Physical Therapist Assistant Program Technical Standards
Blinn College District and the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program have chosen to set guidelines to make students aware of the demands they will encounter during the classroom, laboratory, and clinical parts of the PTA Program.
Should you not be able to meet the following demands, you may not be permitted to continue in the program, for your own safety and that of the patient.
These standards are not conditions of admission to the program. Each applicant for the PTA Program, however, should review these requirements to determine their abilities to successfully fulfill the skills, clinical competency requirements, and physical demands of the profession.
Sensory
Sensory Requirements
| Category |
Performance Standard |
Requirements (Not Limited To) |
| Visual |
Observe and assess patients, equipment, and the treatment environment. |
- Assess environment in close proximity and at a distance
- Recognize facial expressions and body language
- Read handwritten and electronic medical charts
- Read extra-fine print on goniometers and measuring devices
- Corrected vision to at least 20/40 (with corrective lenses if needed)
|
| Auditory |
Hear and respond to verbal communication and physiological sounds. |
- Detect normal speaking voice at approximately 65 dB(A) at three feet
- Auscultate blood pressures
- Distinguish normal and abnormal body sounds
- Recognize and respond to alarms, voices, and environmental sounds
|
| Tactile |
Utilize touch to assess patients and perform therapeutic interventions. |
- Detect changes in surface texture and skin temperature
- Palpate muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and pulses
- Distinguish tissue quality and joint motion
|
Cognitive
Cognitive Requirements
| Category |
Performance Standard |
Requirements (Not Limited To) |
| Cognitive Ability |
Demonstrate cognitive skills necessary for safe and effective patient care. |
- Collect, interpret, and integrate information
- Make decisions based on clinical reasoning
- Comprehend and follow verbal and written instructions
- Maintain attention and concentration
- Apply knowledge to problem-solving situations
- Measure, calculate, analyze, and synthesize information
- Read and comprehend textbooks, medical records, and professional literature
- Retain and recall information
- Exercise good judgment and complete tasks within time limits
|
Motor / Physical
Motor and Physical Requirements
| Category |
Performance Standard |
Requirements (Not Limited To) |
| Functional Mobility |
Perform physical movements required for patient care. |
- Occasionally: Sit; bend or twist neck; climb; crawl; twist waist; reach above, at, or below shoulder level
- Frequently: Walk; kneel; squat; grasp simple objects; manipulate fine objects
- Up to constantly: Stand
|
| Exertion |
Safely move patients, equipment, and materials. |
- Push or pull: commonly 20–50 lbs; demonstrate up to 50–100 lbs
- Lift: commonly 20–50 lbs; demonstrate up to 50–100 lbs
- Carry: commonly 20–50 lbs; demonstrate up to 50–100 lbs
- Maintain balance, coordination, endurance, speed, and agility
|
Professional Conduct / Behavior
Professional Conduct and Behavior
| Category |
Performance Standard |
Requirements (Not Limited To) |
| Professional Behavior |
Demonstrate ethical, responsible, and professional conduct. |
- Practice ethically and professionally in all settings
- Adhere to professional standards of practice
- Demonstrate APTA Core Values
- Provide care to all patient populations
- Maintain flexibility with demanding academic and clinical schedules
- Perform duties under physical and emotional stress
- Accept responsibility and constructive feedback
|
Communication
Communication Requirements
| Category |
Performance Standard |
Requirements (Not Limited To) |
| Communication Skills |
Communicate effectively in academic and clinical environments. |
- Communicate effectively in English using verbal, non-verbal, and written formats
- Interpret verbal and non-verbal communication
- Speak at approximately 65 dB(A)
- Read, write, type, and interpret academic and clinical materials
- Convey information to patients, caregivers, faculty, and healthcare professionals
|
Office of Disability Services
RELLIS Campus
Schwartz Building, Suite 230
Phone: 979-209-8947
Fax: 979-475-1289
rellis.ods@blinn.edu
Bryan Campus
Building D, Room 160
Phone: 979-209-7251
Fax: 979-209-7558
bryan.ods@blinn.edu
Brenham, Sealy, and Schulenburg Campuses
104 Administration Building
Phone: 979-830-4157
Fax: 979-830-4410
brenham.ods@blinn.edu
