Practicum I Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

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.

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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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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-2567-001 Practicum I

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: PTHA 1260, PTHA 1301, PTHA 1321, PTHA 1405, PTHA 1413, PTHA 1431, PTHA 2301, PTHA 2409, PTHA 2431, and PTHA 2435. Corequisites: PTHA 2317

Course Description

Practical general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, college and student.

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

(5 sem hrs; 35 clinical)

Class Type

Clinical

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

REQUIRED:

Full access to the clinical education web-based platform at Trajecsys, (http://www.trajecsys.com).

Supplies

The student will be required to dress in professional attire as indicated by the assigned clinical facility. The student is also expected to have a student ID from Amarillo College. The student is also responsible for following dress code as indicated in PTA student handbook as well as AC student handbook.

Student Performance

COURSE  OBJECTIVES

Practicum I (1st Clinical)

 

1. Demonstrate the ability to consistently perform safe, effective, and competent physical therapy assessment skills and treatment interventions from within the physical therapist’s plan of care for routine patients with minimal supervision and guidance by the physical therapist

 

2. Demonstrate the ability to provide timely and relevant documentation and communication to the physical therapist regarding all aspects of patient status, patient treatment and patient response to the treatment with occasional guidance from the physical therapist

 

3. Demonstrate the ability to participate in the teaching of patients, family members/caregivers, other health care providers with occasional guidance from the physical therapist

 

4. Demonstrate the ability to perform appropriate patient communication in a culturally competent manner, with minimal guidance from the physical therapist

 

5. Demonstrate critical thinking in the implementation of the plan of care through regular and relevant communication with the supervising therapist.

 

6. Demonstrate the ability to participate in routine administrative procedures of the clinic, including billing and performance improvement activities, with occasional guidance

 

7. Recognize administrative roles and duties through attendance at departmental meetings, committee meetings, and case conferences with other healthcare providers as appropriate

 

8. Consistently demonstrate appropriate legal and ethical behavior during skill performance and interactions with patients, family members, and other healthcare providers with occasional guidance from the supervising physical therapist for new or unusual situations

 

Practicum I (2^nd Clinical)

 

1. Demonstrate the ability to independently apply all PTA learned skills and knowledge by consistently and safely performing effective and competent physical therapy assessment skills and treatment interventions from the physical therapist’s plan of care for routine and complex patients with minimal supervision by the physical therapist

 

2. Demonstrate the ability to independently provide timely and relevant documentation and communication to the physical therapist regarding all aspects of patient status, patient treatment and patient response to treatment

 

3. Demonstrate the ability to independently provide effective education to patients, family members/caregivers, and other health care providers

 

4. Demonstrate the ability to independently perform appropriate patient communication in a culturally competent manner

 

5. Demonstrate critical thinking in the implementation of the plan of care through regular and relevant communication with the supervising therapist.

 

6.  Demonstrate the ability to perform administrative procedures of the clinic, including billing, insurance requirements and performance improvement activities, with guidance for new or unusual situations.

 

7.  Recognize administrative roles and duties through attendance at departmental meetings, committee meetings, and case conferences with other healthcare providers as appropriate.

 

8.  Consistently and independently demonstrate appropriate legal and ethical behavior during skill performance and interactions with patients, family members, and other healthcare providers

 

9.  Consistently demonstrate entry level Professional Behaviors in all interactions with patients, family members/caregivers, physical therapy personnel, and other health care providers by displaying all Professional Behaviors at entry level

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

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Students demonstrating academic dishonesty as defined in the “Students Right and Responsibilities” handout will receive a grade of “F” in the course and will be subject to all PTA program policies regarding course failure.

STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

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 program director, chairman of allied health division, the dean of instruction, and the president - IN THAT ORDER.

Grading Criteria

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Observation, demonstration, return demonstration, supervised provision of care to patient within a clinical setting.

GRADING CRITERIA:

First Tier for Passing Grade:

• Students will be expected to have met entry level performance for all the required skills in the Trajecsys CI Evaluation of Student Performance.  Essential skills designated by the statement in red are the required skills.
• The student is required to be at entry level for 80% of all skills which were available at the site. 

Any additional skill that is unique to the facility needs to be at least a 3 out of 4.

