The University of Lynchburg Doctor of Physical Therapy program requires that students entering the program, currently in the program, or returning from a leave of absence consistently meet the technical standards for the academic and clinical education components of the DPT program. Technical standards are minimal abilities that are not taught or learned in the DPT program but are necessary to meet the essential functions of the profession. Essential functions are abilities that, combined with technical standards and classroom/lab/clinical training, are the foundation of effective patient care in the physical therapy profession. It is expected that applicants and students attest to their ability to consistently perform all technical standards that lead to the achievement of the essential functions of physical therapists.

University of Lynchburg DPT program students are expected to function independently, which means, without the aid of an intermediary, to achieve proficiency in all curricular areas. An offer of admission may be withdrawn and/or a student may be dismissed from the program if the student cannot consistently demonstrate safe and proficient performance of any technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations. A student may be dismissed from the program if the student cannot consistently meet one or more of the technical standards during all program interactions.

If you feel you may require accommodations for equal access to the curriculum, you must work with the University of Lynchburg Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources to seek accommodations. The contact information for this center is provided below. This should be done before the first class meeting for each term. Accommodations may not fundamentally alter the nature of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program or create a significant risk of harm to the health or safety of others. Individuals with questions regarding reasonable accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 434.544.8687 or visit their website.

The components of the technical standards are Sensory and Observational, Communication, Motor and Psychomotor, Intellectual, and Behavioral.  Each of these are described below with a few examples of essential functions:

1. Technical Standard: Obtain, comprehend, interpret, analyze, and integrate information from various sources including written and electronic sources, and direct communication with individuals. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. read and accurately interpret information from patient charts.
   2. read and accurately interpret information from interviews with patients, patient families, medical providers, and other stakeholders.
   3. participate fully and independently in classroom and laboratory activities.
2. Technical Standard: Obtain, comprehend, interpret, analyze, and integrate information from visual, auditory, and tactile sources/senses. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. perform physical tasks while maintaining awareness of external factors such as patient response, monitor displays, equipment function, and/or surroundings.
   2. respond to auditory warnings from patient care equipment and patients, family members, and caregivers.
   3. auscultate using a stethoscope, palpate anatomical structures using hands, sense resistance of movement during manual interventions, sense abnormal tone in muscles, observe patient feedback, observe movement patterns, and observe signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.

1. Technical Standard: Effectively communicate and interact with other individuals by listening and observing nonverbal behaviors. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. observe pain behaviors in patients who are unable to verbally communicate.
   2. listen to what patients, family members, and other healthcare providers say throughout a patient encounter and/or rounds.
2. Technical Standard: Effectively communicate and interact with other individuals in English utilizing written, verbal, telephonic, and other formats to meet the needs of the target audience. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. effectively and accurately document findings from examinations using appropriate medical terminology and language.
   2. instruct patients on exercise programs using patient-friendly language.
   3. develop a therapeutic relationship with patients and their caregivers and families.
3. Technical Standard: Engage in respectful, non-judgemental communication in all interactions, appreciating, and considering diversity. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. create and maintain a therapeutic relationship with a patient regardless of their culture, values, or beliefs.
   2. effectively work with classmates/members of the healthcare team who have different viewpoints and values.
4. Technical Standard: Use a keyboard and touchscreen and/or equivalent/similar device. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. participate fully in classroom and lab interactions, take notes, and communicate with classmates, faculty, and staff members promptly.
   2. accurately and completely document patient care interactions, and communicate electronically with colleagues, payers, and other individuals.

