The curriculum leading to the DPT degree requires students to demonstrate the minimum technical standards that are expected of all entry-level physical therapists. These minimum technical standards are required for successful admission to, and continuation in, the DPT program at PNWU. Under all circumstances, a student should be able to perform the following in a reasonable independent manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. PNWU does not discriminate against and will provide reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants or students who are otherwise qualified.
The Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will make the population of healthcare professionals more representative of the general population. We are committed to excellence in disability accessibility and encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations as part of the educational process.
Candidates and current students should review the technical standards to determine if they require accommodation(s) to fully engage in the curriculum of the DPT Program. If a student feels that accommodations are needed, they should contact the Office of Disability Services (ods@pnwu.edu) to confidentially discuss their disability-related needs. Given the clinical nature of the DPT Program, additional time may be needed to determine and implement accommodation(s). Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged.
Candidates for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree must be able to meet the minimum technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations, for successful completion of degree requirements.
Candidates and current students must be able to use observation skills in all didactic and clinical learning environments, including but not limited to, lectures, laboratory dissection of anatomical donors, clinical simulations, demonstrations of clinical skills class demonstrations and gathering patient data.
Essential observation functions include:
- Observe movement patterns, activities and behaviors.
- Observe signs related to physical status (e.g., vital signs, symmetry and condition of the skin, soft tissue, and wounds) and behavioral status (e.g., facial expressions, tone and volume of voice).
- Incorporate data from classrooms and clinical environments (e.g., course materials, patient medical records, diagnostic tests, dials, displays, and equipment) to provide appropriate patient care.
Candidates and current students must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively in English with patients and their families to elicit information regarding affect and functional activities, as well as perceive non-verbal communications. Candidates must also be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in person, virtually, and in writing with all members of the healthcare team to convey information essential for safe and effective care.
Candidates and current students must possess sufficient motor function to effectively manage the patient encounter from patient examination through intervention. Candidates must be able to provide general and therapeutic care that is safe for the patient, any caregivers, and themselves. This includes, but is not limited to, the performance, or direction of others to safely lift, transfer, guard, and position patients. In addition, many physical therapy interventions require advanced hands-on skills to safely perform patient care including manual therapy, wound debridement, and treatments that use accessory devices.
To effectively solve problems, candidates and current students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize, and apply information in making critical judgments and in problem solving in a timely fashion. The candidate must be able to synthesize knowledge and integrate relevant aspects of patient history and examination to develop an effective treatment plan. Candidates must be able to comprehend and analyze spatial relationships of anatomical structures and systems as they pertain to human movement.
Candidates and current students must possess the emotional health required to utilize their intellectual abilities fully; exercise good judgment; complete all responsibilities attendant to the physical therapy diagnosis and care of patients; develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, their families, and other health care professionals.
They must be able to tolerate physically and mentally taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to a changing environment, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients. Students must be able to accept constructive feedback and implement recommended improvements in performance or behavior.
As a component of their education, students must demonstrate ethical behavior commensurate with the role of a physical therapist and healthcare provider in both the clinical and classroom setting.
Physical therapy students must understand their own values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and experiences and how those affect their perceptions and relationships with others. Physical therapy students must possess attributes including compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, caring, fairness, responsibility, concern for others, accountability, interest, tolerance, and motivation.
If, after review of the technical standards, candidates or current students believe they require accommodation(s) to fully engage in the curriculum of the DPT Program, they should contact the Office of Disability Services (ods@pnwu.edu) to confidentially discuss their disability-related needs.
To apply for accommodations, current students should complete the PNWU Student Disability Accommodation Application , submit appropriate supporting documentation, and engage in the initial access meeting with the Director of Student Success and Disability Services. For details on the process, students are referred to the PNWU Disability Services Webpage.