PTA 203 - Specialty Topics in Physical Therapy

1. Demonstrate competence through examination in content and learning experiences about body systems and related medical and surgical conditions across the lifespan commonly seen by physical therapist assistants.  (7B)
2. Recognize legal practice standards, including all federal, state, and institutional regulations related to patient/client care and fiscal management.  (7D1 – Ethics, Values and Responsibilities)
3. Perform duties in a manner consistent with the Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant (APTA) and Standards of Ethical Conduct (APTA) to meet the expectations of patients, members of the physical therapy profession, and other providers as necessary. (7D4 – Ethics, Values and Responsibilities) 
4. Perform duties in a manner consistent with APTA’s Values Based Behaviors for the Physical Therapist Assistant. (7D5 – Ethics, Values and Responsibilities)
5. Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including patients/clients, family members, caregivers, practitioners, interprofessional  team members, consumers, payers, and policymakers.  (7D7 – Ethics, Values and Responsibilities) 
6. Identify, respect, and act with consideration for patients’/clients’ differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs in all work-related activities. (7D8 – Ethics, Values and Responsibilities)
7. Identify basic concepts in professional literature including, but not limited to, validity, reliability and level of statistical significance. (7D10 – Ethics, Values and Responsibilities) 
8. Identify and integrate appropriate evidence based resources to support clinical decision making for progression of the patient within the plan of care established by the physical therapist. (7D11 – Ethics, Values and Responsibilities) 
9. Communicate an understanding of the plan of care developed by the physical therapist to achieve short and long term goals and intended outcomes. (7D17 – Plan of Care)
10. Demonstrate competence in implementing selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist. Interventions include Functional Training in Self-Care and in Domestic, Education, Work, Community, Social, and Civic Life, Patient/Client Education, Therapeutic Exercise (7D23 d, g, h – Intervention)
11. Demonstrate competence in performing components of data collection skills essential for carrying out the plan of care by administering appropriate tests and measures (before, during and after interventions) for the following areas:  Aerobic capacity and endurance, anthropometric measurements, Gait, Locomotion, and Balance, Joint Integrity and Mobility, Muscle Performance, Posture, Range of Motion. (7D24 a, b, e, g, h, k, l – Tests and Measures) 
12. Complete accurate documentation that follows guidelines and specific documentation formats required by state practice acts, the practice setting, and other regulatory agencies. (7D25 – Tests and Measures)
13. Respond effectively to patient/client and environmental emergencies that commonly occur in the clinical setting. (7D26 – Tests and Measures)
14. Contribute to efforts to increase patient and healthcare provider safety (7D27 – Participation in Health Care Environment)

1. American Physical Therapy Association’s Adult Fitness Examination
2. Basic Life Support (AED/CPR)
3. Data collection
4. Emergency management/first aid
5. Health & wellness
6. Naloxone administration
7. Physical therapy specialty topics
8. Physical therapy specialty treatment settings

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Information Literacy

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