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Physical Therapy

PHTA 100 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL THERAPY

Fall, 3 credit hours

Physical Therapist Assistant students are introduced to the discipline of physical therapy including history and philosophies. They receive introduction to a variety of practice settings and the team approach to rehabilitation. Students are familiarized with the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice and uniform terminology. Scope of practice, the New York State Practice Act, and ethical standards of conduct of the physical therapist assistant and the core values of physical therapy are identified. Medical terminology is introduced as an on-line self-tutorial. Students are introduced to basic physical therapy documentation and reimbursement issues. Cultural awareness is discussed and students begin to learn about interaction with individuals from cultures different than their own. Two hours lecture, one hour on-line per week.

Corequisites: Fundamental Physical Therapy Skill and Modalities (PHTA 101), Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 217), or permission of instructor.

PHTA 101 FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL THERAPY SKILLS AND MODALITIES

Fall, 3 credit hours

Physical Therapist Assistant students are introduced to fundamental patient care skills including patient preparation, positioning, transfers and dependent mobility, assistive ambulation and aseptic techniques. Thermal modalities are studied and applied. The PTA student begins learning patient data collection including standard vital signs and anthropometric measurements, describes the safety status and progression of patients while engaged in gait, locomotion, balance, wheelchair management and mobility and recognizes functional status. Two hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week.

Prerequisite: acceptance into the PTA curriculum. PHTA majors only.

PHTA 102 KINESIOLOGY

Spring, 4 credit hours

Study and application of human motion is covered beginning with general anatomic terminology and concepts, types and laws of motion, bone, joint and muscle structure and function. Origins, insertions, actions and innervations of extremity and trunk musculature and palpable surfaces of same are discussed. Kinesiological concepts related to the gait cycle, posture, and functional movement are addressed. Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory per week.

Prerequisite: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 217) or permission of instructor.

PHTA 103 MUSCULOSKELETAL PATHOLOGIES

Spring, 4 credit hours

Students are introduced to tissue healing in relation to musculoskeletal pathologies and their role in assisting the physical therapist with management of this patient population. The principles and techniques of therapeutic exercise are presented and related to specific musculoskeletal pathologies across the lifespan. The student will learn to apply a variety of exercise techniques when given the physical therapy plan and goals. There will be a focus on educating the patient and/or care giver throughout the course. Students will also begin to read and understand professional literature. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Physical Therapy (PHTA 100), Fundamental Physical Therapy Skills (PHTA 101), and Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 217).

Corequisites: Kinesiology (PHTA 102), Musculoskeletal Pathologies (PHTA 103), and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 218), or permission of instructor.

PHTA 104 CLINICAL I

Summer, 4 credit hours

The student is assigned to a physical therapy clinical site where they will work under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist or a registered physical therapist assistant. This will provide the student with the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the classroom and laboratory into practice in a clinical setting. A strong emphasis is placed on communication/professional behaviors. This experience will take place at the end of the second semester and will last for four full-time weeks.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of first two semesters of PTA curriculum or permission of instructor. For PHTA majors only.

PHTA 105 MUSCULOSKELETAL ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES

Spring, 1 credit hour

This course introduces students to data collection tools used to assist the physical therapist with assessment of the musculoskeletal system. Emphasis will be placed on developing skill competency with goniometry and manual muscle testing, and postural assessment. Students will also gain familiarity with common medical imaging tests, orthopedic special tests, and functional assessments. Two laboratory hours per week in the second semester of the Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Physical Therapy (PHTA 100), Fundamental Physical Therapy Skills (PHTA 101), and Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 217). Corequisites: Kinesiology (PHTA 102), Musculoskeletal Pathologies (PHTA 103), and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 218), or permission of instructor.

PHTA 203 PTA SEMINAR I

Fall, 3 credit hours

This seminar course allows second year PTA students to engage in activities and discussions that will facilitate the development of the Core Values of physical therapy practice. Writing assignments, including a research paper, and in –class discussion, as well as outside activities, will foster the students' integration of the American Physical Therapy Association Core Values of accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, cultural competence, excellence, integrity, duty, and social responsibility in preparation for culminating clinical affiliation experiences and clinical practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

Prerequisites: First two semesters of PTA curriculum.

