Basic Patient Care Skills Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-1405-001 Basic Patient Care Skills

Prerequisites

Course Description

The application of basic patient handling, functional skills, communication and selected data collection techniques.

Student Resources Student 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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Supplies

Laptop

Black Scrubs

Student Performance

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The application of basic patient handling, functional skills, communication and selected data collection techniques.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Successful completion of the Amarillo College PTA Program and achievement of a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination allows the graduate eligibility for licensure as a physical therapist assistant in all 50 states of the United States.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Students demonstrating academic dishonesty as defined in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities” handout will receive a grade of “F” in the course and will be subject to all PTA program policies regarding course failure. CUEING ANOTHER PERSON DURING AN PRACTICAL OR LECTURE EXAM, APPLICATION, OR SKILLS CHECK-OFF WILL BE CONSIDERED CHEATING.

COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goals: Through the course textbook, personal notes, handouts, direct instruction, and other material, the student should begin to demonstrate competence with components of the following requisite skills identified by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education:

1. Apply the laws and regulations governing physical therapy practice to course-related skills.
2. Demonstrate appropriate professional behaviors in all interactions with classmates and instructors by displaying all Professional Behaviors at the beginning level

Communication

1. Utilize correct medical terminology and abbreviations
2. Identify strategies for guiding dialog with the patient/client to appropriate subjects and issues.
3. Demonstrate the ability to obtain essential subjective information from patients and/or family members through interviewing to obtain current information about patient’s level of function and status

Body Mechanics and Transfers

1. Identify types of transfers used in the clinical setting.
2. Demonstrate the ability to competently perform common bed mobility and patient transfer techniques.
3. Recognize the different levels of patient function during bed mobility and transfers.
4. Demonstrate the ability to effectively educate another person on body mechanics training.
5. Describe proper body mechanics to lift, reach, push, pull, and carry objects.

Patient Positioning

1. Describe proper positioning of the trunk, head, and extremities with the patient supine, prone, side-lying, or sitting
2. Identify positions and postures that aggravate or relieve pain or altered sensations.
3. Identify areas prone to skin breakdown in a variety of patient positions.
4. Demonstrate the ability to competently position a patient in supine, prone, side-lying, and sitting.

Documentation

1. Compare each section of a SOAP note.
2. Accurately document a patient’s activities in the objective portion of the SOAP note including the patient’s functional capabilities and progress toward goals.
3. Compose a SOAP note demonstrating an understanding of short and long term goals from the physical therapist's initial evaluation.
4. Demonstrate the ability to accurately locate information in the medical record, based on an understanding of how medical record content is organized.
5. Compare documentation and discharge planning responsibilities of the PT and PTA.
6. Discuss the importance of discharge planning when a patient begins physical therapy.
7. Identify standards and criteria for documentation set by federal and state governments, professional associations, accrediting agencies, and health-care facilities.
8. Identify HMO's, PPO's, Medicare (parts A through D) and Medicaid.
9. Differentiate types of reimbursement for the PT and the PTA in specific health-care settings.

Aseptic Technique

1. Recognize the principles and concepts of infection control.
2. Define and list indications for transmission-based precautions as well as understand the pathogens transmitted for airborne, droplet, and contact precautions.
3. Demonstrate the ability to work within a sterile field and to perform a sterile dressing change.
4. Demonstrate the ability to competently perform appropriate infection control techniques, including hand washing and donning and doffing personal protective equipment.
5. Compare infection control guidelines for the different patient isolation categories.

Wound Care

1. Identify the major types of wounds and ulcerations.
2. Recognize the indications and contraindications for various types of wound care treatments and dressings.
3. Demonstrate the ability to competently apply and remove wound dressings.
4. Identify precautions for dressing removal.
5. Recognize as viable and nonviable tissue.
6. Describe wound characteristics including bleeding, contraction, depth, drainage, location, odor, pigment, shape, size, tunneling, and undermining.

Assistive Devices/Gait Training

1. Identify the different assistive devices used in gait training.
2. Demonstrate common gait patterns utilized with walkers, crutches, and canes
3. Demonstrate the ability to competently perform appropriate gait training, including accurate fitting of the assistive device and appropriate patient guarding.
4. Compare the different levels of patient function during gait training.
5. Identify a patient and caregiver's ability to care for an assistive device
6. Recognize safety factors and potential changes in skin condition from while using assistive devices for gait

Wheelchairs

1. Identify the components and features of various wheelchairs.
2. List the standard measurements for an adult wheelchair.
3. Identify common problems with wheelchair fitting and positioning, including potential solutions.
4. Demonstrate appropriate wheelchair management and mobility techniques.

