Post-Graduate survey - employers 2024 graduates

Please assist the Lake Area Technical College Physical Therapist Assistant program in assessing its mission, goals and graduate objectives. Please consider how the graduate you work with performs in each area.


  1. The PTA Program Mission states: The Physical Therapist Assistant program will provide students with a comprehensive education leading to an associate of applied science degree, including the training, knowledge, skills and professional attitudes necessary to prepare the students to be competent and integral members of a health-care delivery team. The program will be dedicated to providing educational opportunities which will allow the students to reach their maximum potential and excel in their profession.
    How well do you believe the program has achieved this mission?
    very well
    moderately well
    well
    partially met
    poorly met


  1. Please grade how well the program has met these goals.

            1 2 3 4 5      
      Provide a curriculum that promotes effective communication in all the roles of a physical therapist assistant including documentation and professional writing, interrelationship skills, verbal and non-verbal communication. Excellent  Poor  
      Provide a curriculum that emphasizes safe, legal and ethical practices. Excellent  Poor  
      Encourage altruism, compassion, cultural competence, justice, equality, diversity, inclusivity and social responsibility by providing opportunities for student learning and growth in these areas. Excellent  Poor  
      Emphasize the importance of ethical considerations in the practice of physical therapy and make the students cognizant of the value of professional organizations, as well as the need for continuing education. Excellent  Poor  
      Provide a competency-based curriculum which will prepare students to perform the professional duties of a physical therapist assistant. Excellent  Poor  
      Provide an evidence-based practice model for working with individual patients/clients. Excellent  Poor  
      Ensure that the students understand the role and scope of the physical therapist assistant within the physical therapy profession and the health-care delivery system. Excellent  Poor  
      Create opportunities for students to critically think while engaging in patient interaction. Excellent  Poor  


  1. Please grade how well the graduate has met these objectives.

            1 2 3 4 5      
      Graduates will practice according to the Standards of Ethical Conduct; demonstrates respect for self, the patient/client, and colleagues in all situations. Excellent  Poor  
      Graduates will practice according to legal and professional standards, including all federal, state, and institutional regulations related to patient/client care and fiscal management. Excellent  Poor  
      Graduates will accept and be receptive to feedback; participate in planning and/or self-assessment to improve clinical performance; contributes to the advancement of the clinical setting through educational opportunities; seeks out opportunities to improve knowledge and skills. Excellent  Poor  
      Graduates will demonstrate professional verbal and nonverbal communication with all stakeholders (e.g., patients/clients, caregivers, intra/interprofessional colleagues); adapts to diverse verbal and nonverbal communication styles during patient/client interactions; utilizes communication resources (e.g., interpreters) as appropriate; incorporates appropriate strategies to engage in challenging encounters with patients/clients and others; facilitates ongoing communication with physical therapist regarding patient/client care. Excellent  Poor  
      Graduates will deliver physical therapy services with consideration for patient/client diversity and inclusivity for all regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, or other characteristics of identity; Provides equitable patient/client care that does not vary in quality based on the patient's/client's personal characteristics (e.g., ethnicity, socioeconomic status). Excellent  Poor  
      Graduates will strategically gather, interpret, and synthesize information from multiple sources to make effective clinical judgments; apply current knowledge and clinical judgement while supporting the physical therapist with clinical activities; ensure patient/client safety during the episode of care; present a logical rationale for clinical decisions with all stakeholders (e.g., patients/clients, caregivers, intra/interprofessional colleagues). Excellent  Poor  
      Graduates will perform selected therapeutic exercises, manual therapy techniques, airway clearance, and integumentary repair and protection techniques in a competent manner. Excellent  Poor  
      Graduates will apply selected mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities in a competent manner. Excellent  Poor  
      Graduates will perform functional training in self-care and home management, including therapeutic activities; perform application and adjustment of devices and equipment in a competent manner.  Excellent  Poor  
      Graduates will produce quality documentation that includes changes in the patient's/client's status, a description and progressions of specific interventions used, and communication among providers; maintain organization of patient/client documentation. Excellent  Poor  
      Graduates will participate in the efficient delivery of physical therapy services; demonstrate appropriate understanding of time management and appropriate use of clinical supplies and equipment when supporting physical therapy services. Excellent  Poor  


  1. Please add any additional comments that you feel might be helpful to improve the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.