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COURSE SEQUENCE AND DESCRIPTIONS
The PTA program incorporates lecture,
laboratory and clinical experiences into classes designed to
teach the student the cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills
needed to function as a physical therapist assistant. The ultimate
goal is to graduate students with the technical skills to function
at the entry level in the clinical area. In order to insure
student skills are adequate, students must spend at least 14
weeks in the last year of the program in full time clinical
assignments.
Students are admitted into the program in the spring semester
each year. The program length from that time is two years. Students
must complete Anatomy and Physiology I with a "C"
or higher prior to admission to the program. It is highly recommended
that they also complete some other general education courses
prior to admission.
- During the first year Spring
semester, students are taking general education courses
and enrolled in PTA 100, Orientation to Physical Therapy.
Students have the option of finishing general education courses
in the summer of the first year of the program.
- During the first year Fall
semester, students must finish the general education classes
and are also enrolled in PTA 150, Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology;
PTA 160, Medical Surgical Conditions in Physical Therapy;
and PTA 170, Clinical Practicum I (a part time clinical experience).
- During the second year Spring
semester, students will complete two classes, PTA 200
and PTA 220 during the first 12 weeks of the semester. Students
will finish the last 4 weeks of the semester in a full time
clinical experience, PTA 240, Clinical Practicum II.
- During the second year Fall
semester, students will and complete PTA 250 Neurological
Rehabilitation and PTA 260 Seminar in Physical Therapy in
the first 6 weeks of the semester. During the final 10 weeks
students are scheduled for two full time clinical experiences
(PTA 280).
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
- PTA 100: An orientation
to the profession of physical therapy is presented along with
an introduction to patient care skills. Topics include: physical
therapy as a profession. legal aspects of physical therapy
practice, cultural diversity, communication skills, medical
terminology, introductory aseptic techniques, body mechanics,
safety procedures. introductory wheelchair management. patient
transfers, patient positioning and draping, and vital signs.
- PTA 150: The structure
and function of the musculoskeletal system will be covered
with an emphasis on the mechanical aspect of human motion.
Muscle testing, flexibility testing, goniometry, and the aspects
of normal functional gait and posture will be covered. Basic
physical principles and the existing relationship with biomechanical
principles will also be covered.
- PTA 160:The study of
health and disease of all age groups is introduced with an
emphasis on the etiology, pathology, prevention, data collection
and physical therapy interventions in selected medical and
surgical conditions encountered in physical therapy.
- PTA 170: Clinical observation
and practice of physical therapy interventions and data collection
are included. Knowledge from previous general education coursework
and previous/concurrent PTA courses is applied.
- PTA 200: Basic physical
science principles of selected physical therapy interventions
and data collection are presented. Techniques of selected
physical therapy interventions are introduced. These interventions
include: wound therapy, compression therapy, safety procedures,
gait training, traction, massage, superficial heat and cold,
deep heat modalities, electrotherapy, ultraviolet radiation,
hydrotherapy, and documentation.
- PTA 220: Selected physical
therapy interventions and data collection are presented. Topics
include: therapeutic exercise, pulmonary physical therapy,
pathological gait, balance, thermal injuries, arthritis, amputations,
cardiac rehabilitation, orthotics, prosthetics, wellness,
and women's health issues.
- PTA 240: Clinical observation
and practice of physical therapy interventions and data collection
are included. Knowledge from previous general education coursework
and previous/concurrent PTA courses is applied. This course
will entail four consecutive weeks of full-time clinical experience.
- PTA 250: Rehabilitation
procedures, including assistive devices, for patients of all
age groups with disabilities resulting from: brain injury,
spinal cord injury, and genetic/congenital disorders are presented.
Normal growth and development is discussed. The rationale
and techniques of neuromuscular re-education are included.
- PTA 260: Topics are presented
to assist the student in the transition to physical therapist
assistant. Topics included are trends, specialized practice,
patient services, case studies integrating theory and practice,
and the employment process.
- PTA 280: Clinical observation
and practice of physical therapy interventions and data collection
are included. Knowledge from previous general education coursework
and PTA courses is applied. This course will entail ten consecutive
weeks of clinical practicum experience.
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