PTA - Physical Therapist Assistant

This course presents the global aspect of the physical therapist assistant profession. It explores the historical and current scope of the Physical Therapy Profession, legal and ethical issues, intercultural communication, and psychosocial aspects. It discusses the role of the physical therapist assistant as a member of the healthcare team in the delivery of rehabilitation services. The course addresses the educational and licensing requirements for a physical therapist assistant prior to entering the healthcare work force.

This course is designed to present students with a detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the muscular and skeletal systems. Students are exposed to muscle proximal/distal attachments, actions and nerve innervations of the major muscle groups of the neck, trunk, upper and lower extremities. Students will be provided an opportunity to practice the palpation skills that are relevant to the practice of physical therapy.

This course provides a systems-based approach to anatomy and physiology including normal structure and function as well as dysfunction of the neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, endocrine, immunological and other systems. Students will learn how to associate and apply normal structure and function to frequently treated disease processes, pathologies and dysfunctions seen in physical therapy. Upon successful course completion, students will be able to describe the anatomy and physiology of body systems, define common pathologies seen in physical therapy and apply this knowledge to clinical practice.

This course introduces the physical therapist assistant student to the various aspects of physical therapy and develops basic patient care skills, functional skills, assessment skills, and measurement techniques. It examines the assistive devices available to the physical therapy professional. The course introduces the process of documentation following the SOAP note format. 

The course focuses on the correlation of the neurological, muscular, and skeletal aspects in human motion. It provides a straightforward perspective of human anatomy and its relation to both functional and dysfunctional movements. This course presents an overview of the value of physical therapy in the rehabilitation process of a person with a neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunction.

This course introduces the principles and methodologies of assessment techniques utilized by the physical therapist assistant in the physical therapy profession. These principles and methodologies are a fundamental requisite to the study of evaluation of joint range of motion and muscle strength. 

This course presents the basic principles and use of physical modalities in the rehabilitation process. The course involves the application of the composite theoretical knowledge in modifying, progressing, or discontinuing the use of physical modalities in the physical therapy plan of care. 

This course presents the basic principles and techniques of therapeutic exercise in the rehabilitation process. The course involves the application of the composite theoretical knowledge in modifying, progressing, or discontinuing the use of therapeutic exercise in the physical therapy plan of care. 

This course addresses the common medical and surgical conditions encountered in physical therapy practice. It explores the basic concepts of disease processes including pathophysiology, inflammation, healing, and infection. This course focuses on the physical therapy intervention and specifically the role of a PTA in the rehabilitation process of musculoskeletal conditions. It explores the basic concepts of pharmacology and effects of immobility, stress and pain. This course also includes the classic or common physical therapy plan of care/protocols and establishes the justification for progression, modification or discontinuation of physical therapy intervention. 

This course addresses the common medical and surgical conditions encountered in physical therapy practice. It explores the basic concepts of disease processes including pathophysiology, inflammation, healing, and infection. This course focuses on the physical therapy intervention and specifically the role of a PTA in the rehabilitation process of cardiopulmonary conditions. This course also includes the classic or common physical therapy plan of care-protocols and establishes the justification for progression, modification or discontinuation of physical therapy intervention. 

This course provides an integrated approach to basic neuroscience and applied neuro-rehabilitation. It presents practical applications for the functional implications of neurological damage. The course addresses the value and distinctness of physical therapy for the developing, mature, and aging neurological patient.

This course will present the basic adaptive, assistive, protective, supportive, orthotic and prosthetic devices used in the physical therapy profession. The course involves the application of the composite theoretical knowledge in modifying, progressing, or discontinuing the use of such treatment or devices in the physical therapy plan of care. 

This course presents the biopsychosocial aspects of the human lifespan from conception through death. It studies the biological changes that occur from birth to dying. It addresses the psychosocial influences, changes, and adaptations of the human being during his/her lifespan. 

The focus of this full-time clinical education experience is to introduce the student to a physical therapy clinical setting for the first time. Prior to the first day of clinical attendance, the student will complete a series of lab activities and foundational skill checkoffs to ensure safety and competency. During the clinical experience, the student works under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in an approved facility. The facility provides learning experiences consistent with the student's level of knowledge. The clinical education experience allows opportunities to implement the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom/laboratory setting.

The focus of this full-time clinical education experience is to provide the student with a clinical working environment under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in an approved facility. The facility provides learning experiences consistent with the student's level of knowledge. This clinical education experience allows opportunities to continue refining the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom and laboratory settings and utilize them in a clinical setting. The students will continue to develop their critical thinking skills in providing care to their patients. Students will require less supervision for previously learned skills. Upon completion of the experience, students will participate in intermediate critical thinking skills competencies within the lab environment.

The focus of this full-time clinical experience is to validate the level of independence gained in areas of patient care, documentation, and professionalism as a physical therapist assistant student. Prior to attending this clinical experience, the student will complete a series of lab activities working with the more medically complex patient, layering in more advanced critical thinking, and compound psychosocial issues. The student will work towards independence in all aspects of the scope of physical therapy clinical practice. This clinical experience allows the student to establish a comfort level and confidence with the facility, supervising therapist, and patients. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to follow the progression from initial evaluation through discharge with a multitude of different rehabilitation opportunities.

The focus of this full-time terminal clinical experience is to validate the level of independence gained in areas of patient care, documentation, communication, and professionalism as a physical therapist assistant student.  The student will work towards independence in all aspects of the scope of physical therapy practice and will achieve entry-level clinical competency upon completion in preparation for the National Physical Therapist Assistant board examination. This clinical education experience allows the student to refine professional interactions and have a basic understanding of departmental administrative mechanisms and expectations. Upon completion of the clinical education experience within the clinical setting, the student will return to laboratory activities to demonstrate competent safe care of patients throughout the continuum of care.  Upon completion of the course, the student will be prepared to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist in the delivery of rehabilitative care.

This course prepares students for the National Physical Therapy Exam for the Physical Therapist Assistant through analysis of information taught during their didactic, laboratory and clinical coursework as well as facilitating proper study, review and examination taking techniques. Valuable career and professional development strategies are also discussed.