Physical Therapy

(Offered fall). Prerequisite: Acceptance into PTA program. This course provides an introduction to the history, present practice, and future trends of the physical therapy profession. An introduction to the team concept in health care including the role and responsibilities of the physical therapist assistant will be discussed. Students will also be presented with: an examination of legal and ethical issues related to the practice of physical therapy, patient?s rights and responsibilities, confidentiality of patient information, discussion of structure and services of the American Physical Therapy Association, reimbursement systems and fiscal considerations of providers and consumers of physical therapy services, quality assurance and assessment in the delivery of physical therapy, and basic communication techniques.

(Offered fall). Corequisites: PHT1102L, BSC2085, BSC2085L. This is a course for PTA students that reviews musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and basic anatomical concepts. Functional anatomy will include the study of human joints, muscles, ligaments, and functional human motion. Application of anatomical concepts to physical therapy procedures will also be introduced. Examination of these concepts will include: coordinated muscle functional and neuromuscular control. This is a preparatory class for PHT1124.

$12.00 lab fee. (Offered fall). Corequisite: PHT1102. This is a laboratory course which focuses on the application of anatomical principles presented in PHT1102. This includes the study of human joints, muscles, ligaments and nerves as they relate to function. Application of anatomical concepts to physical therapy procedures will also be introduced, to highlight the importance of patient positioning for optimal function and movement. This is a preparatory laboratory course for PHT1124L.

(Offered spring). Prerequisites: BSC2085, BSC2085L, PHT1102, PHT1102L. Functional Human Motion is a course designed for PTA students to review musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and basic anatomical concepts. Functional mechanics, planes, and other relationships will be explored as they relate to joints, muscles, ligaments, and human body movement. Also includes the study of basic kinesiological/-biomechanical principles and their application to human movement such as analysis of normal movement patterns, posture, and gait. This course will focus on the axial skeleton, appendicular skeleton, and will explore anatomical concepts as they relate to the field of physical therapy.

(Offered spring). Prerequisites: PHT1102, PHT1102L, BSC2085, BSC2085L. Corequisite: PHT1124. A laboratory course offering practice in the application of principles presented in PHT1124 for movement, posture and gait analysis/measurement. Focus is on the development and application of kinesiological and biomechanical concepts to human movement. Effective manual and keen observational skills will be developed for surface anatomy and palpation.

(Offered spring). Prerequisite: HSC1531. Introduction to medical record keeping. Documentation skills, including SOAP notes, narrative notes, and computerized documentation systems. Reading and interpreting a physical therapy evaluation. Concepts of measurement, assessment, and recording of flexibility, strength, function, balance, endurance, pain, neurological deficit and sensation, segmental length, girth, and volume.

(Offered spring). Corequisite: PHT1131. A laboratory course designed to practice principles presented in PHT1131. Reading and interpreting medical records and examination of a variety of evaluation and assessment forms. Practice in documentation skills, goniometry, muscle testing, neurological and sensory testing, coordination, and functional assessment.

(Offered fall). Corequisite: PHT1000. Introduction to basic patient care skills; moving, lifting, and transferring patients; patient positioning and draping; preparation of treatment area; medical asepsis and infection control; body mechanics; wheelchair operation and adjustment; identification of architectural barriers; safety issues in patient care and transport; fitting and application of selected adaptive devices; introduction to activities of daily living; bed mobility skills; vital signs, and range of motion.

$169.00 lab fee. (Offered fall). Corequisite: PHT1200. A laboratory course designed for practice in the basic patient care skills presented in PHT1200. The focus is on the development of safe and competent patient and equipment handling skills.

(Offered spring). Prerequisites: PHT1200, PHT1200L. Introduction to the types and effects of exercise; rationale for and functional basis of exercises and techniques employed for therapeutic reasons; use and maintenance of a variety of exercise equipment; exploration of the concepts of lifespan fitness and wellness.

$31.00 lab fee. (Offered spring). Corequisite: PHT1220. A laboratory course designed to develop skill in the application of the concepts and techniques of exercise therapy presented in PHT1220. Hands-on experience with a variety of exercise equipment and practice in performing, assisting, and teaching of therapeutic exercises.

$58.00 lab fee. (Offered summer). Corequisite: PHT2211. A laboratory course designed to develop competencies in the application of therapeutic modalities discussed in PHT2211. Positioning, draping, and safety precautions in the use of all modalities will be a strong focus.

$18.00 lab fee. (Offered fall). Corequisite: PHT2225. This is a laboratory course designed to develop skill in the application of concepts presented in PHT2225. Practice in performing therapeutic exercises and treatment techniques for selected orthopedic disabilities.

(Offered fall). Corequisite: PHT2226. This is a laboratory course designed to develop skill in the application of concepts presented in PHT2226. Practice in performing, assisting, teaching, and documenting therapeutic exercises and treatment techniques for selected neurological disabilities.

$144.00 lab fee. (Offered fall). Prerequisites: PHT2211, PHT2211L. Students are assigned to an agency providing physical therapy services for an introductory (full-time, 40 hours/week for 4 weeks) experience in the application of skills learned in the classroom to patients in the clinical setting. Students implement PT treatments and perform specific clinical tasks under the close supervision of a physical therapist. This is an introductory experience and emphasis is on developing ease in the moving and handling of patients; confidence in communicating and interacting with staff, patients, and their families; sharpened powers of observation; and an understanding of the role of the physical therapist assistant. A Patient Care Study is completed along with pertinent literature review.

(Offered spring). Prerequisite: PHT2801. Corequisite: PHT2931. An intermediate level, full-time clinical placement (40 hours/ week for 7 weeks) designed to be an in-depth experience in the delivery of physical therapy services to patients in a clinical setting. It is a supervised experience in the application of academically acquired knowledge. Problem-solving techniques are employed in the interpretation and execution of patient care plans. An in-depth patient care study will be completed, and students will prepare and give an in-service to the facility staff.

(Offered spring). Prerequisite: PHT2810. Corequisite: PHT2931. This course is an advanced level, full-time clinical placement (40 hours/week for 7 weeks) designed to be an in depth experience in the delivery of physical therapy services to patients in a clinical setting. Although a supervised experience in the application of academically and clinically acquired knowledge, emphasis will be on the student developing more autonomy in patient care and more independence in involvement with the entire scope of physical therapy services from clerical to patient scheduling and treatment to department maintenance. Also of emphasis will be a continuation of the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication/teaching skills. An in depth patient care study will be completed and a quality assurance study will be conducted. Grade mode: pass/fail.

$129.00 lab fee. (Offered spring). Corequisites: PHT2810, PHT2820. This course is designed to broaden the scope of the student's understanding of clinical practice. Relationship of clinical research to clinical practice. Reading and review of professional literature in physical therapy or related fields. Conduction and presentation of patient care studies. Responsibilities for continuing education and professional development and quality assurance. Licensure issues. Job skills such as resumes and interview techniques. Reviewing for final competency exam and licensing exam preparation. Presentation of in-service and quality assurance projects. Final comprehensive exam.

1-3 crs. Cooperative Education courses may be taken toward completion of most of the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degree programs. A maximum of six credit hours may be used in meeting the A.A. degree requirements. Prerequisite: Minimum of 2.0 GPA, meet with the co-op coordinator, and availability of co-op work experience slot. Supervised, practical work experience that seeks to combine theories and apply practical skills to projects in the student?s major field of study. Requirements include online weekly, mid-term, and end-of-term reflection assignments.