Expected Professional Behavior
The Generic Abilities
APTA Standards
Appropriate professional behaviors are expected of all members of the learning community. Experience shows that behaviors demonstrated in the classroom do carry over into clinical practice.
These are basic skills of a competent graduate. The PTA program must address problems in these areas as part of the guarantee to graduate only skilled and caring health care professionals.
Students are expected to follow professional standards when in the classroom, laboratory and clinical settings.
The Generic Abilities:
Ten specific professional behaviors, called “Generic Abilities” are assessed throughout the PTA Program curriculum. PTA program faculty will assess the Generic Abilities once per semester with students performing a Generic Abilities self-assessment once per semester.
Generic abilities are attributes, characteristics or behaviors that are not explicitly part of the profession’s core of knowledge and technical skills but are nevertheless required for success in the profession. Throughout the PTA curriculum, students will self-assess their abilities in these areas using the following as a guideline for self-reflection. Faculty members and Clinical Instructors will also use the following to provide students with feedback and to help students to achieve personal and professional growth. Ten generic abilities were identified through a study conducted at UW-Madison in 1991-1992. The ten abilities and definitions developed are:
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Generic Ability
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Definition
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Commitment to Learning
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The ability to self-assess, self-correct, and self-direct; to identify needs and sources of learning; and to continually seek new knowledge and understanding.
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Interpersonal Skills
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The ability to interact effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals, and the community and to deal effectively with cultural and ethnic diversity issues.
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Communication Skills
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The ability to communicate effectively (i.e., speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes.
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Effective Use of Time and Resources
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The ability to obtain the maximum benefit from a minimum investment of time and resources.
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Use of Constructive Feedback
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The ability to identify sources of and seek out feedback and to effectively use and provide feedback for improving personal interaction.
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Problem-Solving
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The ability to recognize and define problems, analyze data, develop and implement solutions, and evaluate outcomes.
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Professionalism
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The ability to exhibit appropriate professional conduct and represent the profession effectively.
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Responsibility
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The ability to fulfill commitments and to be accountable for actions and outcomes.
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Critical Thinking
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The ability to question logically; to identify, generate, and evaluate elements of logical argument; to recognize and differentiate facts, illusions, assumptions, and hidden assumptions; and to distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant.
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Stress Management
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The ability to identify sources of stress and to develop effective coping behaviors.
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See the links below for the APTA documents related to professional behavior
Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant
Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant
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