COURSE DESCRIPTION

Provides supervised instruction in the delivery of physical therapy in one of varied of clinic settings. Emphasizes the practice of all therapeutic skills learned in the first academic year, including direct patient care skills and all forms of communication. Further, role of the physical therapist assistant is examined and accepted through the delivery of patient care. Lecture 1 hour. Clinical 6 hours. Total 7 hours per week.

GENERAL COURSE PURPOSE

This course provides the student with direct patient care experiences in a supervised clinic setting. It is the first of three required clinical education courses. The course consists of two parts: supervised clinical experience and clinical seminar. Student clinic activities are guided by academic faculty via weekly assignments, e.g., assigned examination data collection, etc., and directly supervised by clinic faculty. Students are assigned to one of many local clinic facilities, e.g., acute inpatient, outpatient or skilled nursing facilities. A weekly clinical seminar focuses on clinical problem-solving and permits group discussion of clinical experiences and assignments.

ENTRY LEVEL COMPETENCIES

Prerequisites for this course are PTH 105 - "Introduction to Physical Therapy", PTH 121 - Therapeutic Procedures I", PTH 151 - "Musculoskeletal Structure and Function", PTH 115 - "Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant" and PTH 122 - Therapeutic Procedures II".

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

A. function in the role of a physical therapist assistant according the APTA Code of Ethics for the Affiliate Member within the organization and administration of the assigned health care facility

B. deliver physical therapy treatments, safely and effectively according to the written plan of care, or as directed verbally by the supervising therapist. Skills competencies are inclusive of all skills learned in the academic setting and those learned, which are specific to the individual clinic setting

C. communicate verbally in language appropriate to patients and professional staff

D. document patient progress using acceptable format, appropriate language and accurate and complete content

1. modalities
2. goniometry
3. therapeutic massage
4. cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
5. therapeutic exercise
6. movement analysis

B. Clinical decision-making

C. Treatment modifications and variations

D. Patient care documentation

E. Role definition and clarification

F. Time management

G. Interpersonal relationships

H. Problem resolution

A. Student case studies/in services

B. Examination methods and physical therapy evaluation

C. Patient outcomes

D. Psychosocial responses to the clinic environment; patient/therapist relationships