Issues in Health Care Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Allied Health Building, Room 122</p>

Office Hours

Tuesday 1:30-3:00 pm or by appointment

 

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

PTHA-2317-001 Issues in Health Care

Prerequisites

<p>Prerequisites: PTHA 1260, PTHA 1301, PTHA 1321, PTHA 1405, PTHA 1413, PTHA 1431, PTHA 2301, PTHA 2305, PTHA 2409, PTHA 2431, and PTHA 2409.</p> <p>Corequisites: PTHA 2567</p>

Course Description

Organizational patterns, administrative principles, legal and ethical issues in physical therapy, and preparation for licensure and employment.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The textbook for this course is Scorebuilders PTA Exam: The Complete Study Guide 2018 Edition by Giles.  Students will be required to purchase the PEAT Online Exam as per the instructor's directions to complete this course successfully.

Supplies

 Computer with internet access

Student Performance

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:  This course is designed to prepare the student for development of job placement skills, interpretation of legal and ethical issues, preparation for the national licensing exam, and exploration of organizational patterns and practices in physical therapy and health care.

Course Objectives

1.Identify the required steps for obtaining PTA licensure.

2. Design a written resume that highlights professional qualities.

3. Develop a written plan to guide the review process for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for Physical Therapist Assistants.

4. Demonstrate the knowledge base of an entry-level physical therapist assistant by obtaining a passing grade on a mock licensure examination.

5. Demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with those expected of an entry-level PTA through displaying all Professional Behaviors at the entry-level.

6. Demonstrate the importance of personal and professional growth as related to a commitment to life-long learning.

7. Integrate appropriate professional resources into a patient case study highlighting evidence-based assessment techniques and treatment interventions from within the physical therapist’s plan of care (7D11).

8. Describe the impairments, activity, and participation limitations for a patient treated during clinical education experiences utilizing the ICF model of disability (7D16).

9. Describe the process for reporting suspected cases of abuse of vulnerable populations (7D2).

10. Describe the process for reporting suspected cases of fraud and abuse related to the utilization of and payment for physical therapy and other health care services (7D3).

11. Compare common reimbursers for physical therapy and other health services.

12. Integrate appropriate resources on health care reimbursement for mock patient case scenarios.

13. Utilize the RIPS model of ethical decision making to implement a plan of action in response to an ethical situation, demonstrating sound moral reasoning congruent with core professional ethics and values (7D6).

14. Interpret the components of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant for ethical scenarios (7D6).

15. Compose a self-assessment regarding professional performance during the program’s terminal clinical education experiences utilizing the APTA’s Value Based Behaviors for the Physical Therapist Assistant (7D5).

16. Compare different PTA career and lifelong learning opportunities (7D14).

17.Recognize issues related to cultural and socioeconomic diversity as it relates to the health care environment (7D8).

18. Compose a letter to a policymaker advocating for physical therapy services.

19. Discuss current professional issues within physical therapy with classmates and faculty members.

20. Describe and compare organizational structures, operations, and planning within different physical therapy services.

21. Complete a Quality Assurance chart review to determine accuracy for mock patient case scenarios (7D29).

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Learners must attend, prepare, and study to be successful. Learners are expected to be present for all classes and are responsible for all information presented, assigned, and assessed in order to be successful in this course. It is the learner’s responsibility to turn in all assigned work, complete all projects, and complete all assigned readings for the course. It is the learner’s responsibility to read, understand and keep in possession a copy of the course syllabus. The learner is expected to participate in all class activities.
 
Students are to read the Amarillo College "Student Rights and Responsibilities" handout http://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=12&navoid=426 with emphasis placed on the Academic Information, Student Conduct and Responsibilities, and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education/Prevention Program sections. 
 

Students will not use cell phones in the classroom. All such devices must be placed on silent mode and kept stored. If a student expects that there may be some type of emergency situation, the student should inform the instructor prior to the beginning of class. Unauthorized use of cell phones in class will result in the student being asked to leave the class and being counted absent for the lecture.

