).  At/after graduation, clinical problem solving is verified by an employer survey (question 4). The Program’s expectation is that at least 90% of the survey respondents will verify that graduates are effective clinical problem solvers.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will demonstrate the skills necessary for entry-level contemporary clinical practice.

Outcome 1: Graduates will demonstrate entry-level performance (as determined by the CPI web and the CPI web rubric) by the end of their final clinical experience. From the PTA 215  syllabus (page 5), “Entry Level: A student who is capable of completing tasks, clinical problem solving, and interventions/data collection for patients with simple or complex conditions under general supervision of the physical therapist. At this level, the student is consistently proficient and skilled in simple and complex tasks, clinical problem solving, and interventions/data collection. The student consults with others to resolve unfamiliar or ambiguous situations. The student is capable of maintaining 100% of a full-time physical therapist assistant’s patient care workload in a cost effective manner with direction and supervision from the physical therapist.”

In the rare occasion when a student is unable to meet this expectation (for example, a student’s second and third clinical experience sites do not offer an opportunity for electrotherapeutic modalities), the ACCE has the responsibility to assess the performance through other assignments or assessments.

Outcome 2: Graduates will successfully pass every individual practical exam and course with at least a grade of “C.” The program expects that students’ cognitive and psychomotor skills support our graduate goal. By mandating students pass every individual practical exam and every course with a grade of at least a “C,” our graduates will successfully have obtained the skills the Program believes are necessary for entry-level practice.

Outcome 3: Graduates will have at least an 84% first-time NPTE pass rate. Another way we validate that our graduates have the skills necessary for entry-level clinical practice is through their performance on the NPTE. Looking at the graduates from the past four completed test years (2013-2016), we have a 90% ultimate pass rate. The Program has a goal of a 95% first-time pass rate; however, recognizing this is a difficult standard to consistently reach, we have identified 84% as our first-time pass rate threshold (based upon FSBPT’s first-time attempt average over the past five years).

Program Completion Rate and Credentialing Examination Pass Rate

^*Two year Ultimate Licensure Exam Pass Rate:  89.25%.  The Ultimate Licensure Exam Pass Rate allows up to three attempts to pass the National Licensure Exam.

Job Placement Rate