Reference no: EM133431731

Many of you have probably heard the term portfolio.  It is a relatively old concept of collecting various items, commonly referred to as artifacts that accurately depict or tell the story of an individual.  When used on a personal level, a portfolio can significantly increase one's self-awareness.  When used on an educational level, a portfolio can significantly increase the self-awareness of one's learning.  The goal of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Outcomes Portfolio Assignment is simply that --- to significantly increase the self-awareness of your learning.   

"A portfolio is a record of learning that focuses on the student's work and his/her reflection on that work. Material is collected through a collaborative effort between the student and staff members and is indicative of progress towards essential outcomes." (National Education Association 1993, pg.41)

The premise of the portfolio in relation to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program is this: as a student enrolled in the PTA Program, you have completed an array of course assignments and activities that serve as artifacts of your learning.  For this project, you are to collect artifacts that demonstrate your learning of each physical therapist assistant program outcomes.  What are the program outcomes?  The program outcomes are the ten (10) items identified by the program (and profession) that upon graduation you will be able to perform at entry-level.  They can be found in the college catalog, program brochure, and program policy and procedures handout and are as follows:

1. Demonstrate clear and collaborative communication with patients, families, and health care team (4, 5)
2. Exhibit behaviors and conduct that reflect respect and sensitivity according to physical therapy practice standards (2, 4, 5)
3. Function under the supervision of a physical therapist in a safe, legal, ethical manner to ensure the safety of patients, self, and others throughout the clinical interaction (1, 3, 4, 7, 14)
4. Produce documentation to support the delivery of physical therapy services (13)
5. Demonstrate critical thinking skills to implement and modify treatment within a plan of care under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist (7)
6. Perform data collection essential for carrying out the plan of care under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist (7-12)
7. Perform technically competent, evidence-based physical therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist (7-12)
8. Educate patients, family and other health providers (5, 8-12)
9. Integrate components of operational and fiscal practices of physical therapy service in a variety of settings (3, 14)
10. Implement a self-directed plan for career development, credentialing, and lifelong learning (6

Although the program outcomes list is comprehensive, it should be relatively easy to collect the artifacts.  As part of your coursework, you have taken written examinations, practical examinations, and completed various written, practical and oral projects addressing the program outcomes.  You have also completed three clinical experiences, and the numbers in parentheses behind each program outcome correspond to that number on the CPI, so you can use the CPI feedback from your clinical instructors to represent attainment of program outcomes as well. Any of these items could be used as an artifact to depict your attainment of the respective program outcome.  Be creative in your selection of the artifact.  You should have a variety of artifacts in the portfolio. Each artifact should include a reflection statement showing how it represents what you learned in attaining the program outcome.

There are no specific guidelines to follow when developing the portfolio.  It is your project to complete however you see fit. There is an expectation that the portfolio will be completed and submitted for review by the program instructors by the assigned due date.  Successful completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Outcomes Portfolio Assignment is determined by the attached checklist and is worth 20% of the PTA Professional Issues 2 course grade.         

Recommendations to assist you with the process:

• Don't wait until the last minute to create portfolio
• Spend some time reflecting on your learning and what learning activities you have valued most within the courses / program
• Use your classmates, instructors, and CPI as resources to brainstorm potential artifacts for your portfolio
• Remember this portfolio is of little value to the program instructors - don't create it with us in mind
• Remember this portfolio is of huge value to YOU, the learner...
• The portfolio should address each of the 10 program outcomes with at least one original artifact per outcome