Mission Statement

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In keeping with the mission of Wharton County Junior College, the Physical Therapist Assistant Program exists to prepare knowledgeable, competent, and caring individuals as entry-level physical therapist assistants. As responsible, productive members of the health care community, graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program will meet the diverse needs of employers and citizens within the college service area while providing quality patient care under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

Through a program of integrated classroom, laboratory, and clinical education experiences, the Physical Therapist Assistant Program is dedicated to providing a student-learning environment that will enhance knowledge, clinical skills, and professional behaviors necessary for successful completion of the state licensure examination.

Furthermore, the program is committed to the development of health care practitioners who appreciate and value racial, social, and cultural diversity, who are dedicated to the safe, legal, and ethical practice of physical therapy, who seek involvement in professional organizations that govern the practice of physical therapy, and who are committed to lifelong learning.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program subscribes to and supports the mission, philosophies, values, and goals of Wharton County Junior College (WCJC), the American Physical Therapy Association , and the accreditation standards established by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

The PTA program at WCJC is committed to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. We believe that physical therapy is an essential component in the prevention of disability and restoration of function following injury or illness, and that the physical therapist assistant, practicing under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, is a vital member of the health care team.

To meet the health care needs of the physical therapy community, the PTA program is dedicated to providing a variety of didactic and clinical learning experiences which support students in the attainment of knowledge and in the development of skills and attitudes necessary to practice safely and effectively as an entry-level physical therapist assistant.

The PTA program believes that learning is a shared process in which both the student and instructor accept responsibility for the learning objectives. To that end, the PTA program faculty are committed to providing the students with opportunities to learn the necessary information and skills and model the professional behaviors that lead to responsible citizens, effective practitioners, and lifelong learners. As adult learners, PTA students are expected to actively participate in the learning process, effectively communicate their needs to appropriate individuals, and fully utilize the opportunities provided by the educational program.

PROGRAM GOALS

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Wharton County Junior College will:

1. Become an integral part of the college community by participating in committee assignments and attending both college and PTA program recruitment activities. 
2. Identify, recruit, and accept qualified applicants who meet the admission requirements for the PTA Program.
3. Provide an organized and sequential comprehensive program curriculum that integrates both didactic and clinical education experiences and is consistent with contemporary PTA practice.
4. Provide safe and effective academic and clinical learning environments that promote student success and prepare the students as competent entry-level PTAs.
5. Provide academic and clinical faculty who meet the qualifications determined by the PTA Program and who ascribe to the PTA Program “Mission Statement”.
6. Maintain safe, state-of-the-art physical therapy equipment that adequately trains students to practice in a contemporary physical therapy clinic.
7. Support and maintain accreditation standards of the college and maintain compliance with evaluative criteria established by the Commission on Accreditation in Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
8. Graduate competent, caring individuals who are adequately prepared to pass the state licensure examination and who will effectively represent the program and profession in an ethical manner as physical therapist assistants.

EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES

Graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Wharton County Junior College will be able to:

1. Successfully pass the state licensure examination and begin practice as entry-level physical therapist assistants.
2. Integrate concepts and theories of general education background with physical therapy knowledge and practice.
3. Work under the supervision of a physical therapist while providing physical therapy services in a safe, legal, and ethical manner.
4. Utilize problem-solving and critical thinking skills in the delivery of physical therapy services.
5. Work effectively with physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and other health care providers in a variety of clinical settings.
6. Effectively implement a comprehensive treatment plan developed by the physical therapist to assist patients and/or their families to achieve stated goals and objectives.
7. Effectively communicate, either through written, oral, or nonverbal communication, with patients, family members, other health care providers, and the public.
8. Demonstrate professional behaviors required for success in the field of physical therapy.
9. Respect, value, and appreciate the needs of all people regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, place of national origin, or handicap.
10. Uphold the ethical standards of the profession by complying with national and state regulations regarding the practice of physical therapy in all practice settings.
11. Remain current with changes in the field of physical therapy and recognize the need for self-assessment, personal and professional growth, along with a commitment to lifelong learning. 
12. Promote the continued development of the profession through service organizations and professional organizations, and by being positive role models within the community.