Catalog - Course Descriptions

Introduces the physical therapist assistant student to introductory applications of rehabilitation. This course engages the student in hands-on application of rehabilitation and exposes the student to critical components necessary for safe and effective intervention.

Introduces the physical therapist assistant student to the foundations of anatomy and functional musculoskeletal concepts. Students will have the opportunity to learn and gain appreciation of the mechanics and physiology of the human body.

Exposes the physical therapist assistant to research based therapeutic interventions to allow for safe and effective clinical application of electrical, thermal, sound, electromagnetic, and mechanical based modalities.

Introduces the physical therapist assistant student to legal, moral, and ethical medical record keeping. The student will gain critical awareness in the art of defensible documentation.

Explores legal, moral, and ethical situations and dilemmas common in the realm of healthcare. This course provides insight to special considerations regarding professional behavior, fraud, litigation, and scope of practice.

Prerequisite: Admission to PTA Program. The clinical portion requires passing these courses with a "C" or better: PT210, PT220, and PT239. You will learn the foundational skills in the clinical setting including documentation, time management, professional behavior, self-management, legal issues, safety, and patient rights. You will implement this training, along with your other PTA courses, into a 3-week (120 hours) clinical experience.

Prerequisites: PT210, PT215, PT220, and PT239. You will be introduced to the pathology of orthopedic, medical, neurological, and surgical problems as they relate to the physical therapy plan of care written by a physical therapist. With this information, you will be able to correctly consider and recommend appropriate PT intervention for the common pathologies covered.

Prerequisite: PT215. You will learn the following concepts: applying for the professional licensure, professional goal-setting, the responsibilities of a new staff member, diversity in clinical settings, resume and interview skills, billing and reimbursement, and ethical issues. You will put these new concepts and the new techniques and pathology you've been learning into practice by completing a 4-week (160 hour) clinical rotation.

Prerequisite: PT225. You will learn additional applications of physical therapy regulations and guidelines with emphasis on interviews, resumes, professional organizations, stress and burnout, and patient care during the dying and death process.

Prerequisite: Completion of all PTA coursework. You will finish the final ten weeks in the clinical setting by completing two different five-week rotations in clinical settings under the supervision of a qualified clinical instructor.

Prerequisite: PT215. You will develop the skills, clinical decision-making, and responsibilities necessary for the neurological rehab PTA. Also, you will learn the clinical competence in the following procedures: developmental sequence, PNF, neurologic rehabilitation, motor control and learning, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and therapeutic exercise as it pertains to neurological and medical conditions.

Prerequisite: PT215. You will develop the skills, clinical decision-making, and responsibilities necessary for the acute and outpatient PTA. Also, you will learn clinical competence in the following procedures: therapeutic exercise as it pertains to orthopedics and surgical conditions, goniometry, MMT, joint mobilization, stretching, and postural examination.

Prerequisite: Completion of Clinical Education IV. You will return to campus for a two-day capstone course in which you will participate and explore additional topics not covered in the entry-level curriculum. By the completion of this course, you will be able to summarize, critique, and apply additional PT techniques in the clinical setting. You will express in the written and verbal form, a program critique before receiving your diploma for completion.