Vital Signs

1. Identify normal and abnormal vital sign values.
2. Describe the normal and abnormal changes in blood pressure, heart rate, breathing pattern, and respiration rate during exercise and positional changes.
3. Recognize responses to positional changes and activities
4. Recognize normal and abnormal changes in the direction and magnitude of patient’s state of arousal, mentation, and cognition

Anthropometric Characteristics

1. Demonstrate the ability to accurately assess height, weight, length, and girth.

ROM

1. Identify indications, contraindications, and precautions for passive range of motion, active assistive range of motion, and active range of motion.
2. Describe the planes of the body and the joint motions that take place within them.
3. Demonstrate the ability to competently perform passive range of motion for the major joints of the upper and lower extremities.

Special Equipment

1. Describe safe techniques when working with patients with catheters, IV’s, chest tubes, gastrostomy tubes, casts, telemetry, or traction
2. Identify the indications, contraindications and parameters of the tilt table and standing frame.

First Aid

1. Identify common signs symptoms, and the appropriate responses for various medical conditions, including fractures, severe bleeding, dislocations, shock, sprains, strains, orthostatic hypotension, hypoglycemia, and autonomic dysreflexia.
2. Describe precautions to improve safety and reduce patient and employee injury in the treatment setting.
3. Identify the appropriate response to common medical emergencies that occur in the clinical environment

Students 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

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Guidelines

Your Guide to Professional Success

Welcome!

Welcome to the PTA Program! These guidelines will help you develop the professional skills and habits you'll need as a healthcare provider. Your success is our priority, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Academic Excellence

Why it matters: Building strong academic habits now prepares you for your healthcare career.

What we expect:

• Review the "Student Rights and Responsibilities" handbook (focus on Academic Information, Student Conduct, and Alcohol/Drug Prevention sections)
• Complete all work honestly and independently
• Ask for help early if you're struggling

Academic integrity: Any form of cheating results in course failure. Individual assignments must be completed independently.

Professional Behavior

In the Classroom

• Technology: Keep devices on silent and stored unless we're using them for learning. If you expect an emergency call, let me know before class
• Engagement: Your participation helps everyone learn
• Respect: Show courtesy to instructors, guests, and classmates

In Clinical Settings

• Patient care: Always introduce yourself as a student and prioritize patient needs and confidentiality (legally required)
• Professionalism: Arrive on time, follow facility policies, and respect all staff
• Social media: Maintain professional standards in all online activity

Skills Development

Our support system:

• Practice in lab and "open lab" sessions with instructor supervision
• Skills check-offs using self, peer, and instructor evaluations
• One retake opportunity for failed practical exams (max grade: 75%)
• Timely feedback: lecture exams within 48 hours, practicals within 7 days

Professional Appearance

Purpose: Looking professional builds confidence and earns respect from patients and colleagues.

Please refer to handbook and program faculty instructions for any specific requirements.

Daily standards:

• Clean, neat, conservative clothing appropriate for healthcare
• Closed-toe, closed-heel non-slip shoes
• Hair clean and secured, natural colors only
• Minimal jewelry and fragrance, good hygiene, short clean nails

Field trips/professional events:

• Business attire: black scrub pants and shirts
• Amarillo College ID badge
• No jeans, t-shirts, shorts, or athletic wear

Lab activities:

• Clean athletic wear (shorts okay with compression shorts underneath)
• Be prepared to expose treatment areas for practice
• Removable layers as needed

Exams:

• Sleeves above elbows, no watches/hats
• Cell phones for verification only, then stored
• Jackets zipped
• Black scrubs required for practical exams

If dress code isn't followed, you may miss activities for that day.

Technology & Communication

Stay connected:

• Email: Primary contact for course questions
• GroupMe: Class announcements and peer communication
• Emergency during class: Health Professions Secretary at (806) 354-6055

Required: Wi-Fi laptop for all coursework and testing

During class: Cell phones and Bluetooth devices stored unless specifically needed for learning activities

Participation & Collaboration

Healthcare is collaborative! We expect you to:

• Contribute to discussions and group work
• Support classmates while developing your own skills
• Participate in role-playing and simulated patient activities
• Work cooperatively with peers and faculty

Need accommodations? Speak with your instructor privately so we can work together to meet your learning needs.

Our Commitment to You

We're invested in your success! If you're struggling academically, professionally, or personally, please reach out early. Asking for help shows professional maturity.

This program will challenge you and prepare you for a meaningful career helping others. We're here to guide you every step of the way.

Questions? Ask during class or email me directly. Your success matters to us!

GRIEVANCE POLICY

A student who has a problem with the course or the 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 PTA Program Director, Dean of Health Professions/Division Committee, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the President – IN THAT ORDER.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria

Understanding Your Grades & Policies

Knowing how your grades are calculated and what's expected is key to succeeding! Here’s a breakdown:

How Your Grades Are Calculated

Your final grade in this course will be based on the following:

• Quizzes & Assignments:  10%

• Lecture Exams:  45% (This is an average of your lecture exam grades, not including the final.)

• Final Exam: 25% (This exam covers everything and can't be dropped.)

• Practical Exams: 20%

Passing the Course: The Basics

To pass this course, you need to:

• Average at least 75.0% for your overall grade.

• Complete ALL assignments successfully and meet all course objectives.

