ROANE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DIVISION OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM
COURSE TITLE:
COURSE NUMBER:
CREDIT HOURS:
CLASS HOURS:
SEMESTER OFFERED:
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
HOURS:
PHONE:
EMAIL:
Clinical Preparation I
PTA 238
2 hybrid
F 8:00 – 12:00 + 32 clinic hours
Fall, 2015
Emily DeLozier, PTA, BS
B-131, Oak Ridge Campus
M, W 8:00 – 3:30, F 12:30 – 3:30
865-481-2008, cell 865-256-5403
delozierea@roanestate.edu
DESCRIPTION
This course prepares the PTA student for his/her clinical experiences and entry into the field as a
physical therapist assistant. Information on non-verbal, oral and written communication used by
rehabilitation professionals is presented. This will include medical records, patient
documentation, and the use of professional literature to write abstracts and perform medical
literature review. Emphasis will be on the practical use of medical terminology, medical
documentation and medical conversations. The basic principles of risk management are
presented. Investigation and integration of personal and professional attitudes and behaviors are
pursued in selected areas. The role of the PTA beyond patient care is discussed. The course also
provides the student with his/her first clinical experiences in a variety of settings/formats. The
student will begin to develop the concept of comprehensive patient care with mock clinic
assignments (supervised practice sessions). The student will participate in an integrated clinical
affiliation at the end of the semester.
FUNDAMENTAL CLASSROOM ROLE RELATIONSHIP PRINCIPLES
See current RSCC PTA student handbook
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the academic learning units of the course (listed below), the student
will be able to perform the related objectives as indicated by passing scores …:
 On all major course assignments and tests (see GRADING section**)
 Maintained for the course (70% of total points accrued to date) in order to
participate in an integrated clinical.
Upon completion of the clinical learning unit, the student will be able to perform the
related objectives as indicated by a passing score on the Integrated Clinical Student
Performance Evaluation Form (4 or greater out of 10 for all performance criteria.)
Academic Learning Unit
Written communication
Verbal/nonverbal communication
Wellness & prevention
Professional role/behaviors
Clinical Learning Unit Transition to the clinic
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
1. Define and use selected terminology and medical abbreviations
2. Discuss the goals of physical therapy written documentation.
3. Understand and define the elements of a physical therapist evaluation and daily SOAP notes.
Select important information from the evaluation including the plan of care (POC), shortterm goals (STG), long-term goals (LTG).
a. Describe the key components of the Nagi Model of Disablement and how they relate
to PT POC and goal setting.
b. Differentiate between effective/ineffective POC, STG, LTG documentation as
guidelines for PTA treatment.
4. Given a treatment scenario, write a SOAP note:
a. Place the necessary details in their proper sections. Include appropriate
addendums [flow sheets, home exercise programs (HEP)].
b. Use appropriate medical terminology and abbreviations (per Guidelines).
c. The notes will be acceptable in terms of professional and legal guidelines.
5. Demonstrate effective use of a medical record:
a. List the major components of a medical record-patient chart.
b. Select necessary objective and subjective information of a medical record to be
reviewed by a PTA before treatment.
6. Discuss the need & guidelines for physical therapist re-assessment/evaluation, intervention
and the role of the assistant.
a. Given a specific clinical situation, determine if physical therapist intervention is
required.
7. Discuss the need for discharge summaries and the role of the PTA.
8. Literature review & abstract writing:
a. Define evidence-based practice and the role of the PTA.
b. Locate and use reference material available at the RSCC library that supports
evidenced-based practice.
c. Write two abstracts using professional journals and the proper format.
VERBAL/NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION
9. Identify key determinants of successful verbal communication in a clinical setting
a. Analyze personal verbal communication styles and propose methods to emphasize and
change for an effective clinical style.
b. Observe and analyze other individuals’ verbal communication styles.
10. Recognize the different ways people communicate non-verbally that are important to clinical
practice.
a. Analyze personal nonverbal communication styles and propose methods to emphasize and
change for an effective clinical style.
b. Observe and analyze other individuals’ nonverbal communication.
