PTA 110 Introduction to Physical Therapy

Lecture: 2 Lab: 3 Clinic: 0 Credits: 3

This course introduces the field of physical therapy including the history and standards of practice for the physical therapist assistant and basic treatment techniques. Emphasis is placed on ethical and legal considerations, universal precautions, vital signs, documentation, basic patient preparation and treatment skills, and architectural barrier screening. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the role of the physical therapist assistant and demonstrate competence in basic techniques of patient care.

Pre-requisite(s): Enrollment in the Physical Therapist Assistant program.
Course is typically offered in Fall.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
At the completion of the course, the students should be able to do the following:

Analyze the current state of the physical therapy profession in light of the profession’s history, policies, literature, and current issues on written exams.
Analyze physical therapy data collection skills (vital signs, wheelchair measurements, body composition measurements, functional assessments, and environmental assessments) on written exams.
Analyze physical therapy interventions (patient positioning, bed mobility training, transfer training, wheelchair training, gait training, infection control, tilt table, documentation, and patient education) on written exams.
Perform safe and effective physical therapy data collection skills during skills tests.
Perform safe and effective physical therapy interventions on skills tests.
Perform safe and effective physical therapy data collection skills and interventions on practical exams.
Demonstrate professional skills for all aspects of the course.