OF
THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Course Syllabus
PTA 9
Clinical Practicum 11
Course Description:
This course represents the students’ concluding full time clinical experience as assigned by the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education. Under the supervision of clinical faculty at a facility providing physical therapy services, the student interacts with patients, provides physical therapy treatment, and assists the therapist in measurements and complex procedures. The student applies his/her knowledge and practices the skills of transfer and gait training, modalities application and therapeutic exercise. The
students’ skills and competence in these areas are assessed by the program faculty prior to participation in this course. Students must be assessed as being competent in all previous course work prior to participating in this clinical practicum. This practicum is eight weeks in duration.
Course Objectives
Under the supervision of clinical faculty the student shall be able to:
1. Perform therapeutic techniques demonstrating an understanding of the role of the physical therapist assistant in rehabilitation.
2. Perform physical therapist techniques demonstrating an understanding of organizational structure, levels of authority, and fiscal considerations of the health care delivery system.
3. Implement therapeutic interventions within the plan of treatment demonstrating consideration of time management, therapeutic sequence, and rationale for procedure selection issues.
4. Recognize clinical responses and situations that require the attention of the supervising physical therapist.
5. Assist in discharge planning and alternative levels of care decision making.
6. Analyze the effectiveness of modalities and procedures in specific clinical situations.
7. Verify the effectiveness of teaching by analyzing patient performance.
8. Perform appropriate assessment and measurement techniques to assist the supervising physical therapist in monitoring and modifying the plan of care including: manual muscle testing, goniometry, segmental length, girth and volume, pain, vital signs monitoring, gait and balance, etc.
9. Prepare patients for treatment.
10. Monitor vital signs as appropriate.
11. Use universal precautions in all treatments.
12. Use sterile technique in gowning, gloving and bandaging.
13. Operate a wheelchair and teach a patient to do so.
14. Identify architectural barriers.
15. Use proper body mechanics.
16. Position a patient prone, sidelying and supine.
17. Transfer a patient safely.
18. Teach patient and family safe transfer techniques.
19. Safely ambulate patients and instruct ambulation with the correct gait patterns using a variety of aids, including; parallel bars, walkers, crutches, and canes.
20. Teach various gait patterns, including; four point gait, three point gait and two point gait.
21. Instruct patients in gait using appropriate weight bearing status.
22. Appropriately report patient progress in the medical record.
23. Communicate patient progress to supervising physical therapist and other health care personnel.
24. Perform clerical and record keeping duties.
25. Follow a systematic and logical progression when teaching exercises to patients.
26. Observe the effects of fatigue and terminate exercise accordingly.
27. Administer passive range of motion, active assistive range of motion, active exercises, and manual resistive exercises to all joints for patients with a variety of disorders.
28. Read/perform manual muscle testing and adjust treatment, within the plan of care, accordingly.
29. Administer progressive resistive exercises using a variety of apparatus, including; sandbags, ankle foot exerciser, restorator, Fitron, wands, etc.
30. Administer thermal agents as prescribed by supervising physical therapist.
31. Teach patient and family treatment philosophies, precautions, self-management and home exercise programs.
32. Communicate patient status and response to supervising physical therapist.
33. Note precautions while treating patients.
34. Teach patient and families treatment philosophies, precautions and self-management.
35. Carry out a prescribed treatment plan in a logical and efficient manner.
36. Perform complex therapeutic procedures, including; basic PNF and chest PT
37. Effectively assist the therapist in the performance of prosthetic and orthotic training.
38. Effectively teach the patient and their family new skills, including home exercise program, safety procedures, etc., in preparation for discharge or discontinuation of therapy services.
39. Effectively communicate with other health care personnel.
40. Teach physical therapy and other health care personnel through formal presentation of case studies or inservices as assigned by the clinical instructor.
41. Avoid performing any suspected contraindicated activities and report back to the physical therapist for instructions.
42. Inform the patient about the purpose of the application of specific therapeutic techniques.
43. Perform physical therapy treatments and interact with patient and families considering influencing factors (psychosocial, cultural, economic, legal, ethical,etc.)
44. Properly maintain physical therapy equipment.
45. Demonstrate appropriate documentation of modalities and procedures considering patient response, treatment parameter, long/short term goals and effectiveness.
46. Safely and effectively apply physical agents including, electrical, electrical-magnetic, light, traction, air compression and water.
47. Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior including:
a) Attend and report to clinic on time
b) Be prepared and attend to assigned tasks
c) Accept constructive criticism and respond and/ or follows through appropriately
d) Express self in a clear and easily understood manner
e) Maintain appropriate personal hygiene
f) Treat others with positive regard, dignity and respect
Student Instructions
No later than one month prior to the start of the clinical course the student receives a packet containing: a notification of clinical site, course objectives, student evaluation forms, and a clinical site evaluation form.
Each student must meet with the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education no later than two weeks prior to the start of the clinical course.
Students must call their assigned facility no later than one week prior to the start date. Students must speak to the Clinical Instructor or the Clinical Coordinator of Clinical Education to clarify, start date and time, dress requirements, pre-requisite assignments, directions to the facility, etc. Additionally, students are required to formally present an inservice or case study to physical therapy or other health care personnel as determined by the Clinical Instructor.
Grade Determination:
The final grade for this course is based upon the clinical instructor’s final evaluation, and academic faculty observation of the student in the clinic. A standard evaluation form is used by the clinical instructor to assess the student’s clinical skills and abilities. The student will be evaluated at an interim period as well as at the conclusion of the clinical experience. The academic faculty assesses the students clinical skills and abilities by observing a patient interaction. The student is assessed on communication skills and appropriateness of techniques. The academic faculty is responsible for the assignment of the course grade.
Keys to Success In The Clinic
Be on time!
Remember, when in the clinic, you are expected to perform as a practicing clinician. This means that you must be punctual. If the day starts at 8:30AM, plan to be at the site by 8:15AM. Chronic lateness will not be tolerated in the clinic. If you know that you will be late to clinic, remember to call and speak with your clinical instructor.
Don’t miss clinic!
The clinical facility makes special plans to accommodate you. Absences from clinic disrupts educational and patient care activities. Absences from clinic must be made up. Clinical education is vital to becoming a physical therapist assistant. Make sure you attend all clinical sessions.
Communicate with your Clinical Instructor!
Your Clinical Instructor (CI) has primary responsibility for your supervision, and learning in the clinic. You must communicate openly with your CI. If you have any questions concerning a particular assignment, speak with your CI before beginning. Be open to constructive criticism and be flexible. Your CI wants you to succeed and is there to help you. If there is a problem that cannot be resolved with your CI, contact the program’s Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education immediately.
Always dress appropriately!
Remember, you are expected to act as you would as a practicing physical therapist assistant. You are expected to exhibit professional behavior and practices at all times. This includes appropriate dress.