11. Phone etiquette: Recall important characteristics of professional phone etiquette.
12. Inservices: Summarize and demonstrate effective inservice development skills by designing
and implementing an inservice as a group project.
a. Identify audience and appropriate subject for the inservice
b. Organize inservice event: arranging time & location, audience notification.
c. Create inservice goals and course content while staying within time constraints
1) course content is accurate and referenced.
d. Provide appropriate support materials:
1) handouts
2) course evaluation by participants
3) pre- and post- tests
PROFESSIONAL ROLE/BEHAVIORS
13. Effective work relationships
a. Define and describe methods to develop an effective relationship between the health
professional and patient in terms of :
1) establishing relatedness
2) maintaining professional distance
3)
4)
5)
6)
creating professional closeness
cultural diversity
individual differences
values
b. Define and describe effective interaction with other professionals, clients, and significant
others in terms of:
1) assertiveness style
2) recognizing conflict and conflict resolution
c. Given a narrative situation, apply the concepts/techniques in the previous two objectives.
14. Confidentiality: Review and demonstrate a working knowledge of confidentiality issues
appropriate of clinical practice of the PTA including:
a. HIPAA guidelines.
b. informed consent
15. Risk Management:
a. Define risk management.
b. Discuss the key components of risk management in terms of:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Patient relations, developing rapport
Confidentiality, information disclosure, HIPAA
Informed consent: Recognize the key components for a PT clinic
Policies and procedures
Incident report
a) Specify when one should be completed
b) Identify what information must be included
c. Define and describe the key components of a malpractice claim.
d. Identify the most common causes, injuries, and activities associated with malpractice
claims in a PT setting.
e. Discuss malpractice insurance coverage for the PTA.
16. Legal practice: Demonstrate a working knowledge of the TN PT practice act and regulations
appropriate for PTA clinical practice.
17. Ethics:
a. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the APTA Standards of Ethical Conduct for the
Physical Therapist Assistant.
b. Given a clinical scenario: Discuss and formulate response options using strategies outlined
in the “Ethics In Action” column, PT Magazine by Nancy R. Kirtsch PT, DPT, PhD.
Professionalism: List and describe the core values of the PT profession
18. Life-long learning: Develop one’s abilities as a self-directed learner through successful
completion of the course requirements.
19. Commitment to Profession: American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
a. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the basic functions of the American Physical
Therapy Association acquired in ALH 102
b. Investigate the role of the APTA affecting PTA practice through small group assignment
and presentation on:
1) current events/meetings & current leadership
2) selected student, PTA, and/or PT practice issues
3) reimbursement issues
4) research: Hooked on Evidence, PT Foundation
5) use of APTA publications
c. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the ‘Guide to Physical Therapy Practice’.
d. Demonstrate a working knowledge of ‘Direction & Supervision of the PTA’ statement.
e. Investigate and consider individual goals in the area of professional commitment and
development.
20. Developing Professional Behaviors
a. Discuss the key aspects of professional development and lifelong learning and how they
impact physical therapy practice
b. Assess one’s performance and behavior in the classroom in terms of successful
development appropriate for professional behaviors as a PTA.
c. Develop goals in professional behavior development that could enhance performance in
the clinical setting and for assuming the role of a PTA.
WELLNESS & PREVENTION
21. Demonstrate adequate concept and skill development needed for the role of the physical
therapist assistant in wellness and prevention program.
22. Develop habits and behaviors necessary to complete an individualized fitness program.
TRANSITION TO THE CLINIC
23. Demonstrate adequate concept and skill development needed for comprehensive patient care
during mock clinic assignments (in preparation for clinical practice).
24. Demonstrate effective use of the forms used for performance assessment during clinical
experience.
25. Explain the clinical course requirements for PTA 238.
26. Discuss methods used by and the responsibilities of the student for effective learning during
clinical affiliations.
27. Investigate one’s own developing attitudes and behaviors professionally and compare them
with that of the clinical faculty.
