AHPT 210 - Clinical Experience I

• Demonstrate refinement of skills, techniques, treatment preparation, and follow through acquired in previous PTA coursework.
• Demonstrate development of skills in verbal, nonverbal and written communication with patients, families, peers and supervisors to achieve patient outcomes that are based on the plan of care and that are accurate, timely, and concise using proper format with frequent guidance from the clinical instructor.
• Develop and present educational material for the purpose of patient, family, caregiver and health care team with frequent guidance from the clinical instructor.
• Perform responsibilities as a PTA student by following the established plan of care including treating patients and reporting status to the supervising PT with frequent guidance from the clinical instructor.
• Demonstrate advanced beginner level of competence in implementation of the following data collection skills as assigned/available during the clinical experience:
• Range of motion using appropriate measurement device
• Muscle performance (manual muscle testing, muscle length, muscle tone)
• Anthropometric measurements
• Pain level
• Joint integrity and mobility
• Integumentary integrity
• Vital signs
• Posture
• Self-care status (observation, standardized assessments)
• Safety and status in gait, locomotion, and balance
• Aerobic capacity and endurance
• Ventilation, respiration, and circulation
• Demonstrate advanced beginner level of competence in implementation of the following components of treatment interventions as assigned/available during the clinical experience within the plan of care established by the physical therapist: Passive range of motion, active range of motion, active assistive range of motion, Therapeutic exercise, Ambulation with assistive devices, Transfers and bed mobility/positioning, Standard isolation precautions, Wound management, Sterile technique and sterile field, Compression therapies, Hydrotherapy, Superficial thermal agents, Cryotherapies, Contrast bath.
• Breathing exercises and coughing technique.
• Recognize when an intervention should not be provided due to a change in medical status and when an intervention by the physical therapist is necessary.
• Consistently demonstrate the ability to perform PTA skills and behaviors legally, ethically and safely with occasional guidance for unusual situations.
• Participate in routine administrative procedures of the clinic/facility including billing and patient scheduling with direct guidance from the clinical instructor.
• Demonstrate behavior and clinical judgment that indicates acknowledgement, respect and incorporation of the cultural, religious, and individual differences of patients/clients, caregivers, and family members when providing physical therapy interventions.
• Adhere to legal practice standards for the student physical therapist within the context of the clinical setting in relation to patient care and fiscal management/billing procedures with guidance from the clinical instructor.
• Identify ethical or legal concerns within the clinical setting and discuss ramifications or possible solutions with the clinical instructor.
• Recognize, document, and report to the supervising physical therapist any changes in patient status.
• Accurately document patient treatments using the facility’s electronic medical record system or SOAP note format.
• Demonstrate sound clinical decisions within the plan of care to assess and maximize patient and healthcare provider safety and comfort while performing selected interventions.
• Demonstrate personal lifestyle, wellness, injury prevention and health promoting behavior efforts as a model for the patient/client.
• Respond with guidance to patient/client and environmental emergencies that commonly occur in the clinical setting.
• Interview patients/clients and caregivers to obtain information related to current and prior level of function and health status.
• Explain the roles of the PT, PTA, and other members of the health care team and the significance of those roles in the provision of optimum care to the patient/client.
• Identify caring behaviors by healthcare workers and model caring behaviors in interactions with patients/clients.
• Monitor and modify interventions in the plan of care in response to patient/client status and clinical indications with guidance from the clinical instructor.
• Describe ways that the physical therapy profession contributes to society and identify areas to serve in the physical therapy profession and the community.
• Seek clarification of the plan of care and selected interventions from the clinical instructor and/or supervising physical therapist.
• Demonstrate competency in reviewing health records (e.g., lab values, diagnostic tests, specialty reports, narrative, consults, and physical therapy documentation) prior to carrying out the PT plan of care.
• Achieve “Advanced Beginner” competency on the Clinical Performance Instrument (CPI) for all items applicable to the clinical setting and dependent upon available opportunities in that setting.