Student is required to be at entry level at the completion of the second 7 week clinical rotation. If the student is not at entry level the student will receive a failing grade. This grade will be formulated on the basis of the student’s performance as well as the interview with the CI. If the student is deemed to be below entry level upon completion of the second 7 week clinical rotation, the student will be required to complete a 3rd full time practicum rotation. If unsuccessful at the end of the third full time practicum rotation the student will be dismissed from the PTA Program and will be unable to sit for the licensure exam.

Grade Calculation:

• Skill Acquisition¹                              70%  
• Attendance²                                      10%       
• ACCE Grade³                                    20%                                                          
• Total = FINAL GRADE                    100%

GRADING SCALE:

• A= 100 - 92
• B= <92 - 83.5
• C= <83.4 - 76
• F= 76-0

¹Skill Acquisition: Two scores will be averaged for the SKILL ACQUISITION on the skills available at the facility.

• Performance Score: ratio of acquired points divided by possible points
• Skill Score: Percentage of skills which meet entry level 4. Each 4 is worth 1 point; 3 = .5; 2 or below = 0.

² Attendance: The student will obtain an attendance as outlined below. The student shall clock in and out each day on Trajecsys and document any absence or tardy. Absences and tardies will result in penalties, unless excused by the CI and the ACCE. While some incidental errors in recording time. A penalty of 10 points to the Attendance grade will be given if clock error rate exceeds 10%. The student is not responsible for internet disruptions. 

³ACCE: This a calculated grade based on the following criteria:

• Performance on Documentation Examples (2 examples, 1 from each clinical site)            30% of ACCE grade
• Weekly Summaries (7 submissions per clinical site)                                                              40% of ACCE grade
• Daily Log Sheet (5 per week)                                                                                                     20% of ACCE grade

• Inservice grades (1 for each clinical)                                                                                        10% of ACCE grade

Possible Factors Resulting in an Automatic Failure 

1. An inability to accomplish a minimum of skills as designated above.
2. A failure to submit required evaluations through Trajecsys.
3. A failing evaluation by the Clinical Instructor due to poor performance that could not be resolved.
4. Non-compliance with Facility and Program Attendance Policy Requirements without special permission given by the Clinical Instructor at the Facility, as well as by the Academic Coordinator for Clinical Education of the Program who additionally serves as the instructor for PTHA 1260.
5. Request from the Clinical Instructor or representative of the Clinical Facility to withdraw the student from the facility.

6. Withdrawal of the student from the facility by the ACCE due to non-compliance with requirements of the class or extenuating circumstances.***

ALL FINAL GRADES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ACCE/PROGRAM DIRECTOR FROM AMARILLO COLLEGE AND CAN BE MODIFIED AS NEEDED TO REFLECT THE STUDENT’S OVERALL PERFORMANCE ON THIS CLINICAL.

Completion of all required evaluations on Trajecsys.  

The PTA should maintain a packet of the following documents/items in front pocket: copy of all updated immunizations, flu vaccine, CPR card, copy of liability insurance, as well as clinic ID badge.

Each student will submit 1 documentation example for Week 6. These are in addition to the notes that are required by your CI during your rotation. The note is to be uploaded to Blackboard by midnight on Friday of the Week 6. The notes are to be written on your actual patients with all personal identifying information removed (name, address, birth date, medical record number, etc.) YOUR CI MUST APPROVE THE NOTES BEFORE YOU SUBMIT TO VERIFY CORRECT THE REMOVAL OF PHI. These notes will be used to grade documentation skills. Areas such as organization of the information, formatting of the information, use of appropriate language, placement of information in appropriate sections, and overall documentation skills will be evaluated.

The student must provide an inservice to the site employees. The student must submit a copy of the handout for the presentation by the end of the clinical.

***The clinical instructor maintains the right to terminate the clinical. Based on the circumstances and justifications of the termination, the student may or may not be offered another site to complete that clinical cycle, offered a chance to repeat the clinical at that site or another site, or may be dismissed from the program. This decision would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis through a faculty ad-hoc review process if the student completes and submits a formal request. 

Attendance

Attendance: "Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend classes and clinical assignments as scheduled." All absences must be reported to the CI in a method acceptable to the CI and to Nancy Lewis PT,ScD, OCS, COMT or  Sue Grady PT , DPT, Program Director, by telephone, text, or email, prior to the start of the scheduled workday.