1. Technical Standard: Possess the mobility, coordination, gross and fine motor skills, strength, and the integrated use of touch, hearing, and vision to be safe and successful as a physical therapist. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. safely provide graded manual resistance sufficient for a maximal manual muscle test of large muscle groups.
   2. accurately adapt manual inputs based on patient input/effort and changes in performance.
   3. safely assist patients requiring significant levels of assistance with physical activities including but not limited to bed mobility, transfers, fall prevention and recovery, and ambulation.
   4. apply timely reactions to maintain the safety of self and others.
   5. apply body mechanic principles to maintain safety for self and others.
   6. apply fine motor skills and hand dexterity to safely perform examination and therapeutic interventions for activities such as wound debridement, compression wrapping, wound dressing, taping, and sensation testing.
   7. manually manipulate very small equipment, palpate body structures, handle injured body parts without causing unnecessary pain or injury to the patient, and safely guide a patient’s movement.
   8. safely assist a patient with all transfers, including floor-to-standing, standing-to-floor transfers, and vehicle transfers.
   9. maintain simultaneous control of medical equipment (e.g., walker) and the patient during treatment.
   10. balance self and provide support and balance to patients and equipment on a variety of surfaces including level and uneven ground, ramps, curbs, and stairs.
   11. safely lift, push, pull, and carry heavy or immobile patients.
   12. administer CPR in emergent situations.
2. Technical Standard: Assume and maintain different body postures for extended periods (e.g., sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, kneeling, stair climbing, reaching forward, reaching overhead, turning, movement of the trunk and neck in all directions). Examples of essential functions include:
   1. enter small areas (e.g., bathroom, car) with patients for instruction in safe transfers and activities of daily living.
   2. maintain sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, kneeling, stair climbing, reaching forward, reaching overhead, and turning postures for extended periods while assisting patients, providing routine and emergency/urgent patient care, and other job duties.
   3. maintain prolonged sitting and standing postures while completing patient care documentation, and attending meetings and class sessions.
3. Technical Standard: Possess sufficient functional endurance. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. participate in class and other professional obligations and duties for up to 12 hours per day for multiple consecutive days (equivalent to a 40+ hour work week).
   2. effectively manage patient care productivity requirements.
   3. successfully complete objectives and standards of all laboratory experiences and clinical experiences within the designated length of time.
   4. provide CPR and other life-saving aid until additional assistance arrives.

1. Technical Standard: Read, comprehend, retain, recall, and apply complex information. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. successfully complete the program’s curriculum within the designated length of time.
   2. successfully obtain licensure by completing all course and clinical requirements and successfully passing the National Physical Therapy Exam.
   3. utilize all available information and resources to develop an effective patient treatment plan for every patient you encounter.
2. Technical Standard: Obtain, comprehend, interpret, analyze, integrate, and apply information from pertinent valid resources to problem solve, develop, and support rationale. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. utilize evidence-based practice to manage patient evaluation and care effectively.
   2. provide accurate assessments and appropriate rationale to determine patient diagnoses.
   3. appropriately refer patients to other providers promptly when necessary.
3. Technical Standard:  Demonstrate appropriate and effective management skills including planning, organizing, supervising, delegating, and communicating using various in-person (or direct), analog, and digital methods. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. work effectively with members of the health care team.
   2. work effectively in group learning activities in the program.
   3. delegate and supervise patient care to physical therapy assistants when appropriate.
   4. when presented with patient data, determine which data are needed to make an appropriate diagnosis and/or recommendations for continued care.

1. Technical Standard: Effectively manage time. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. perform the psychomotor and cognitive skills in emergent or other situations where time is critical to the patient, caregiver, and/or physical therapist’s well-being.
   2. balance multiple responsibilities during the didactic, service, and clinical portions of the program.
   3. complete clinical work while meeting productivity standards during normal working hours.
2. Technical Standard: Demonstrate the qualities of an adult learner. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. initiating requests for assistance when needing added guidance.
   2. accepting that there are often multiple ways to provide patient care.
3. Technical Standard:  Develop effective relationships with others. Examples of essential functions include:
   1. create therapeutic alliances with patients/clients, families/caregivers.
   2. demonstrate behaviors and attitudes that protect the safety and well-being of others.
   3. maintain a collaborative working environment with colleagues, instructors, and healthcare team members.
4. Technical Standard: Accept personal responsibility for all actions, reactions, and inactions.*
5. Technical Standard:  Demonstrate empathy, integrity, concern for others, and good interpersonal skills in all interactions.*
6. Technical Standard: Learn and function in the face of uncertainty, incorporating flexibility and willingness to adapt to a changing environment.*
7. Technical Standard: Accurately apply self-assessment, professional growth, and development in learning.*
8. Technical Standard: Appropriately accept feedback and respond with modification of behavior.*
9. Technical Standard: Effectively and consistently manage personal stress and appropriately respond to the stress of others.*

*Examples of essential functions for these technical standards are consistent with APTA’s Core Values for the Physical Therapist.

Sources

• Technical Standards for Nursing Education Programs in the 21st Century (Rehabilitation Nursing Journal)
• Technical Standards and Essential Functions (University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Health Sciences)
• Technical Standards (University of Iowa Health Care – Carver College of Medicine)
• Physical Therapy Technical Standards (The University of Mississippi Medical Center – Physical Therapy)