 When asked, the student will attend class in professional dress including black, navy, or khaki pants for men and women or skirt for women, shirt with collar, shirt able to be tucked into pants at waist upon request, and closed toe white tennis shoe or colored dress shoe with heel not exceeding 1 inch with socks or hosiery to compliment pant/skirt. Amarillo College Badge/ID's are also part of the professional dress to be worn and are expected whenever the student is participating in off-campus program-related activities.
 
Jewelry and cologne are to be kept to a minimum. No tattoos are allowed to be seen or shown at off-campus activities. Piercings allowed are a single pair of ear studs for women only. All other piercings on men and women must be removed prior to entering off-campus sites. If professional dress code is not followed the student will receive a 0 grade for the day, will not be allowed to accompany the class on assignment and will not have an option to makeup the assignment.
 
Courtesy and respect are expected between the learner and instructor. Learners are expected to be attentive to instructor and guests and oral presentations of other learners. Learners are to extend highest respect to patients/clients/others when making off campus contact. Lack of regard to this expectation at any time by any single learner or group of learners may result in immediate dismissal of the learner/s from the situation by the instructor, guest lecturer, or patient/client/other.
 
Dishonesty in the classroom or in completing any assignment will not be tolerated.  Students demonstrating academic dishonesty as defined in the "Student Rights and Responsibilities" publication will receive a grade of "F" in the course and will be subject to all PTA Program policies regarding course failure.
 
Student Grievance: A student who has a problem with the course or course instructor should make every attempt to resolve the problem with the course instructor.  If that is not successful, the student may appeal the decision of the instructor to the program director, Allied Health Dean, Dean of Instruction, and the Amarillo College President - IN THAT ORDER.

 

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA:

            Journal Entries                                 5%   

             Quizzes                                          5%

            Discussion Posts                              5%

            Journal Article Reviews                    15%

            Tests                                               10%

            Resume                                          10%

            Case Study                                     25%

             Capstone Exam                              25%

 

GRADING SCALE

A = 100-92.5

B = 92.4-83.5

C = 83.4-74.5

F=74.4-0 

 

Note: A grade of C or better is required to complete the PTA major.  The student must attain a passing grade (74.5%) on the Final Capstone Exam in order to achieve notification of completion of the Amarillo College Physical Therapist Assistant Program to the appropriate State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. This is required by the State before a PTA license can be issued.

 

Attendance

ATTENDANCE: “Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.”  Therefore, students enrolled in the PTA program are expected to attend all lectures, labs, and clinical experiences, and will be held accountable for obtaining all information presented during these times.  Attendance is required for successful completion of all lectures and labs in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.  At the beginning of each lecture and lab, students will be expected to sign the roster provided by the course instructor.  Even if a student is present in class and seen by the instructor, failure to sign in will result in the student being marked absent for attendance purposes.  Each student will be allowed only one absence per lecture course and two absences for lecture/lab courses in the PTA program.  After one/two absence(s), a penalty of five points will be deducted from the student’s final course grade for each subsequent absence.  A student will be considered “tardy” if he/she arrives to class 1-10 minutes late or leaves before the instructor dismisses the class.  Two “tardies” will be considered one absence.  Students arriving to class after 10 minutes will not be permitted to enter the lecture or lab until the next course begins.  Exceptions to this policy will only be made under extenuating circumstances and only if the course instructor receives the appropriate written documentation to support the event within 5 days of the absence.

 

If a student is absent, it is the student's responsibility to get any missed notes/assignments from other students enrolled in the course and to seek clarification of any information from the instructor.

 

Make-ups are not allowed for quizzes, homework, or the final exam.  Students should expect to make-up a missed exam on the day they return to class.  If the instructor is unable to administer the exam on this date, an alternative time will be established.  The make-up exam may vary in format and will have 5 points deducted from the grade.

Calendar

This course is a 3 hour hybrid course.  The on-campus portion is tentatively scheduled for the weeks of 1/15/18 &  5/07/18. Attendance is mandatory for all students. Times and location to be announced.