28. Develop a greater understanding of the role of the PTA, by observing and assisting the
clinical instructor.
29. Performance: As documented by completed performance assessment forms
a. Demonstrate adequate transition of performance expectations from the controlled
classroom setting to the more complex clinical setting that includes skills/abilities that cannot
be fully addressed in the academic environment. For example: multitasking, time
management, complex interpersonal skills with staff, clients and caregiver.
b. Demonstrate clinical practice that is safe & effective (therapeutic & timely) as an earlynovice student physical therapist (SPTA), comparable to an entry-level PTA.
GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES
Students will demonstrate ability to:
1. Understand that the writing and/or speaking processes include procedures such as planning,
organizing, composing, revising and editing.
2. Manage and coordinate basic information gathered from multiple sources for the purpose of
problem solving and decision-making.
3. Recognize the use of evidence, analysis, and persuasive strategies, including basic distinctions
among opinions, facts and inferences.
4. Recognize, describe and explain social institutions, structures and processes and the complexities
of global culture and diverse society.
5. Take ethical stands based on appropriate research in the social behavioral sciences.
6. Collect and analyze data and interpret results in a laboratory setting.
7. Apply mathematical and/or basic statistical reasoning to analyze data and graphs.
IDEA OUTCOMES
1. Developing specific skills, competencies, and points of view needed by professionals in the field
most related to this course.
2. Acquiring skills in working with others as a member of a team.
3. Developing skill in expressing oneself orally or in writing.
4. Developing a clearer understanding of, and commitment to, personal values
5. Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.
TEACHING METHODS
Lecture, class discussion, self-directed opportunities, practice sessions will be used. Facultysupervised mock clinic practice will be assigned. Supervised patient care and clinical
observation under a clinical instructor in an integrated clinical affiliation will also be scheduled.
Students will be evaluated by attendance, written exams, written assignment, special project
participation and completion of clinical evaluation forms by the student and clinic instructor
(C.I.).
TEXTS
1. Selected handouts included: current RSCC PTA Student Handbook.
2. APTA publications and member-only website information. Students are required to join the
American Physical Therapy Association, rather than purchase a textbook, in order to access necessary
information.
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
In order to successfully complete the course, each student must:
1. Complete forms and records necessary for participating in fitness testing and clinical
affiliations by stated deadlines.
2. Complete all written or online assignments & projects by due date. Grades will be adjusted
for late assignments. Including:
a. Inservice for Radiology technology students
b. Professional Horizons project: Attend an APTA event in either the fall or spring
semester and write a reflection paper of 250 words minimum.
3. Complete reading & audio lecture assignments BY due date on class outline.
4. Complete scheduled exams:
a. And pass one exam (with a grade of 80% or better) on the requirements for the integrated
clinical before attending the clinical.
b. And pass hospital orientation tests (with a grade of 80% or better) on Momentum before
attending the clinical.
5. Participate in one professional development meeting with an academic faculty member.
These meetings will be by appointment and in the privacy of the faculty’s office:
a. Prior to scheduled meeting, the student must complete the professional development
form.
b. During the meeting:
1) The student will compare self-assessment to assessment by PTA faculty.
2) The student will develop goals (with the assistance and recommendations of the PTA
faculty) for continued development of adequate professional behaviors.
3) It will be determined if a follow-up meeting is indicated.
c. At any time if the PTA faculty identify that the student’s performance in the program
warrants a ‘0’ rating in any professional behavior:
1. A meeting with the student will be scheduled immediately.
2. A performance contract may be initiated to assure adequate remediation of the
concerns before the student is allowed to continue in the clinical education portion of
the course. Remediation during the clinical may also be included.
3. The clinical faculty will be notified of the student’s progress in this area with the
Student Information Sheet, a phone call from the ACCE for special concerns, and a
performance contract for special concerns.
6. Complete one self-efficacy form.
7. Participate in class discussion and laboratory experiences per the instructor’s guidelines. See
current RSCC PTA Student handbook: Confidential & Sensitive Information, Standard
Precautions, Student Participation & Health Status, Laboratory Guidelines & Safety
Considerations, Dress Code, video/Audiotaping Classroom Activities.
a. For mock clinic sessions: Each student will wear lab clothes and bring personal lab
equipment.
