Revised 5/2017

PTH 231 - Clinical Education II (5 CR.)

Course Description

Provides supervised instruction in the delivery of physical therapy in one of a variety of clinic settings. Emphasizes coordination and delivery of the entire therapy program. Includes skills applications that reflect all domains of physical therapy practice including rehabilitation techniques, and specialized exercise programs. Lecture 2 hours. Clinical 15 hours. Total 17 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course provides the student with direct patient care experiences under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant. It is the second of three required clinical education courses. The course consists of two parts: clinical seminars and a supervised clinical experience. Seminar classes take place prior to the clinical experience and focus on communication, evidence based practice as it relates to the clinic environment and review of the legal, ethical and supervisory guidelines that relate to the growth of the professional identity of the student PTA. Students are required to give a formal case report presentation. Student clinical experiences are directly supervised by clinical faculty guided by academic faculty. The focus of the clinical experience is to apply, integrate and perform all learned clinical skills. The student is assigned to one of many local clinic facilities, including specialized settings such as rehabilitation centers and school systems.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisites: PTH 105, PTH 115, PTH 121, PTH 122, PTH 131, PTH 151, and PTH 225.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Function in the role of a physical therapist assistant according to the APTA Standards of Ethical. Conduct for the PTA within the organization and administration of the assigned health care facility.
  • Adhere to legal and supervisory guidelines as set forth by the appropriate body.
  • Deliver safe, effective and evidence based interventions within the physical therapist’s established. plan of care. Skills competencies are inclusive of all skills learned in the academic setting and those learned which are specific to the individual clinic setting.
  • Develop clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills as they relate to patient care, the PT/PTA team and in interactions with other health care team members.
  • Communicate verbally in language appropriate to patients and members of the health care team.
  • Document patient progress completely and accurately using acceptable format and appropriate language in a timely manner.
  • Write and present a formal patient/client case presentation which incorporates the use of evidence based practice.
  • Write and present a research based clinic in-service appropriate to the assigned clinic setting.

Major Topics to Be Included

Physical therapy interventions:

  • Data Collection Skills
  • Therapeutic exercise and activities
  • Gait and transfer training
  • Modalities
  • Manual techniques
  • Movement assessment
  • Neurological rehabilitation techniques

Development of the PTA clinician:

  • PTA role definition in a clinical setting
  • Clinical problem solving
  • Patient care documentation
  • Legal, ethical and supervisory guidelines
  • Intervention modification and progression
  • Time management
  • Applying communication strategies
  • Reimbursement
  • Student case presentations

Optional Topics

  • Clinic observations e.g., surgery, radiography, occupational therapy, case conferences, medical rounds