Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Provides an overview of the physical therapy profession and the national organization, APTA. Discusses the role of the PTA including legal and ethical practice, as well as evidence-based practice. Explores reaction to disability and considers communication strategies. Discusses the patient care process and the treatment of diverse populations. Includes concepts of learning self and peer assessments and goal setting. Requires three mandatory face-to-face sessions with the remainder of the course work completed online. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Explores the concept of patient assessment, beginning with the patient interview and including a variety of tests and measures that are performed by the physical therapist assistant. Addresses infection control and documentation. Includes discussion, laboratory practice and performance testing for selected tests and measures. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Introduces patient care activities for the PTA, including positioning and draping, posture and body mechanics. Covers pre-ambulation activities, including exercise and functional activities, fitting of assistive devices, gait training, and negotiation of architectural barriers. Includes a 32-hour off-campus clinical experience. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Take PTA-103. Take PTA-120. Take PTA-140.

Provides a basic understanding of normal human body movement as related to skeletal, articular, neurological and muscular systems. Addresses movement of arm, levers, torque, center of gravity and base of support as they relate to balance. Covers anatomical palpation, normal posture and gait. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Presents normal human development as it relates to movement and functional independence. Covers lifetime development of each body system, and the functional implications of changes in these body systems. Discusses the psychosocial issues typical at each stage of the lifespan and useful teaching strategies for physical therapy interventions. Includes a 15-hour off-campus service learning experience. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Presents clinical disorders and diseases commonly treated in physical therapy. Covers pathology, etiology, diagnosis, signs, symptoms and prognosis. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Take PTA-120. Take BIO-168. Take BIO-173.

Introduces assessment skills and exercise procedures performed by the PTA. Covers theory and application of goniometry, manual muscle testing, and palpation. Introduces basic exercise choices as they relate to results of assessment procedures. Includes laboratory demonstration and practice of each skill. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Take BIO-168. Take BIO-173. Take PTA-103. Take PTA-110. Take PTA-120. Take PTA-150. Take PTA-196.

Introduces additional assessment skills performed by the PTA. Provides an introduction to therapeutic exercise principles. Covers theory and application of exercise techniques including range of motion, strengthening, flexibility, and aerobic exercise. Includes laboratory demonstration and practice of each skill. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Take BIO-168. Take BIO-173. Take PTA-103. Take PTA-110. Take PTA-120. Take PTA-150. Take PTA-196.

Corequisite: Take PTA-160.

Prepares the student to use modalities for patient/client management. Presents the science of modalities along with mechanisms of action, physiological processes, indications and contraindications for each modality. Discusses mechanisms of pain management and incorporates them into patient interventions. Covers patient preparation and assessment, the healing process, pain assessment, superficial and deep heat, cold, intermittent compression pumps/edema management strategies, therapeutic massage, spinal traction, ultrasound, diathermy, biofeedback, electrical stimulation (pain, edema, wound care and muscle dysfunction), wound care techniques and hydrotherapy. Includes physiological mechanisms, indications, contraindications, precautions as well as application techniques for each modality. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Pre/corequisite: Take PTA-120.

Introduces therapeutic exercise with a focus on flexibility and strengthening. Reviews muscle function at each joint. Introduces concepts related to exercise choice and progression. Lab will include clinical reasoning, therapeutic exercise instruction and patient/client education using role playing and simulated patient cases. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Take PTA-120.

Provides application of clinical problem solving for patients with a variety of orthopedic conditions. Covers therapeutic interventions directed to specific impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions as well as precautions, contraindications, and special considerations based on diagnosis. Introduces the concept of following a physician protocol while working within the plan of care developed by the PT. Includes application of course concepts to patient assessment, interventions, progression, and patient and family education. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Minimum C in PTA-301.

Provides application of clinical problem solving for patients with a variety of general medical conditions. Covers therapeutic exercise directed to specific impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions as well as special considerations for a variety of medical diagnoses. Includes application of course concepts to patient assessment and interventions, patient progression, and patient and family education. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Minimum C in PTA-301.

Provides application of clinical problem solving for patients with a variety of neurological conditions, including pediatric and adult populations. Covers therapeutic interventions directed to specific impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions as well as precautions and special considerations based on diagnosis. Includes application of course concepts to patient assessment, interventions, progression, and patient and family education. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Minimum C in PTA-301.

Discusses basic career principles, including levels of authority and responsibility, supervision, performance appraisals, policies and procedures and ethical and legal guidelines. Reviews rules and regulations governing PTA practice in Iowa, and the licensure application and preparation process. Discusses quality assurance, chart audits, varieties of reimbursement systems and their impact on health care delivery. Covers resume writing, interviewing and employment skills, as well as self and peer assessment as a tool for career development and lifelong learning. Integrates two mandatory face-to-face sessions with the remainder of the course material covered online. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B; Comments: Involves a component of independent study as well as classroom activities

Prerequisite: Take PTA-215. Take PTA-232. Take PTA-241. Take PTA-301. Take PTA-302.

Corequisite: Take PTA-432.

Prepares the student for clinical experiences and practice. Covers clinical reasoning, communication, ethical and legal guidelines, risk management, professionalism, supervision requirements, reimbursement and documentation as they relate to clinical practice. Explores the concepts of the PT/PTA and CI/student teams within a clinical setting and the process for student evaluation of clinical performance. Includes application of new concepts and skills learned in previous PTA course work to case studies and simulated patient care in selected clinical settings. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Take BIO-168. Take BIO-173. Take PTA-103. Take PTA-110. Take PTA-120. Take PTA-150. Take PTA-196.

Corequisite: Take PTA-160. Take PTA-161.

Includes application of new concepts and skills learned in previous PTA coursework to direct patient care in selected clinical settings. Includes classroom component reviewing concepts of clinical reasoning, communication, ethical and legal guidelines, risk management, professionalism, supervision requirements, evidence based practice, reimbursement, documentation and career development. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Take PTA-301.

Provides a full-time, off-site clinical experience in which students care for patients under the supervision of a licensed PT or PTA. Develops proficiency in students who apply previously learned concepts and skills to patient interactions and interventions. Expands clinical problem solving and critical thinking skills related to patient care. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Minimum C in PTA-215. Minimum C in PTA-232. Minimum C in PTA-241. Minimum C in PTA-301. Minimum C in PTA-302.

Corequisite: Take PTA-250.

Provides a full-time, off-site clinical experience for students to care for patients under the supervision of a licensed PT or PTA. Develops student proficiency in patient treatment interventions and interactions through continued application of previously learned concepts and skills. Prepares students for entry-level practice through advanced clinical problem solving and critical thinking related to patient care. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B

Prerequisite: Minimum C in PTA-432. Minimum C in PTA-215. Minimum C in PTA-232. Minimum C in PTA-241. Minimum C in PTA-301. Minimum C in PTA-302.

Corequisite: Take PTA-250.

Allows a qualified honors student to pursue a special concentration of study under the guidance of a faculty member. Requires completion of an honors project contract. May be taken more than once. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: B; Comments: Requires approval of supervising professor and dean