8. Attend all class sessions - this is required. See attendance policy of current PTA Student
Handbook.
9. Complete scheduled mock clinic sessions per guidelines.
10. Complete necessary fitness and wellness requirements outlined in the current Fitness
Procedures Handbook for PTA Students (Fitness Requirements for PTA 238, 9 Section):
a. Complete individual pre- & post fitness testing at the beginning & ending of the semester
respectively.
b. Assist Classmate in their pre-post-fitness testing.
c. Participation in a & b must be verified by completion of necessary attendance procedures.
d. An exercise log for activity done during the semester is due Monday December 7, 2015.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR INTEGRATED CLINICAL AFFILIATION
STUDENT ELIGIBLILTY
1.The student must have and maintain a passing grade (‘C’ or higher) in all other PTA courses
she/he is currently enrolled, in order to participate in the integrated clinical.
If a student is not academically eligible at the time of the first clinical session:
The ACCE will cancel the clinical.
The student will meet with the academic faculty to develop a plan to improve
academic performance.
The student will receive an ‘I’ incomplete grade for this course.
If the student passes the other PTA courses he/she is enrolled in for the semester.
A make-up clinical will be scheduled by the ACCE in January before the start of
the spring semester. Dates and location to be determined by the ACCE.
With successful completion of this make-up clinical, per course guidelines, the
student’s grade will be changed from ‘incomplete’ to ‘C’ and the student will
continue with the PTA curriculum.
If the student fails the clinical, per course guidelines, the student’s grade will be
changed to ‘F’ and the student is dismissed from the PTA program.
2. The student has completed the clinical requirements in the areas of liability insurance, health
clearance, immunization/TB testing, criminal background check, online orientation. Student
records are on file in the ACCE’s office. Documentation verifying this information is available
in the student’s clinical folder.
ATTENDANCE
3. The student will participate in an integrated clinical affiliation scheduled on four Wednesdays
for eight hours/day: November 4, 11, 18, December 2, 2015.
4. The student must notify the C.I. of any absence/tardy before his/her report time. See
Attendance policy, RSCC PTA Student handbook.
5.The student must complete 32 hours. Any missed time must be made-up and will be scheduled
by the ACCE.
FORMATTING THE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
6. CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR The CI must be a TN-licensed physical therapist or physical
therapist assistant with more than one year’s clinical experience and selected by the CCCE.
7. STUDENT ACTIVITIES The student will:
observe the CI performing patient care and other job-related duties of a PTA.
assist the CI in performing selected patient treatments or parts of treatments.
perform selected patient treatments or parts of patient treatments.
8. The student must be assisting/performing selected patient care every clinic day.
9. SELECTION OF PATIENT CARE ACTIVITIES The selection of patient care treatments
that the student assists with or performs will be made by the CI. It will be in accordance with the
skills the student has completed academically (a list is provided in the second mailing, also
available in student’s clinical folder) OR with the training/instruction/supervision of the CI for
new skills. The CI will plan repeat treatments of the same patients by the student as is possible.
10. DOCUMENTATION The student will perform notewriting out of the patient’s chart.
11. PATIENT CHARTS The student will participate in chart review and be familiar with the
plan of care (POC) including the LTG’s and STG’s of the patients being treated.
12. BILLING The student may participate in other administrative activities related to the role of
the PTA. Billing, for example.
13. PT/PTA ROLE The student should participate in activities delineating the supervisory role
of the Physical Therapist. Observing initial evaluations, for example.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (FORMATIVE & SUMMATIVE)
14. WEEKLY/Formative Performance Evaluation: Every week the Clinical Skills Inventory for
Integrated Clinicals Form and the Integrated Clinical Daily Performance Report will be
completed and signed.
15. FINAL/Summative Performance Evaluation: On the last Friday, the Integrated Clinical
Student Performance Evaluation form and the Student Evaluation of Clinic Experience form will
be completed and signed.
