MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

PTA206  2007 Fall – 2010 Spring

Clinical Practicum I

1.

Adhere to agency policies and procedures including Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines. (I)

2.

Perform clinical skills under the supervision of a physical therapist and clinical instructor in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. (II)

3.

Implement a comprehensive treatment plan developed by a physical therapist. (III)

4.

Communicate appropriately with the supervising physical therapist about the patient's progress. (IV)

5.

Perform appropriate measurement and assessment techniques within the knowledge and limits of practice to assist the supervising physical therapists. (V)

6.

Interact with patients and families in a manner which provides the desired psychosocial support including the recognition of cultural and socioeconomic differences. (VI)

7.

Participate in the teaching of other health care providers, patients, and families. (VII)

8.

Document relevant aspects of patient treatment. (VIII)

9.

Participate in discharge planning and follow up care. (IX)

10.

Demonstrate effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication with patients and their families, colleagues, health care providers, and the public. (X)

11.

Demonstrate an understanding of the physical therapy delivery system to include planning, time management, supervisory process, performance evaluations, fiscal issues, policies and procedures. (XI)

12.

Read and interpret professional literature. (XI)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

PTA206  2007 Fall – 2010 Spring

Clinical Practicum I

I. Patient Information

A. Confidentiality

B. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

II. Clinical Practice

A. Rationale and effectiveness of treatment procedures

B. Standards of Practice for Physical Therapy

C. Standards for Ethical Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant

D. Applicable state and federal laws

E. Ethical principles

F. Scope of abilities in the delivery of care

III. Treatment Implementation

A. Activities of daily living

B. Assistive/adaptive devices

C. Balance and gait training

D. Biofeedback

E. Developmental activities

F. Electric current

G. Electromagnetic radiations

H. External compression

I. Hydrotherapy

J. Orthoses and prostheses

K. Patient/family education

L. Postural training and body mechanics

M. Pulmonary hygiene techniques

N. Therapeutic exercise

O. Therapeutic massage

P. Thermal agents

Q. Topical application (including those for iontophoresis)

R. Traction

S. Ultrasound

T. Standard precautions/infection control

U. Wound care

IV. Physical Therapy Communication

A. Patient's status

B. The medical team

C. Progress

D. Lack of progress

E. Need for changes

V. Assessment Techniques

A. Strength

B. Flexibility/joint range of motion and muscle length

C. Posture

D. Endurance

E. Pain

F. Gait and balance

G. Righting and equilibrium reactions

H. Architectural barriers and environmental modifications

I. Functional activities

J. Segmental length, girth, and volume

K. Skin and sensation

L. Vital signs

VI. Patient and Family Interaction

A. Psychosocial support

B. Cultural differences

C. Socioeconomic differences

VII. Teaching

A. Health care providers

B. Patients

C. Families

VIII. Documentation

A. Subjective

B. Objective

C. Assessment

D. Plan

IX. Discharge Planning

A. Equipment needs

B. Home environment and modifications

C. Work environment and modifications

D. Transportation issues

E. Training of care givers

F. Home exercise programs

G. Communication with subsequent provider of care

X. Communication Skills

A. Written

B. Oral

C. Nonverbal

XI. Physical Therapy Delivery System

A. Levels of authority and responsibility

B. Planning

C. Time management

D. Supervisory process

E. Performance evaluations

F. Policies and procedures

G. Fiscal issues

H. Continuous quality improvement

I. Professional literature

J. Continuing development of skills