Physical Therapist Assistant Courses
PTA 101 Fundamentals of Physical Therapy (with lab) (3 cr)
This course is an introduction to physical therapy and the role of the physical therapist assistant including historical perspectives, professional ethics, the role of the American Physical Therapy Association, and the patient/client management model. Skill and safety in positioning, draping, infection control, managing equipment, transfers, and assistive devices will be covered. Medical records, documentation, professional behaviors, and learning styles are also introduced.
PTA 103 PTA Clinical I (1 cr)
This course is designed to introduce students to the clinical environment. Students will have the opportunity to interact with physical therapy staff and other health care professionals in order to increase their understanding of the physical therapy profession and delivery of health care. Students will incorporate Mercy’s core values into their interactions with patients, families, and the health care team. These experiences occur off-campus.
PTA 130 Kinesiology (with lab) (4 cr)
This course is an introduction to the study of human movement. Forces, levers, joint function, muscle function, and analysis of movement are covered. Surface anatomy is also emphasized.
PTA 135 Essential Skills in Physical Therapy I (with lab) (2 cr)
Beginning data collection skills are developed in the course. Visual appraisal, interviewing, vital signs, anthropometrics, cognition, pain assessment, range of motion, muscle strength, skin integrity, sensation, posture, and gait are covered. Guidelines for documentation are integrated into the content. Laboratory sessions will reinforce lecture material and allow for skill development.
PTA 160 Physical Therapy Modalities (with lab) (4 cr)
The focus of this course is on the application of thermal, mechanical, and electrotherapeutic modalities. Indications, precautions, and contraindications are discussed. Laboratory sessions will reinforce lecture material and allow for skill development. Case studies will reinforce legal and ethical practice in regard to modalities.
PTA 162 Therapeutic Exercise (with lab) (4 cr)
This course introduces the principles of exercise training and progression. Specific responses of various physiological systems to exercise are presented. Benefits of physical activity and indications for specific exercises are discussed. Laboratory sessions will reinforce lecture material and allow for skill development.
PTA 163 PTA Clinical II (2 cr)
This course provides students with the opportunity to interact with physical therapy staff and other health care practitioners in a clinical setting and to continue practicing skills. Students will correlate theory to clinical practice and perform physical therapy data collection techniques and interventions under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and/or physical therapist assistant. This experience provides an introduction to progression and monitoring of a care plan in the clinical environment. Students will incorporate the core values of Mercy into their interactions with patients, families, and the health care team.
PTA 165 Essential Skills in Physical Therapy II (with lab) (2 cr)
This course provides continued instruction in data collection techniques including arousal, cognition, balance, coordination, gait, muscle length, motor development, environmental barriers, respiratory function, endurance, and functional assessment tools. Teaching and learning theories are introduced. Guidelines for documentation are integrated into the content. Laboratory sessions will reinforce lecture material and allow for skill development.
PTA 201 Physical Therapy Interventions for Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Conditions (with lab) (3 cr)
This course focuses on the prevention and management of musculoskeletal and integumentary conditions. Specific direct interventions will be presented for each of the practice patterns in these areas. Laboratory sessions will reinforce lecture material and allow for skill development.
PTA 202 Physical Therapy Interventions for Neuromuscular and Cardiopulmonary Conditions (with lab) (3 cr)
This course focuses on the prevention and management of cardiopulmonary and neuromuscular conditions. Specific direct interventions will be presented for each of the practice patterns in these areas. Laboratory sessions will reinforce lecture material and allow for skill development.
PTA 204 Professional Issues (2 cr)
Focus will be on professional skills needed to function in entry-level practice. Students will study organizational structures, quality improvement, federal and state regulations including licensure, liability, and legislative processes. Students will define and identify ethical dilemmas in health care through case studies. Preparation for the licensure examination and resume development begins.
PTA 230 Issues in Clinical Practice (1 cr)
This course provides students with the opportunity to reflect on clinical experiences, identify ethical dilemmas, and work on solutions. The collaborative relationship between the physical therapist and the physical therapist assistant will be reinforced. Coding and billing are discussed. The importance of lifelong learning is emphasized.
PTA 232 PTA Clinical III (5.5 cr)
This course provides students with the opportunity to interact with physical therapy staff and other health care practitioners in a clinical setting and to continue development of clinical skills. Students will perform physical therapy data collection and interventions under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and/or physical therapist assistant. Students will incorporate the core values of Mercy into their interactions with patients, families, and the health care team. This experience occurs off-campus.
PTA 234 PTA Clinical IV (5.5 cr)
This course provides students with the opportunity to perform the duties and responsibilities of an entry-level physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and/or physical therapist assistant. Students will incorporate the core values of Mercy into their interactions with patients, families, and the health care team. This experience occurs off-campus.
PTA 235 PTA Seminar (1 cr)
This course serves as a culminating experience in which students are expected to apply knowledge gained throughout the curriculum to professional practice. Students will select a clinically-related project which will be completed during Clinical IV. A formal paper and presentation to peers and faculty will follow. A mock licensure examination will also be administered.
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