To submit a question, please e-mail aptamd@aptamd.org. 

1. The vision for PTs is very well set for 2020... what is the vision for the PTAs?
2. How can PTAs advance in their profession to gain more respect as a group and with PT colleagues?
3. In what ways can PTAs reach out to the community to educate on the profession? Is there a plan in place to do so? What is the APTA doing to help promote the physical therapy professions?
4. What is the future of the bridge program from PTA to PT?
5. Is the BS or BA degree in the future for PTAs? (especially with PT programs all becoming DPTs)?
6. Can there be a rating system developed for affiliation sites so that students from other schools can find new places to attend for affiliations or job positions?

 1. The vision for PTs is very well set for 2020... what is the vision for the PTAs?
The Advisory Panel of PTAs and the APTA Board of Directors have been addressing this topic in a number of venues, including two mega issues discussions conducted by the Board. The vision for PTAs was described by APTA President, R. Scott Ward in the June 2009 PTA Viewpoint in PT Magazine. Quoting from the article, Dr. Ward provided the following summary: PTAs in Education -

• The associate degree is the appropriate entry-level degree for the PTA.
• APTA supports measures to promote continuing competence of the PTA.
• There are further knowledge areas and skills within the realm of interventions that the PTA may obtain after initial licensure and in the context of ongoing regulation.

PTAs in Practice-

• The PTA is the sole extender of the PT.
• The PTA is directed and supervised by the PT.
• The element/role of the PTA is exclusively within the intervention component of the patient/client management model.
• Existing APTA policies and positions that specifically describe the role of the PTA in PT practice apply.

PTAs in the Association-

• PTA members are a valuable resource in the association, and their current role allows for further leadership development.
• Maintaining consistency of the PTA’s role in the association will facilitate clarification and communication of that role.
• The current PTA governance structure is relatively new and needs time to mature before its effectiveness can be properly assessed.
• Maintaining PTAs’ current role in the association ensures them continued opportunities to influence their role in PT practice.
• Maintaining PTAs’ role in the association is consistent with external stakeholders’ belief that PT members should make decisions concerning the profession.

2. How can PTAs advance in their profession to gain more respect as a group and with PT colleagues?
There is substantial evidence that recipients of Recognition of Advanced Proficiency for the PTA are greatly respected by their PT colleagues. They have gained that respect by continuing to advance their education, skills, and experience while working within the PT/PTA team. In addition to lauding their advanced knowledge and skills, their supervising PTs continually refer to the recipients’ professional behaviors, including dependability, responsibility, self motivation, patient-centered focus, willingness to help, etc. The PTA Caucus has gained a significant amount of recognition within APTA governance by demonstrating professional demeanor and responsiveness in all areas of governance. They communicate pride in their role as a PTA and commitment to being prepared with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to fully support the physical therapist now and in the future.

3. In what ways can PTAs reach out to the community to educate on the profession? Is there a plan in place to do so? What is the APTA doing to help promote the physical therapy professions? APTA developed a brand for the profession – “Move Forward” and has numerous marketing tools available on the website so that members can educate their communities about physical therapy. Please see the following links for additional information and learn more about what you can do, including becoming a brand champion:

• PT Month
• Consumer information
• Brand information for members

The best marketing occurs at the grassroots by providing excellent service to our patients/clients.

4. What is the future of the bridge program from PTA to PT?
To be clear, the profession needs and values both physical therapist and physical therapist assistant clinicians. A PTA who decides to become a physical therapist is changing careers, not advancing from PTA to physical therapist. There are currently two “bridge” programs available that accept only PTAs into their physical therapist educational programs. >>> More

A growing educational model for PTAs who want to change careers to physical therapist is articulation agreements between the college/university providing the PTA program with programs within their institution or with other colleges/universities that lead to health related bachelor degrees. After completing the bachelor degree, the student is ready to apply for a graduate program in physical therapy.

5. Is the BS or BA degree in the future for PTAs? (especially with PT programs all becoming DPTs)?
The degree level for a career path is determined by many factors, including the amount of content that must be delivered in a curriculum. The APTA Board of Directors examined this question carefully in 2008-2009 and determined that the scope of work of the PTA will stay solely within the interventions component of the patient/client model and that there is not a sufficient increase in the entry-level knowledge and skill content to warrant an increase in degree requirements. PTA education is staying at the associate degree level. They did acknowledge that there are opportunities to increase the depth of knowledge and skill within interventions post entry-level and have established the PTA Career Pathways Task Force to investigate opportunities to facilitate post-entry-level development for PTAs.

6. Can there be a rating system developed for affiliation sites so that students from other schools can find new places to attend for affiliations or job positions?
No, there is no rating system for clinical education experiences or job positions. The best method for determining if a clinical site will meet your needs is to research the clinical site thoroughly, including reviewing the umbrella organization’s mission, vision, and goals; reviewing performance indicators from external evaluators like the Joint Commission on Health Care Accreditation; and interviewing administrators, staff, and patients (if possible).