Essential Expectations for the PTA Student

There are several important factors for you to consider when determining your future career.  To be successful in the PTA classroom and once employed as a PTA, you should be able to meet all of the following expectations:

• Attend class approximately 20-30 hours per week, including lecture, lab, and clinical observation times.
• Attend (1) four week full-time and (2) seven week full-time clinical rotations.
• Complete all assignments on time.
• Participate in classroom discussions.
• Perform or instruct others in the following procedures (as learned in class): transfers, gait training, physical agents, activities of daily living, therapeutic exercise or activities, and data collection procedures.
• Use sound judgment and safety precautions.
• Exposure to blood-borne pathogens and/or infectious disease may occur as part of the educational experience.  Students will be trained in safety/infection control and will be expected to follow these guidelines to avoid contracting or transmitting disease.
• Meet class standards for successful course completion.
• Use critical thinking when making decisions.
• Follow standards in the PTA Student Handbook.
• Address problems or questions to the appropriate person at the appropriate time.
• Maintain classroom work area, equipment, supplies, personal appearance and hygiene conducive to professional setting as appropriate.
• Behave in a competent, professional manner.
• Physical requirements for the PTA program include the need to occasionally, frequently, or continually stand 3-7 hours per day with lecture blocks up to 4 hours.
• Stand 1-6 hours with lab time blocks up to 4 hours.
• Travel 1-2 hours to clinic or be willing and/or financially able to relocate for up to 7 weeks.
• Lift up to 60 pounds unassisted.
• Push/pull up to 50 pounds of force exerted at waist level.
• Squat or stoop.
• Use auditory, tactile, and visual senses to assess physiological status of an individual.
• Demonstrate good standing and unsupported sitting balance.
• Demonstrate good finger dexterity.
• Coordinate verbal and manual instructions.
• Communicate effectively with a variety of people through written and verbal methods.
• Use hands repetitively.
• Shift weight in sitting or standing.
• Use a firm grasp.
• Reach above shoulder level.
• Kneel, kneel-stand, and half-kneel.
• Use equipment that emits electrical, ultrasonic, and thermal energy.
• Physically move and transfer patients.