Physical Therapist Assisting (PTHA)

PTHA 105, FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTING 2 (3)

Course designed for Physical Therapist Assistant majors to provide the foundation of skills necessary to be successful in the field, including communication and documentation; pharmacological principles; an introduction to medical and surgical pathologies across the lifespan; scientific and mathematical concepts underlying modalities and exercise; models of function, health and disease; and basic patient care skills including moving patients and infection control. (A special fee will be assessed.)

General Education: GEO1, GEO5, GEO6, GEO7, GEO8

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: Admission into the Physical Therapist Assisting program; Corequisite: PTHA 111 and PTHA 121

Typically Offered: Fall Semester

PTHA 111, INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTING 2 (2)

Course designed for Physical Therapist Assistant majors describing the role of the physical therapist assistant within the health care system; legal and ethical standards of practice; professionalism; function of physical therapy personnel; psychosocial aspects of caring; and interpersonal communication. (A special fee will be assessed).

General Education: GEO1, GEO3, GEO4, GEO5

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: Program admission; Corequisite PTHA 105 and PTHA 121

Typically Offered: Fall Semester

PTHA 112, FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY AND KINESIOLOGY 4 (6)

Course designed for Physical Therapist Assistant majors to study of the anatomical and mechanical aspects of human motion. Study of the structure, muscle actions and joint motion throughout the body along with locomotion, respiration, posture, work and force. Laboratory required. (A special fee will be assessed).

General Education: GEO2, GEO5, GEO6, GEO7

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: PTHA 105, PTHA 111, PTHA 121 and BIOG 221; Corequisite PTHA 122; Concurrent: BIOG 222

Typically Offered: Spring Semester

PTHA 121, PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTING PROCEDURES I 5 (8)

Course designed for Physical Therapist Assistant majors to instruct in the principles and practices of therapeutic applications of basic data collection and measurement techniques including vital signs, range of motion, muscle performance, ADL and functional activities, gait, balance, posture, anthropometric testing, skin, circulation, sensation, equilibrium reactions and pain. Laboratory required. (A special fee will be assessed.)

General Education: GEO1, GEO2, GEO3, GEO4, GEO5

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: Program admission; Corequisite PTHA 105 and PTHA 111

Typically Offered: Fall Semester

PTHA 122, PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTING PROCEDURES II 5 (8)

Course designed for Physical Therapist Assistant majors to study the principles and practices of therapeutic applications of basic interventions provided under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist in the plan of care including biophysical agents, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, gait and functional training. Laboratory required. (A special fee will be assessed.)

General Education: GEO1, GEO2, GEO3, GEO7

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: PTHA 105, PTHA 111, PTHA 121 and BIOG 121; Corequisite: PTHA 112

Typically Offered: Spring Semester

PTHA 221, REHABILITATION PRINCIPLES I 3 (3)

Course designed for Physical Therapist Assistant majors regarding the medical/surgical/pharmacological care and provision of physical therapy interventions for commonly encountered medical, surgical, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, immunological integumentary, metabolic, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary conditions across the lifespan; in various practice settings.

General Education: GEO1, GEO2, GEO5

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: PTHA 241; Corequisite PTHA 242

Typically Offered: Fall Semester

PTHA 222, REHABILITATION PRINCIPLES II 4 (6)

Course designed for Physical Therapist Assistant majors with an emphasis on comprehensive interventions and rehabilitation for a variety of pathologies across the lifespan and bodily systems, including orthopedics, spine, amputation, orthotics and prosthetics, pediatrics, upper and lower motor neuron disorders, geriatrics, pain, and cardio-pulmonary disorders. Laboratory required. (A special fee will be assessed.)

General Education: GEO2, GEO4, GEO6

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: PTHA 221 and PTHA 242; Corequisite: PTHA 243 and PTHA 245

Typically Offered: Spring Semester

PTHA 241, CLINICAL PRACTICUM I 3 (12)

Course designed for Physical Therapist Assistant program majors as an introductory directed practice experience in long term, rehabilitation, acute or general care clinical setting under direct personal supervision. Under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist, student will develop initial patient contact skills and apply directed components of basic data collection and intervention techniques. Lecture 3 hours per week provides support for integration of program content into the clinical setting and development of professional skills. (Clinical practice 32 hours per week for 5 weeks.)(A special fee will be assessed.)

General Education: GEO1, GEO2, GEO4, GEO7

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: PTHA 112 and PTHA 122

Typically Offered: Summer Semester

PTHA 242, CLINICAL PRACTICUM II 3 (12)

Course designed for Physical Therapist Assistant program majors as directed practice experience in an intermediate level long term, rehabilitation, acute or general care clinical setting under on site/close supervision. Under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist, student will develop additional data collection and intervention techniques for general practice and specialty care populations. Lecture provides support for integration of program content into the clinical setting and development of professional skills. (Clinical practice 32 hours per week for 5 weeks)(A special fee will be assessed.)

General Education: GEO1, GEO2, GEO3, GEO4

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: PTHA 241; Corequisite: PTHA 221

Typically Offered: Fall Semester

PTHA 243, CLINICAL PRACTICUM III 5 (22)

Course designed for physical therapist assistant program majors as an advanced directed practice experience in acute, long term or specialty settings which progresses students to readiness for function at entry-level practice. Under the direction and on-site supervision of a physical therapist, students will apply directed components of data collection and interventions for basic and specialty setting/patient population, progressing to complete treatments and a full patient load. Lecture provides support for integration of program content into the clinical setting and prepares students for their role in the workplace. Clinical practice 40 hours per week for 8 weeks.

General Education: GEO1, GEO2, GEO3, GEO4, GEO5, GEO7

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: PTHA 221 and PTHA 242; Corequisite: PTHA 222 and PTHA 245

Typically Offered: Spring Semester

PTHA 245, ADVANCED TOPICS AND CLINICAL CRITIQUE 3 (3)

Course designed for Physical Therapist Assistant program majors to survey contemporary issues in Physical Therapy, healthcare, and the healthcare environment including specialty treatment and populations, technology, career development, professional growth, fiscal, organizational and governmental considerations and employment issues.

General Education: GEO2, GEO6, GEO7, GEO8

Course Entry Requirement(s): Prerequisite: PTHA 221 and PTHA 242; Corequisite: PTHA 222 and PTHA 243

Typically Offered: Spring Semester