Curriculum

Students must familiarize themselves with the PTA curriculum. Louisiana College PTA students pursue an Associates of Physical Therapist Assistant degree. The curriculum design includes 42 hours of Physical Therapist Assistant Content. The courses are only open to those students who gain acceptance into the PTA program. (See Admissions Policy).

Technical Education Component - 2^nd Year

1^st Term (8 weeks)

Introduction to Physical Therapy (PT201):  This course is designed to build the foundation for the development of the PTA by gaining an understanding of standards for ethical conduct and standards of practice (APTA’s Guide to PT Practice),  developing the ability to utilize appropriate medical terminology in the clinical setting, becoming proficient at documentation, acquiring the skills necessary to communicate in an effective and culturally sensitive manner in the clinical setting, and attaining the research skills necessary to remain current in the field of physical therapy and assist in the preparation of professional presentations.  The concept of integration of a Christian worldview in the practice of physical therapy is explored.  Students are encouraged to identify his/her own worldview as well.

Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy (PT202):  Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy is a lecture and laboratory course focused on the study of human musculoskeletal and neuromuscular anatomy with emphasis on major bones, bony landmarks, joint anatomy, and origin/insertion/action/innervations of selected muscles.  Introduction to and application of physics principles, musculoskeletal anatomy, and muscle physiology to the biomechanics of human motion and normal posture/gait on a regional basis is also addressed in this course.  Goniometry and manual muscle testing are introduced in the course as well.

2^nd Term (16 weeks)

Physical Therapy Procedures (PT203):   Procedures in Physical Therapy is a lecture and laboratory course that focuses on the fundamentals of selected patient care activities, data collection, wound management/infection control, and environmental safety in the physical therapy setting.  The course is also intended to facilitate student acquisition of entry level skills related to data collection, wound care procedures, infection control procedures, and patient handling techniques.  Laboratory activities will also promote development of skills necessary to appropriately and effectively communicate with patients, family members, and/or other member of the healthcare team in regard to procedures practiced.

PT Interventions for the Orthopedic Client (PT204): This lecture and laboratory based course covers the pathophysiology, etiology, clinical signs and symptoms, and medical and physical therapy management of a variety of orthopedic and soft-tissue related injuries or pathologies on a regional bases most often treated in the clinical setting.

Principles of Physical Agents and Massage (PT205):  Physical Agents and Massage is a lecture and laboratory based course that is intended to educate the physical therapist assistant student about a variety of physical agents/therapeutic modalities utilized in the clinical setting.  The principles of physics employed as well as the indications and contraindications of each modality are discussed.  Therapeutic massage is also introduced including its physiological effects, indications/contraindications, and techniques.  Laboratory activities seek to promote clinical decision making and proficiency of application of various modalities and massage techniques by the student.

PTA Clinical Practicum I  (PT206)(3 weeks):  This Level I clinical experience provides supervised planned learning opportunities for students to apply basic physical therapy principles and techniques under the direction of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in the setting of an acute hospital, inpatient rehabilitation, or skilled nursing facility.   Basic techniques include but are not limited to: patient safety, patient set up, transfer training, gait training, measuring vital signs, administration of modalities, assessing range of motion and muscle strength, instruction on therapeutic exercise, and proper documentation in the medical charts.  Through reflective journaling, students will be challenged to identify how his/her personal value system/worldview facilitates conduct that reflects practice standards that are legal, ethical and safe and delivery of care in a compassionate and altruist manner in the clinical environment.

3^rd Term (16 weeks)

Clinical Neurorehabilitation and Motor Control (PT207):  Clinical Neurorehabilitation and Motor Control is a two part lecture/laboratory course. Part one links the structure and function of the Central, Peripheral, and Autonomic Nervous Systems with functional aspects of human movement and posture and discusses the influences of neurological pathways on muscle tone, sensation, reflexes, coordination and balance.  Part two of the course involves application of the knowledge acquired in part one to the treatment of patients with selected neurological conditions. 

Laboratory activities will focus on instruction in and practice of interim assessment and treatment techniques commonly utilized by the licensed PTA involving patients with selected interventions.  Case studies will also be utilized in the laboratory setting to facilitate critical thinking in the selection and implementation of appropriate interim assessments and/or therapeutic interventions.

PTA Seminar(PT208):  PTA Seminar is a course designed to introduce students to a variety of topics and areas of treatment including but not limited to amputation, prosthetics, orthotics, burns, pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health, aquatic therapy, examination of functional status, PTA in the home health setting, examination of the environment, and physical therapy’s role in prevention, health, and wellness.

Pathology of Cardiovascular and Multisystem Involvement (PT209):  This course focuses on principles and techniques of therapeutic exercise in the management of patients with various cardiovascular, pulmonary, and other chronic disease processes with emphasis on the application of selected exercise interventions.  Patient/family involvement and education as a means to facilitate functional outcomes is also addressed.

PTA Clinical Practicum II  (PT210) (5 weeks):  This course is a supervised learning experience in a selected physical therapy setting in which previously taught information is integrated under the supervision of clinical physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.  This course is designed to teach students the necessary skills for physical therapy patient care and to build on the skills and knowledge learned in PTA 206.  These skills include ( but are not limited to) active, passive, and resistive exercise programs, as well as continued practice in the delivery of modalities, gait training, transfer training, proper documentation, and overall patient safety.  Students will also learn the fundamentals of clinical education by providing an in-service to the therapy staff on a topic that is agreed upon by the student and Clinical Instructor. Through reflective journaling, students will be challenged to identify how his/her personal value system/worldview facilitates conduct that reflects practice standards that are legal, ethical and safe and delivery of care in a compassionate and altruist manner in the clinical environment.

4^th Term (8 weeks)

PTA Clinical Practicum III (PT211) (7 weeks):  This course is a supervised learning experience in a selected physical therapy setting in which previously taught information is integrated under the supervision of clinical physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. This course builds on the skills learned and exercised in PTA 210.  This course focuses on the collection and interpretation of clinical data and includes exposure to various testing devices and treatments for balance, coordination, and strength.  Students are expected to adjust patient treatment plans based on the test results and to communicate these to the CI for the purpose of modifying the treatment plan. The student will also provide daily patient and caregiver education as related to treatment as well as provide an in-service to the therapy staff on a topic that is agreed upon by the student and the CI.  Through reflective journaling, students will be challenged to identify how his/her personal value system/worldview facilitates conduct that reflects practice standards that are legal, ethical and safe and delivery of care in a compassionate and altruist manner in the clinical environment.

Transition to the PTA career (PT212) (1 week):  This course is designed to further facilitate students’ transition from the academic setting to the clinical environment as a member of the healthcare team.  Transition to Career as a PTA expounds on topics introduced in the course, Introduction to Physical Therapy including utilization of the APTA’s Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners’ Practice Act, and APTA’s Standards of Ethical Conduct For the Physical Therapist Assistant.  Preparation for the Federation of States Boards of Physical Therapy Licensure Examination and a comprehensive review of all assessment and intervention skills covered in the program will be incorporated in the course as well.  Students will be encouraged, through reflection and discussion, to identify the impact of his/her worldview on future work as a PTA.  Students will also be provided the opportunity to explore avenues of career development, ways to contribute to the profession, and opportunities for life-long learning.

College PTA program reserves the right to revise the curriculum and educational policies for continued development of a program of academic excellence.

At the beginning of each course, students are provided with a syllabus which contains a course description with objectives, attendance requirements, grading scale, teaching methods, content outline and learning activities.