The Profession of Physical Therapy Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Course

PTHA-1301-001 The Profession of Physical Therapy

Prerequisites

Course Description

Introduction to the profession of physical therapy and the role of the physical therapist assistant.

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:

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

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The Role of the Physical Therapist Assistant:  Regulations and Responsibilities, 2nd edition by Holly Clynch, 2017, published by FA Davis

Medical Terminology Simplified, 6th edition by Gylys and Masters, 2019, published by FA Davis

Supplies

Computer with internet access

 

Student Performance

This course is designed to provide student with a knowledge of the history, purpose, and scope of physical therapy and to help students recognize the roles and responsibilities of the Physical Therapist Assistant in physical therapy and the health care system. In order to successfully complete the Amarillo College Physical Therapist Assistant program, the student must successfully achieve a score of 600/800 points on the Capstone Exam. 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 therapy assistant in all 50 states of the United States.

Given the course textbook, personal notes, handouts and other material, the student should begin to demonstrate competence with components of the following requisite skills identified by CAPTE.

Course Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of physical therapy and the role of the physical therapist assistant.
2. Describe the history and development of the physical therapy profession.
3. Describe the American Physical Therapy Association, its function and structure.
4. Define the roles, responsibilities, and functions of the physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, and physical therapy aide.
5. Interpret the components of the APTA's Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant and laws governing physical therapy.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the APTA's Professionalism in Physical Therapy: Core Values.
7. Recognize the components of Values- Based Behaviors for the Physical Therapist Assistant.
8. Demonstrate the performance of duties consistent with the APTA Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant.
9. Identify the benefits available from participation in professional and service associations.
10. Recognize the role of the PTA in the clinical education of the PTA student
11. Demonstrate an awareness of social responsibility and the non-clinical roles of the PTA.
12. Identify opportunities available for the licensed physical therapist assistant including specializations, continuing education, and research opportunities.
13. Recognize the role of the PTA in discharge planning and follow-up as directed by the supervising physical therapist.
14. Demonstrate an understanding of the health care delivery system and the physical therapist assistant's role within the system.
15. Identify various physical therapy settings within the delivery system.
16. Recognize legal, fiscal, and ethical issues that affect physical therapy and the health care delivery system as a whole.
17. Identify the members of the interdisciplinary team and the roles of each member.
18. Describe factors having legal/ethical implications on patient interactions in physical therapy.
19. Identify the importance of patient and family education.
20. List commonly held stereotype beliefs about the following groups (cultural/ethnic groups, injured workers, and physically challenged).
21. Compose a paper on cultural competence issues.
22. Demonstrate understanding of patient confidentiality requirements and regulations.
23. Identify components of the Texas Practice Act and Rules and Regulations regarding the role of the physical therapist assistant.
24. Recognize societal expectations of members of a profession.
25. Describe how cultural and age diversity can impact communication with patients and family members/caregivers.
26. Demonstrate the ability to effectively perform an interview with a patient and caregiver.
27. Recognize various models of disability, including the ICF model.
28. Identify the psychosocial aspects of patient care including disability and death/dying issues.
29. Recognize the signs of abuse of vulnerable populations. 
30. Identify and utilize abbreviations and medical terminology common to the medical profession, with emphasis on those used in physical therapy.
31. Identify quality assurance activities used in physical therapy settings.
32. Define concepts and principles of continuous quality improvement.
33. Recognize the role of both verbal and non-verbal communication in physical therapy.
34. Discuss professional behaviors appropriate in both the classroom and clinical settings.
35. Compose a research paper on a physical therapy related organization.
36. Review a peer reviewed journal article for basic concepts of validity, reliability, and statistical significance.
37. Outline the organization/structure of typical physical therapy departments and healthcare organizations.
38. Compare common reimbursers for physical therapy and other health services
39. Integrate appropriate resources on healthcare reimbursement for mock patient case scenarios.

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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Expected Student Behavior

Grading Criteria

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, the student is responsible for class attendance. The student is expected to be seated and prepared to begin class at the designated time. At the beginning of each lecture and lab, attendance will be recorded in Blackboard.  A sign-in sheet may be available for tracking purposes. 

The student's attendance score is based on 100% for each on-time attendance and 50% for each tardy attendance. Habitual tardiness (at least once weekly event) will be addressed with the instructor. The attendance grade is calculated in the course grade as weighted by the instructor. 

Full attendance of class time is also expected. A student will be counted as "absent" if the student is out of class more than 20 minutes of a class time. For example, if in any given day a student arrives 15 minutes late to class, takes an extra 5 minutes for break and leaves class for 5 minutes for any reason (phone calls, appointments, bathroom breaks, illness), that is considered an "absence" for the day. This type of absence counts in the total number of absences resulting in lowering of the final course grade.

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.

The rules above apply to all unplanned absences. Prior approval of planned absences and approval of excused absences are solely at the discretion of the faculty based on the circumstances and reasons for absence. Written validation is required for any absence that is considered excused and exempt from this policy. 

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

Calendar

Additional Information

 

If you are in need of additional resources throughout the semester, please visit the following site https://www.actx.edu/resources/