Professionalism in health care is part of a learning process that is grounded in a specific set of values or principles.
Use these resources to understand professionalism and support your ongoing development.
Core Values
The Core Values for the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant guide the behaviors of PTs and PTAs to provide the highest quality of physical therapist services. These values imbue the scope of PT and PTA activities. The core values retain the PT as the person ultimately responsible for providing safe, accessible, cost‐effective, and evidence‐based services; and the PTA as the only individual who assists the PT in practice, working under the direction and supervision of the PT.
Professionalism Online Course Series
Available via the APTA Learning Center, these instructional courses incorporate reflective questions, case situations, discussion board, and assessment questions.
The first three modules are a prerequisite for completing the Credential Clinical Instructor Level 2 course (CCIP Level 2) and are free to members.
- Professionalism Module 1: Introduction to Professionalism (Free to APTA members)
- Professionalism Module 2: History of Professionalism in Physical Therapy (Free to APTA members)
- Professionalism Module 3: Ethical Compass (Free to APTA members)
Online Course: Information on APTA's Revised Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant
The Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist addresses the five roles of the PT (clinician, administrator, educator, researcher, and consultant), the core values of the profession, and the multiple realms of ethical action.
The Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant more fully address the roles of the PTA in all areas of physical therapy and the multiple realms of ethical action.
This online course provides a brief history of ethics in physical therapy, discusses the rationale for revising the Code and Standards, and examines the revised Code and Standards in detail.
Self-Assessments
These self-assessments predate the 2019 update to the core values and are being revised.
Professionalism in Physical Therapy: Core Values Self-Assessment
Values-Based Behaviors for the Physical Therapist Assistant Self-Assessment