Attendance Policy for Clinical or Practicum Attendance

1. Attendance will comprise 10% of the final grade for the clinical or practicum.

   1. Each student begins with 100 points.

   2. Each tardy results in a 5-point deduction.

   3. Each absence results in a 10-point deduction.

   4. Each time the student leaves early will result in a 5-point deduction.

2. Routine or health maintenance appointments need to be scheduled outside of clinical and practicum times or scheduled during break times.

3. Each acute illness episode (for self or child) requires a primary health care provider’s verification to avoid a penalty.

4. Transportation failures will result in a penalty.

5. The student is required to arrive to the clinic early enough to be at the designated work station and ready to work at the start of the clinic day.

6. Each student will clock in through www.trajecsys.com upon arrival at the work station and clock out when they leave the workstation.

7. The student must recover the hours missed if the clinic is open and the appropriate licensed PT or PTA is willing, on-site, and able to provide legally required supervision of the student.

8. The student is not required to recover hours missed which were due to the clinic's closure for a holiday, for a low-census day or early closure day, or for the absence of an appropriate licensed PT or PTA to provide legally required supervision.

9. The method to recover hours will be chosen by the site clinical instructor and could result in extended days, weekend hours, extension of clinical duration, or failure of the clinical.

10. Failure of Practicum 1 results in dismissal from the program.

11. Extenuating or unusual situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis through a faculty ad-hoc review process if the student completes and submits a formal request.

 

Calendar

Additional Information

This clinical is coordinated by the ACCE of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The course is designed to provide an opportunity for the students to provide supervised physical therapy treatment as it is being applied in the clinical area. As the student masters PT competencies in the laboratory setting, they can assist the Physical Therapist in administering therapy in a clinical environment.This course will also reinforce the documentation skills learned in Basic Pt. Care Skills by requiring notes on patients seen in the clinical environment.

Successful completion of the following courses:

BIOL 2401 and 2402, PTHA 1301, PTHA 1405,  PTHA 1413, PTHA 2301, PTHA 2409.

Safety Procedures: In case of an emergency the student needs to call the Safety and security department at 9-371-5163 at the Amarillo and ask for security after receiving emergency care at the clinical site or emergency facility.

Student Injury Website: www.actx.edu/allied_health/index. If an injury occurs the student needs to follow steps on this website as well as notify the ACCE.

CLINIC DRESS CODE:

The student is to follow the dress code of the specific clinic he/she is attending while adhering to AC/PTA program student handbook policies. General rules consistent with the handbook are below:

• Personal hygiene should be acceptable for maintaining a clean environment with reduction of cross contamination and appropriate for work that requires close personal contact.
• Tattoos must be discretely covered as required by the clinical site.
• Piercing jewelry is only acceptable in the ear lobes with small, discrete post earrings and/or in the top of the ear. All other visible piercing jewelry must be removed.
• Makeup should be modest.
• Long hair should tied back. 
• Fingernails must be short, clean, and kept in a natural state.
• Clothing should be clean and free of wrinkles.
• Shoes should be basically flat, closed, and clean.
• Use of fragrances in cosmetics, hair care, lotions, colognes, or perfumes needs to be minimal.

Practicum I is coordinated by Nancy Lewis PT, ScD, OCS, COMT, the ACCE of the Physical Therapist Assistant program. 

Instruction methods: Clinical experience

Each student is expected to frequently check for announcements/e-mails through Blackboard for updated information. This will also be the primary form of communication for the student to contact me if there are any questions or concerns while they are on the rotation. I may also be contacted by cell phone: (806)-341-8530. Please share this phone number with CCCE as well as CI.

Last day to Drop/Withdraw: April 18, 2022. Any student not withdrawn by April 18, 2022 will receive the grade earned.

IN CASE OF INJURY SUSTAINED ON CLINICAL:

http://www.actx.edu/allied_health/index.php?module=article&op=print&id=33 

This website is to be used for student injuries while on clinical rotation.

Amarillo College Resources link: https://www.actx.edu/resources

The ACCE reserves the right to modify this syllabus if necessary to meet changes in circumstances.