Practical Exams: Getting It Right

• Skill Checks: If you score below 75.0% on a lab practical, you'll get one chance to re-test before the course ends.

• Retake Grade: Even if you ace the retake, the highest grade you can earn is 75.0%.

• Safety First! You must show proficiency in ALL critical safety elements to pass the course. No exceptions! 

Assignments & Quizzes: Completing Your Work

• Quizzes & Submissions: These can be quick quizzes or assignments you submit. Sometimes they're graded with a simple check mark for satisfactory completion.

• Correcting Your Work: If your work isn't satisfactory, we'll send it back for you to correct and edit.

•  Failing to complete any single assignment satisfactorily will result in a ZERO for your entire assignment grade. 

If You Score Low on an Exam or Practical (79% or Below)

• REQUIRED Contact: If you score 79% or lower on any exam (lecture or practical), you MUST contact your instructor to talk about ways to improve. 

• Your Responsibility: It's your job to schedule this meeting.

• Tutoring Required: You'll also be required to schedule and attend tutoring at one of AC's tutoring centers. You can find locations here: www.actx.edu/tutoring/.  It is preferred that you schedule with the instructor, lab assistant, or peer tutor.

• Proof of Attendance: You'll need to bring proof of your tutoring attendance to your instructor. The number of sessions you'll need will be decided by your instructor.

Grading Scale

Here's how your final letter grade will be determined:

• A = 100-92.0%

• B = less than 92-84.0%

• C = less than 84-75.0%

• F = less than 75%

Important Note: You need a grade of C or better to successfully complete the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) major.

Late Work & Make-Up Policy

• Late Work: Late work is generally not accepted. If you have a serious reason, you must ask your instructor in writing for a new due date, but they don't have to grant it.

• Quizzes: Quizzes cannot be rescheduled.

• Missed Exams (Lecture or Practical): You might be able to reschedule a missed exam if:

  1. You request it in writing.

  2. You provide proof of why you missed the exam.

  3. You get written permission from your instructor.

  • Instructor's Call: Your instructor decides if she will allow a makeup and if there will be any point penalty.

  • Scheduling: Makeups are scheduled based on when your instructor is available.

  • Zero Grade: If permission isn't granted, you'll get a "0" for the exam.

  • Return to Class: Expect to take your makeup exam on the day you return to class, unless your instructor tells you otherwise.

• Dropping Grades: Your instructor may choose to drop an exam or practical grade, but this is entirely up to her.

• Practical Exam Retakes: If you fail a practical exam, you get one chance to retake it, but the highest grade you can get is 75.0%. Failing the practical exam retake will result in an "F" in the entire course.

Attendance

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class in accordance with the requirements of the course as established by the
instructor. (Amarillo College Student's Rights and Responsibilities Publication). Absences and tardiness will be monitored and evaluated in the Student Engagement Portal to determine a student's final course grade.

Students are expected to be present for the entire class/lab time. Students must report any anticipated class/lab absence to the instructor. Habitual late arrivals after the scheduled start time of class, extended breaks during class, or early departures are disruptive to the class. The student must directly report the reason for any tardiness to the instructor.

To minimize absences and lecture/lab disruptions, the student will earn points that will affect the final course grade. Upon earning 4 points, the final course grade will be dropped one letter grade. Points are earned as follows:

• Missing an entire lecture/lab class = 1 point
• Arriving late** to lecture/lab = 1/2 point
• Leaving lecture/lab early = 1/2 point
• Leaving class for any reason and returning = 1/2 point
• Working on non-class/lab materials in class/lab =  1/2 point

** The student is "late" to class if the student is not in the seat when class begins.

A student who plans to succeed in this course should also plan to regularly attend all lecture and laboratory sessions. Cases of excessive tardiness and absence will be handled on an individual basis and will require a formal counseling session.  Following this session, a departmental counseling form will be placed in your file.  The purpose of this form is to document that the student has been made aware that excessive absences are jeopardizing successful completion of this course. 

If a student is asked to leave a class due to disruption or lack of participation, the student will be
counted absent for that entire class and will have an additional assignment.

Following an absence, the student is responsible for obtaining missed notes, assignments, copies of handouts, etc. from classmates. The student is also responsible for obtaining any needed clarification of missed information from the course instructor.

If there is a period where remote access to classes is required because of public health situations, the attendance policies will be revised.

Calendar

Additional Information

LAST DATE TO DROP/WITHDRAW:   November 25, 2025

Any student not withdrawn by November 25, 2025 will receive the grade earned.

PHYSICAL RESTRICTIONS: The full participation in activities presented in this course may be limited by physical restrictions encountered by the student.  It is the responsibility of the student to let the instructor know if any of these restrictions apply to you.  All students are to avoid doing the VALSALVA maneuver during lifting activities.

Latex sensitivity- latex gloves during sterile techniques are to be avoided.  Notify the instructor by the 3rd day of classes so that alternative gloves can be provided.

The lead instructor reserves the right to modify and edit the course plan by notifying students of the change as soon as the change is planned or implemented.