16. MINIMAL PASSING SCORES: The student must receive a 4 or higher/10 on all
performance criteria on the Integrated Clinical Student Performance Evaluation form in order to
pass the course.
17. PROBLEMS WITH STUDENT Identifying Performance Concerns: If the CI has concerns,
the CI will mark the ‘did not meet CI’s expectations’ on the Integrated Clinical Daily
Performance form and describe the circumstances. This will initiate a process outlined in the
RSCC PTA Student handbook, “Clinical Performance and Evaluation”.
STUDENT WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
18. The student’s clinical notebook is due every Friday after a clinical day, 8:00 AM.
The clinical notebook will contain the completed forms and written assignments due for that
day (See Integrated Clinicals Preparation & Assignment Guidelines handout).
19. The student will have a Discussion entry and e-mail to complete weekly. (See Integrated
Clinicals Preparation & Assignment Guidelines handout).
20. The student will participate in a weekly class discussion managed by the ACCE. (See
Integrated Clinicals Preparation & Assignment Guidelines handout)
COMMUNICATION
21. PRECLINIC: The ACCE will provide the C.I. with the necessary forms and information
with the second mailing about one month before the start of the clinical.
22. FIRST DAY:
The CI will provide the student with an orientation.
The student will present a completed Student Information Sheet and the ACCE’s business
card to the CI.
For any special concerns, the ACCE will contact the clinical faculty by phone before the
start of the clinical.
23. Student & Clinical Faculty
The student will contact the CCCE or CI no later the 2 weeks before the start of the clinical.
See Integrated Clinicals Preparation & Assignment Guidelines handout.
During the clinical: ongoing discussion and completion of daily forms.
Final: per final meeting and completion of summative forms.
24. The ACCE or another member of the RSCC PTA faculty will be available by phone during
clinical hours for both student and CI contact.
The ACCE’s phone number is available in the PTA Student handbook, the student’s
clinical folder, and the business card.
The ACCE is available for meetings on the RSCC campus or at the clinical facility by
request of the clinical faculty or student.
25. Student/ACCE: See Student Responsibility section RSCC PTA Student handbook.
The student, academic and clinical faculty will comply with all policies relating to clinical
education as outlined in the RSCC PTA Student handbook.
PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, Plagiarism, Cheating, Fabrication, and
Facilitation. Academic misconduct is prohibited. Upon identification of misconduct, an
instructor has the authority to assign an “F” or a zero for the exercise, the examination, or the
entire course. Students guilty of academic misconduct that would typically result in the grade of
“F” for the course will not be permitted to drop the class in which the academic misconduct
occurred. The instructor will contact the appropriate Division Dean who will then contact
Records and request that an administrative hold be placed on the course in question. The
instructor will notify the student of the appropriate due process/appeal procedure. The
administrative hold will remain in place until the academic misconduct matter is concluded.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic
accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services office staff. Prior to
granting disability accommodations in the course, the instructor must receive written verification
of a student’s eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services office staff. It
is the student’s responsibility to initiate contact with the disability services staff and to follow the
established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor. Students
requiring modifications due to documented disability must notify faculty within the first two
weeks of classes.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ADDITIONAL STUDENT RESOURCES CTAT/HELP
DESK
If you are having problems logging into your course on Momentum, timing out of your course,
using your course web site tools, please call CTAT at 865-882-4556, M-F, 9-5 EST. For all
other technical problems call Help Desk at: 865-354-3000 Ext 4357.
Other2: Includes Library, Counseling, and Learning Center.
GRADING
Grading for the classroom component of the course will be calculated in a total point
system. Approximate point values are:
Type
# of Assignments
Points/Assignment Total Points
Document quiz/test 7
10-55
115
Other quiz/test
5
10-30
80
Class assignments
10
5-10
70
Mock clinic
3
15
45
Clinical assignments 4
50-60
210
Inservice
1
20
20
Fitness testing
2
10
10
Ex log
1
10
10
TOTAL
585
Grade Scale (% of total points)
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
F
less than 70
See current RSCC catalogue: Grades, Allied Health Science Retention Policies.
