Physical Therapist Assistant

This course introduces students to the historical foundations and contemporary practice of physical therapy within an ever-changing health care environment. Traditional and emerging roles and responsibilities, professional relationships, and professional behaviors requisite to functioning as a physical therapist assistant will be explored and emphasized. Students will cultivate self-awareness and personal and professional development in cultural competence, communication and interpersonal skills, professionalism, group dynamics and leadership. A culture rooted in the core values of the profession will be established and provide the base for on-going consideration of ethical and legal issues. Students will be introduced to strategies to acquire, appraise, and integrate professional literature and resources into evidence-based practice.

This course includes an in-depth scientific analysis of human movement across the lifespan. Students will study normal postural alignment, gait, joint and muscle actions with an emphasis on functional mobility and activities. An introduction to principles of exercise through a study of all body systems is also included. The laboratory will allow for hands-on practice and application of the concepts and skills necessary for the understanding of human movement.

This course provides the study of basic physical therapy theory and principles, and a hands-on introduction to the patient care. Emphasis is on standard precautions, infection control and blood borne pathogens, vital signs, transfer techniques, wheelchairs (including basic management and mobility), use of assistive devices/introduction to assisted gait patterns, introduction to normal gait, passive range of motion exercises and other functional skills and training with age specific information as pertains to each topic.

Students will study and apply scientific concepts and skills related to safe and effective application of physical therapy interventions and patient interactions while following the established plan of care developed by the physical therapist. The concepts and skills studied include electrotherapeutic modalities; physical agents and mechanical modalities, and other adjunctive modalities commonly utilized in physical therapy. Students will further develop clinical documentation skills.

This course presents students with a body systems approach to the etiology, pathology, signs/symptoms, risk factors, and prognosis and medical treatment of specific diseases and conditions across the lifespan often seen in physical therapy. Students will be introduced to behavioral, social, and environmental factors contributing to disease and dysfunction as well as the psychosocial-spiritual impact on health care. Primary systems of study include musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary, and endocrine and diseases affecting multiple systems. Students will study the fundamental basis of these diseases and conditions related to these systems and discuss related physical therapy implications. This course may be taught in an on-line or hybrid format.

This course includes an in-depth scientific analysis of human movement across the lifespan. Students will study normal postural alignment, gait, joint and muscle actions with an emphasis on functional mobility and activities, manual muscle testing, goniometry, and an introduction to principles of exercise through a study of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. The laboratory will allow for hands-on practice and application of the concepts and skills necessary for the understanding of human movement.

This course introduces students to the concepts and skills of the manual techniques utilized by the physical therapist assistant. Laboratory practice will allow for safe and effective hands-on application of selected techniques including: palpation of body landmarks, muscles, and other soft tissues; soft-tissue mobilization; joint mobilization; and therapeutic massage.

This course includes an in-depth scientific analysis of human movement across the lifespan. Students will study normal postural alignment, gait, joint and muscle actions with an emphasis on functional mobility and activities, manual muscle testing, muscle length testing, goniometry, and an introduction to principles of exercise through a study of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. Laboratory will allow for hands-on practice and application of the concepts and skills necessary for the understanding of normal human movement.

This course is a continuation of PHTA 1172 and presents students with a body systems approach to the etiology, pathology, signs/symptoms, risk factors, and prognosis and medical treatment of specific diseases and conditions across the lifespan often seen in physical therapy. Students will further explore the behavioral, social, and environmental factors contributing to disease and dysfunction as well as the psychosocial-spiritual impact on health care. Primary systems of study include the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal other special systems. Students will study the fundamental basis of diseases and conditions and discuss related physical therapy implications. This course may be taught in an on-line or hybrid format.

Professionalism through effective verbal and nonverbal communication with all members of the healthcare delivery team, the patient-caregiver interaction, interpersonal skills, and cultural sensitivity will be further reinforced. Students will learn techniques to provide psycho-social support for patients, families, and classmates. Individual cultural, religious and socio-economic differences will be explored, as will how these impact a person's response to therapy. Emphasis is placed on developing students' awareness of contributing positively to society and the patient care experience through their individual roles as Physical Therapist Assistants.

This 200-hour clinical experience is designed to introduce students to the healthcare setting through interaction in a physical therapy setting. This course provides a combination of observation and hands-on practice of selected physical therapy interventions in a closely supervised clinical setting with ongoing communication between the student, clinical instructor and academic faculty. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking and student self-awareness for ongoing personal and professional development.

This course requires students to apply previously learned concepts and skills to selected orthopedic patient conditions. Laboratory practice will allow hands-on application of selected data collection skills including: gait and balance; joint integrity and mobility; manual muscle testing; pain; postural alignment; goniometry; and edema. In addition, students will apply therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to: functional training; stretching and strengthening; postural awareness; utilization of exercise equipment; and establishment and implementation of a HEP. Students will develop the ability to safely and effectively implement progress, adjust and document interventions to patient conditions across the life span utilizing critical thinking while following the established plan of care developed by the physical therapist.

This course requires students to apply previously learned concepts and skills to selected neurological patient conditions. Laboratory practice will allow hands-on application of selected data collection skills including: arousal, mentation, and cognition; assistive devices; gait, balance, and locomotion; neuromotor development; and postural alignment. In addition, students will apply therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to: functional training; balance and coordination training; postural awareness training; neuromotor rehabilitation techniques; and establishment and implementation of a HEP. Students will develop the ability to safely and effectively implement progress, adjust and document interventions to patient conditions across the life span utilizing critical thinking while following the established plan of care developed by the physical therapist.

This course requires students to apply previously learned concepts and skills to selected cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, and integumentary conditions with integration of other systems as applicable. Laboratory practice will allow hands-on application of selected data collection skills including: aerobic capacity and endurance; assistive, adaptive, orthotic, and prosthetic devices; integumentary integrity; postural alignment; and ventilation and respiration examination. In addition, students will apply therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to: prosthetic and orthotic functional training; sterile techniques; wound management; and establishment and implementation of a HEP. Students will develop the ability to safely and effectively implement, progress, adjust, and document interventions to patient conditions across the life span utilizing critical thinking while following the established plan of care developed by the physical therapist.

This course provides the opportunity for student discussion, sharing of clinical experiences and student presentations related to their clinical experiences. As the final preparation before entering the profession, topics will include: board exam review, licensure, job skills, practitioner roles, determining areas of clinical interest and legal and ethical issues.

This 240-hour clinical education experience is designed to simulate full-time clinical work, allowing students to perform physical therapy interventions and procedures with increased hands-on patient care in a supervised clinical setting with ongoing communication between the student, clinical instructor and academic faculty. Students will continue to develop professional skills and behaviors as well as critical thinking skills to advance patient care interventions.

This 240-hour clinical education experience is the culmination of all academic and clinical education preparation and is designed to simulate full-time clinical work, allowing students to practice advanced skills and interventions in a supervised clinical setting with ongoing communication between the student, clinical instructor and academic faculty. Emphasis is placed on mastery of entry-level skills in all communication, patient care interventions, and interactions with patients, families/caregivers, the public and other health care workers.

This course expands upon previous Physical Therapist Assistant program coursework with an emphasis on special patient populations and topics in physical therapy. Students will develop the ability to safely and effectively implement, progress, adjust, and document interventions for these selected patient populations utilizing critical thinking while following the established plan of care developed by the physical therapist.