Skip to main content

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.

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


You Might Also Like...

Article

Recommended Reading for Understanding Ethics in the Profession

Feb 16, 2023

The Ethics and Judicial Committee picked their top 10 articles of relevance for PTs, PTAs, and students in 2023.

Column

When Professional and Personal Life Intersect

May 1, 2022

On occasion, the lines blur and we may step outside of our professional scope with potential consequences.

Column

Professional Decision Making on the Line

Feb 1, 2022

Every practice setting has its challenges and special circumstances, but they all share professional expectations and responsibilities.