Technical Standards

Physical therapists seek to prevent injury, impairments, functional limitations, and disability; to maintain and promote fitness, health, and quality of life; and to ensure availability, accessibility, and excellence in the delivery of physical therapy services to patients.

Students are expected to master the technical standards of their program.

Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in the basic and clinical sciences, including but not limited to information conveyed through laboratory dissection, physiologic demonstrations and physical demonstrations.
Acquire information from written documents and identify information presented in images from paper, videos, transparencies and slides.
Accurately elicit from a patient, a history and other information required to adequately and effectively evaluate a patient's condition.
Select and perform examinations of aerobic capacity, gait and balance, integumentary integrity, joint integrity, motor function, muscle performance, neuromotor development, posture, range of motion, reflexes, self-care, sensory integrity, ventilation, respiration and circulation.
Use and interpret information from diagnostic maneuvers (e.g. observation, palpation, auscultation, the course of conducting a comprehensive physical therapy exam.
Synthesize information to develop a plan of care for patients.
Problem solve and think critically to judge which theory, and or strategy of assessment and intervention is most appropriate for facilitation the attainment of the highest level of function.
Perform interventions including but not limited to therapeutic exercise, functional training, manual therapy, debridement and wound care, physical agents, electrotherapeutic modalities and the prescription, application and fabrication of assistive/supportive/protective devices.
Communicate effectively and efficiently with faculty, patients, families and all members of the health care team about a patient's condition as called for under the circumstances.
Utilize intellectual ability, exercise proper judgement, timely and accurately complete responsibilities intrinsic in patient care.
Develop effective and appropriate relationships with patients, colleagues, co workers and relevant others.
Practice in a safe manner and respond appropriately to emergencies and urgencies.
Adapt and function effectively under the various circumstances and rigors which are inherent in the clinical practice of physical therapy.