See current RSCC PTA Student handbook: Grading Policy, Testing Protocol, Cheating,
Attendance policy, Clinical Education
Grading for the clinical performance component of the course will be calculated as follows:
1. The student must demonstrate minimum competency for this clinical with a rating of ‘4’
or higher on all performance criteria (12) listed on the Clinical Performance Evaluation
form.
2. A rating of less than ‘4’ on one or more of performance criteria results in an ‘F’ for the
course, regardless of the grade accrued in the classroom portion of the course.
3. The student must complete 32 hours of clinical experience or an incomplete ‘I’ grade will
be assigned. If the hours are completed, the grade will be changed to a ‘C’.
4. The academic coordinator of clinical education (ACCE) will have the final responsibility
for the clinical grade assignment.
*Please note on Outline below that Clinic Days, Nov 4, 11, 18, and Dec 2, are Wednesdays.
Students will alternate Wednesday schedule for Fridays on these weeks.
DATE
Aug 28
Sept 4
Sept 11
Sept 18
Sept 25
Oct 2
Oct 9
Oct 16
Oct 23
Oct 30
Nov 4
(Nov 10
Nov 11
(Nov 17
Nov 18
(Nov 24
Dec 2
(Dec 3
Dec 7
PTA 238 CLINICAL PREPARATION I
COURSE OUTLINE FALL 2015
Friday Lecture /Lab 8:00 AM-12:00 Noon*
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENT
Intro: Syllabus / Clinicals/Ethics
Read syllabus
Documentation Parts: 1, 2, 5, 6
Student handbook: Ethics, Direction/Supervision
APTA
Abbreviation Quiz 1
Documentation Parts: 3, 7, 8
APTA assignment due
Background Check
Documentation wkshts 1,2,3 due
Clinic choices due
ETHICS ONLINE ASSIGNMENT #1 Due
Documentation Parts: 4, 9
Abbreviation Quiz 2
Abstract
Documentation wkshts 4,5,6,7,8 Due
Library
ETHICS ONLINE ASSIGNMENT 2 Due
Confidentiality
Documentation Test
Risk Management
Audio lectures: Confidentiality & Risk Manage due
Sexual Harrassment
ETHICS ONLINE ASSIGNMENT #3 Due
TN Rules & Regulations
Risk Management & Confidentiality Test
Discuss Inservice
Abstract #1 due
Health Science Orientation Review
TN practice act wksht due/Incident Report due
(do 5 areas, print scores, put in Clinical Sign-up Professional Development Mtgs
Folder by end of Fall Break)
ETHICS ONLINE ASSIGNMENT # 4
Inservice Preparation
TN PRACTICE ACT TEST
Professional Development Mtgs all wk
Notewriting assignment #1 due
Sexual Harrassment Certificate due
ETHICS ONLINE ASSIGNMENT #5
Pt Relationship Building
Abstract #2 due
Communication Nonverbal/ Phone
Audio lecture: Prof. Relationship Building due
Mock Clinic Prep
ETHICS ONLINE ASSIGNMENT # 6
MOCK CLINIC with SOTAs – plan to Notewriting assignment #2
stay longer!
Nonverbal/phone wkshts due
Mock Clinic Assignment Due in class
ETHICS ONLINE ASSIGNMENT # 7
Clinic Preparation
Verbal wkst due
Communication Verbal
MOCK CLINIC
Preclinic test
Notewriting assignment #3
Mock Clinic Assignment Due in class
Clinic Day 1
Folder & discussion entries due Nov 7
Lunch Discussion)
Clinic Day 2
Folder & discussion entries due Nov 13
Lunch Discussion)
Clinic Day 3
Folder & discussion entries due Nov 20
Lunch Discussion)
Clinic Day 4
Folder & discussion entries due Dec 4
Lunch Discussion)
MOCK CLINIC
Mock Clinic Assignment Due in class
Fitness logs due