PTHA 2317 Issues in Health Care (96 Contact Hours)

2018 Schedule

Week 1

  • Introduction to Clinicals
  • Introduction to Resumes and Interview Skills
  • Discussion of the Realm-Individual Process-Situation (RIPS) Model of Ethical Decision Making

Week 2

  • APTA Standards of Ethical Conduct
  • APTA Values-Based Behaviors for the PTA
  • Ethical Dilemmas

Week 3

  • Benefits of APTA Membership
  • Advocacy for the Physical Therapy Profession

Week 4

  • Regulation of Health Care Facilities
  • Case Study

Week 5

  • Texas Rules and Practice Act

Week 6

  • Interview Skills
  • Texas Rules and Practice Act Continued

Week 7

  • Patient Advocacy
  • Resumes

Week 8

  • Professional Development for the PTA

Week 9; Spring Break

Week 10

  • Teamwork/Collaboration

Week 11

  • Resume and Cover Letter due on 3/26/18
  • Reimbursement

Week 12

  • Quality Assurance and Improvement

Week 13

  • Case Study Rough Draft Due

Week 14

  • Legal Issues

Week 15

  • Final Case Study Due
  • Professionalism

Week 16

  • Completed Resume Due

Week 17; Finals Week and Commencement

  • Capstone Exam (2nd Opportunity--Location and time to be announced)
  • Career Launch
  •  Wrap-Up (on-campus classes)
  • Job Fair

 

Additional Information

 No late work will be accepted; therefore, the student is encouraged to closely monitor all due dates.

Case Study:

During the semester the student will be required to submit 1 case study based on a patient treated during the final practicum experiences.  This assignment must be at least 6 pages in length (not including title page and references) and must be written in AMA format.  A minimum of 5 references must be included with at least 4 of these references from peer-reviewed articles.  If sources are not correctly cited in your paper, this will be considered plagiarism and will result in a failing grade for the assignment.  The student must adhere to all guidelines for essay submission.

Tests:

Two online tests will be completed during this course.  Although the student will be required to utilize computer resources to complete the tests, the student will NOT be allowed to collaborate with peers/others during the completion of these tests.  Collaboration with another individual before, during, or after the test will be considered cheating.

Journal Entry Assignments:

The student will be required to complete Journal Entries for this course.  Journal Entry Assignments will generally be opened on the Monday before their due date.  Each Drop Box will contain specific instructions for its completion.  In general, journal entry assignments will be due by 11:59 pm on Sundays.

Posts:

The student will be required to complete Discussion Board Assignments for this course.  Discussion Board Assignments will generally be opened the Monday before their due date.  In addition to the original posts, students will be required to provide at least 2 meaningful responses to their colleagues each week.  These responses are due on the same day as the post (usually 11:59 pm on Sunday).  Students should be diligent in submitting their posts early in the week to allow colleagues to read and comment.  All posts and responses should reflect original thoughts/opinions.  The grading rubric to be utilized for Posts/Responses will be posted in lessons.  If a student’s posts are submitted late on Sunday without ample time to allow other students to read and comment, the grades for the posts will be negatively affected.  Posts will not be considered for grading until the initial post and the 2 responses have been completed.

Resume:

The student is required to complete a professional resume during this course. The resume will be submitted through the Assignment Dropbox as a Word Document (not a pdf file).  Although there is no specific format required for the resume, the student is encouraged to browse online examples of resumes when completing the assignment.  Please do not pay for resume services in order to complete this assignment.

Comprehensive Final:

The capstone final exam will be provided by the FSBPT in the form of the PEAT.  This computerized final will cost $79 for 2 exams and will be administered in the computer lab.  All students enrolled in the PTA program are required to pass a comprehensive final.  Thus, students failing to pass the PEAT capstone final on the initial try will have two more opportunities to pass different version of the comprehensive final during the semester.  Additional testing will be required in the summer if a student fails to pass the comprehensive final after 3 attempts.

Syllabus Created on:

01/12/18 3:58 PM

Last Edited on:

02/22/18 9:36 PM