Doctor of Physical Therapy

DPT Program

https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/current/policies.aspx 

Accreditation and Program Overview

• Upon completion of the DPT program, students will:
  • demonstrate high-level professional behaviors that support life-long learning to maintain competency in a rapidly evolving knowledge environment.
  • demonstrate high-level clinical competencies, with skills and judgment, and incorporate evidence-based practices to maximize patient efficacy.
• Each graduating class will achieve a first-time pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam of at least 90% and will surpass state and national first-time pass rates.

• Each DPT faculty member will produce an average of at least one scholarly work per two years (e.g., peer-reviewed publication, conference presentation, published abstract, etc.).
• Each DPT program faculty member will submit a detailed scholarship plan as part of their annual appraisal.

• All DPT program faculty will provide service to the university, community, and/or professional service organizations.
• The majority of DPT program faculty who possess a clinical license will provide clinical care within the scope of the School of Health Professions' clinical practice income plan.
• The majority of DPT program students and all clinical faculty will be members of the American Physical Therapy Association.
• The majority of DPT students and graduates will participate in professional and/or community health service activities during their tenure as students.

• Observe a patient using visual, auditory, and palpatory sensory systems as a component of providing safe and effective patient care.
  • i. Sufficient vision is required to perform components of patient assessment and intervention including (but not limited to) accurate review and interpretation of medical records, observation of patient behaviors and movement, patient inspection, and cadaveric dissection 
  • ii. Sufficient auditory function is required to perform components of patient assessment and intervention including (but not limited to) accurate auscultation and interpretation of sounds from the pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems.
  • iii. Sufficient tactile sensation is required to perform components of patient assessment and intervention including (but not limited to) accurate palpation and discernment of muscles, bones, joints, lymph nodes, and other subcutaneous or internal structures.
• Accurately monitor, through both visual and auditory modalities, materials and equipment used for assessment and treatment of patients.

• Recognize and accurately interpret verbal (oral and written) and non-verbal (facial expression, body language, etc.) communication for the provision of safe and effective patient care.
• Communicate professionally (orally and in writing) as required for coursework and clinical placements to ensure safe and effective patient care.
• Communicate efficiently (orally and in writing) in order to meet academic and clinical productivity requirements in assigned tasks, patient care, and documentation.

• Demonstrate sufficient strength and coordination to stabilize and/or move both oneself and patients/subjects in 3-dimensional space for activities including (but not limited to) bed mobility, transfers, locomotion, ambulation, and joint mobilizations safely and effectively.
• Demonstrate sufficient fine motor coordination for safe and effective hands-on patient assessments and interventions as well as for the manipulation of the environment, materials, and equipment involved in patient care.
• Sustain necessary physical activity level required for classroom and clinical activities during the defined workday.
• Demonstrate safe and effective application of knowledge and behaviors as they relate to clinically relevant motor skills.
• Use technology to meet requirements of coursework and clinical placements (e.g., computer skills including but not limited to internet access, word processing, and spreadsheet programs, learning management systems, and electronic health records).
• Access transportation for timely attendance to academic courses and clinical placements.

• Comprehend, integrate, analyze, and synthesize a large body of information in a reasonable period of time.
• Read, comprehend, record, and interpret information accurately from patient/caregiver interviews, patient records, diagnostic tests, and equipment to ensure safe and effective patient interactions.
• Comprehend and accurately interpret the spatial relationships of 3-dimensional structures.
• Demonstrate the ability and willingness to self-assess academic and clinical skill performance.

• Demonstrate respect for all persons (including respect for differences in age, sex, gender, race, nationality, religion, ethnicity, social or economic status, lifestyle, health or disability status, or learning style) during academic and clinical interactions.
• Develop mature, sensitive, and effective professional relationships with individuals in academic and clinical settings.
• Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in academic and clinical situations, including the ability to tolerate taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress.
• Conduct oneself in an ethical and legal manner, demonstrating honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions and situations.

Professional Expectations and Opportunities

1. Define the ethical principles that form the foundation of physical therapist practice in patient/client management, consultation, education, research, and administration.
2. Provide standards of behavior and performance that form the basis of professional accountability to the public.
3. Provide guidance for physical therapists facing ethical challenges, regardless of their professional roles and responsibilities.
4. Educate physical therapists, students, other health care professionals, regulators, and the public regarding the core values, ethical principles, and standards that guide the professional conduct of the physical therapist.
5. Establish the standards by which the American Physical Therapy Association can determine if a physical therapist has engaged in unethical conduct.

Clinical Education

1. Communication and Clinical Education (HPPT 8120) - introduces the student to clinical education including communication strategies and the grading criteria for Clinical Experience courses.
2. Clinical Experience 1 (HPPT 8222) - takes place in the Summer semester of the second year. This four-week, full-time clinical experience may occur in any setting and is focused to provide the student an opportunity to experience patient interaction and develop professional behaviors and communication skills.
3. Clinical Experiences 2-5 (HPPT 8453; HPPT 8455; HPPT 8456; HPPT 8458, respectively) - are all eight-week, full-time clinical experiences. These experiences occur during the last two semesters of the curriculum and include inpatient and outpatient experiences. Clinical areas will include Inpatient Physical Therapy practice with a focus on foundational skills (acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, long-term acute care hospital, etc), Outpatient Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy practice, and may include electives such as pediatrics, cardiopulmonary, women's health, pelvic floor, sports rehab, aquatics, and neuromuscular rehabilitation. These experiences may be completed in any order.
4. Through these clinical education courses, students integrate patient evaluation and management skills and develop entry-level competency in essential skills. The student has the opportunity to develop advanced competencies beyond entry-level where applicable.

1. competency-based assessment tool for the student.
2. communication tool between the clinical education site and the academic program.
3. communication tool between the student and the Clinical Experience clinical instructor.
4. framework for and to encourage student self-evaluation.

1. is on Academic Probation.
2. has previously displayed unprofessional behavior that resulted in counseling using the Generic Abilities.
3. received a "below expectations" rating for the level of education and training on the PT MACS clinical evaluation instrument that is used by clinical education clinical instructors.
4. has exhibited unprofessional conduct in classroom, laboratory, or clinical settings (with professional behavior defined within the framework of the Generic Abilities and PT MACS Skills 1 to 10) such that the Director of Clinical Education has grounds for concern about patient safety or the ability of the student to appropriately and effectively participate in a clinical education course.

• Evidence of current immunizations for Hepatitis B, Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis), and MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella/Rubeola).
• TB (tuberculosis) test result.
• Personal medical/health insurance.
• Current CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification.Failure to meet all requirements set forth by a clinical education facility for a student receiving clinical education at their site (e.g., failure of a facility-required drug test, failure to adhere to dress code, etc.).

Academic and Conduct Policies

1. Failure to maintain the academic standard of a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or higher for two consecutive semesters.
2. Failure to maintain the academic standard of a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or higher for any three semesters of the curriculum.
3. After receiving a course grade of "D" or "F" in one course, refusal to sign a "Recycling Requirements Document" or refusal to recycle/audit courses specified in "Recycling Requirements Document" (see section on "Recycling").
4. Failure to meet all requirements specified in the "Recycling Requirements Document."
5. Receiving a course grade of "D" or "F" in two or more courses or the same course twice.
6. Failure to maintain the academic standard of a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or higher in any subsequent semester after successfully recycling a course.
7. Failure of a Clinical Experience or Internship course due to unsafe practices and/or unprofessional behavior as documented by the clinical instructor.
8. Based upon a complaint of misconduct as set forth in the TTUHSC Student Handbook.