Corequisites: All third semester PHTA courses.

PHTA 204 CARDIOPULMONARY AND INTEGUMENTARY PATHOLOGIES

Fall, 3 credit hours

In the first half of the semester students will study the cardiopulmonary system and related pathologies. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation principles and management will be discussed and applied. Students will learn about diabetes and peripheral vascular disease as a lead-in to the integumentary system for the second half of the semester. Students will study interventions as related to the rehabilitation of integumentary injuries, including rehabilitation of amputees. Two hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all coursework in the first two semesters of the PTA curriculum and Clinical I (PHTA 104) or permission of instructor. PHTA majors only.

PHTA 205 NEUROMUSCULAR PATHOLOGIES

Fall, 4 credit hours

Neuroanatomy will be presented in preparation for the study of neurological assessments and facilitation techniques used in treatment of persons with neuromuscular pathologies. Normal, fine, and gross motor development and neuropathologies, both central and peripheral, throughout the life span will be discussed and treatment techniques practiced. Students will be involved in wellness programs at local agencies caring for persons with neurological conditions, analyze settings as they pertain to the American’s with Disabilities Act and examine the manifestations of living with a disability. Two hours lecture, four hours laboratory per week.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all coursework in the first two semesters of the PTA curriculum and Clinical I (PHTA 104) or permission of instructor. PHTA majors only.

PHTA 206 ADVANCED PHYSICAL THERAPY MODALITIES

Fall, 2 credit hours

Students will learn basic principles of electricity and electrotherapy. Application of electrotherapeutic agents for pain control, neuromuscular stimulation, and tissue/wound healing will be studied and applied. Students will be introduced to spinal traction as a therapeutic modality. Students will enhance their research skills by reviewing and critiquing current professional literature related to various course topics. One hour lecture, three hours laboratory per week.

Prerequisites: All first year PTA curriculum and Clinical I (PHTA 104) or permission of instructor. For PHTA majors only.

PHTA 207 CLINICAL II

Spring, 7 credit hours

This clinical practicum correlates with content taught in courses PHTA 100 through PHTA 206. The student is assigned to a physical therapy clinical site where he/she will work under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist or registered physical therapist assistant. This provides the student with the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory into practice in a clinical setting. The PTA student demonstrates clinical problem solving skills based on academic knowledge and previous lab and clinical experiences. This experience takes place during the fourth semester and will last seven full time weeks.

Prerequisites: First three semesters of PTA curriculum

Corequisites: All fourth semester PTA curriculum coursework

PHTA 209 CLINICAL III

Spring, 7 credit hours

This clinical practicum correlates with content taught in courses PHTA 100 through PHTA 207. Students are assigned to physical therapy clinic sites where they work under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist or registered physical therapist assistant. This provides students with the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills have learned in the classroom and laboratory into practice in a clinical setting as well as expand the practical knowledge learned in Clinical courses I and II. This experience begins in mid-fourth semester and will last seven full time weeks.

Prerequisites: First three semesters of PTA curriculum

Corequisites: All fourth semester PTA curriculum coursework

PHTA 210 PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT SEMINAR II

Spring, 2 credit hours

This course is designed to provide for the transition from the student role to the graduate role. Web-based review of national exam material will occur throughout the fourth semester of the PTA curriculum. Once back on campus students will participate in transitional preparation by performing licensing and interviewing procedures and sit for a mock national exam. Guest lecturers will present students with information on specialty areas in physical therapy to complete their academic experience A student/director conference is required for each student prior to graduation. Twelve hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week for one week, and one hour online per week for 15 weeks.

Prerequisites: First three semesters PTA curriculum, Clinical II (PHTA 207) and Clinical III (PHTA 209) or permission of instructor. PHTA majors only.