Physical Therapist Assistant Mission, Philosophy, & Goals

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program supports the mission of Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT), which is "to prepare students for today's careers and tomorrow's opportunities."

LWIT PTA Program Mission

The mission of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Physical Therapist Assistant program is to prepare students to enter the healthcare workforce as entry-level physical therapist assistants who are competent to assist the physical therapist in the provision of safe, ethical and effective physical therapy. The program aims to provide students with high quality didactic and clinical education in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills of physical therapy as well as tools for lifelong learning to maintain industry competitiveness.

LWIT PTA Program Philosophy

The Lake Washington Institute of Technology Physical Therapist Assistant program believes the function of the physical therapist assistant is to assist the physical therapist in the provision of safe and effective physical therapy to help people restore and improve motion for greater quality of life.  It is the philosophy of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at LWIT to foster the acquisition of physical therapist assistant skills in a safe learning environment that supports communication, collaboration, and critical thinking, and to promote culturally sensitive, ethical, and compassionate care in the physical therapy workplace.

LWIT PTA Program Goals

Goal 1 Graduates of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Physical Therapist Assistant program will possess the skills necessary to perform safe, effective, and ethical entry-level physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist

Goal 2 Graduates of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Physical Therapist Assistant program will be prepared to obtain an entry-level position as a physical therapist assistant

Goal 3 Graduates of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Physical Therapist Assistant program will be prepared to engage in lifelong learning and career development as a physical therapist assistant in order to maintain industry competitiveness

Goal 4 The Lake Washington Institute of Technology Physical Therapist Assistant program will provide students with a curriculum consistent with the current guidelines of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Minimum Required Skills of Physical Therapist Assistant Graduates at Entry-Level.

Goal 5 Lake Washington Institute of Technology Physical Therapist Assistant program faculty will promote and model the importance of lifelong learning and career development through the identification and completion of relevant professional development activities