MCCCD Program Description

Physical Therapy Seminar

Course: PTA230

First Term: 2018 Fall

Lecture 2.0 Credit(s) 2.0 Period(s) 2.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Current practices and issues in physical therapy. Clinical problem solving, ethics, legal aspects, reimbursement, management, research. Resume preparation and job interviewing skills. Stress management techniques. Total quality management principles. Employment issues. Prevention of fraud and abuse. Career and professional development. Job descriptions, performance assessments, and wage and salary administration.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe a system of problem solving for physical therapy treatment problems and conflicts. (I) 2. Analyze a given clinical physical therapy problem or conflict situation and develop an action plan to solve the problem. (I) 3. Describe the importance of documentation in the physical therapy practice setting. (II) 4. Explain issues specific to delegation and supervision in the workplace. (II) 5. Demonstrate an understanding of the law and rules that govern the practice of physical therapy in Arizona. (II) 6. List the legal precedents associated with preventing fraud and abuse in the provision of physical therapy services. (II) 7. Describe the legal precedents associated with preventing fraud and abuse in the provision of physical therapy services. (II) 8. Compare and contrast specific methods of reimbursement for physical therapy services. (III) 9. Discuss various methods that can be used to find a job as a physical therapist assistant. (IV) 10. Write a resume and cover letter for a job as a physical therapist assistant. (IV) 11. Prepare a list of questions for a job interview emphasizing the important aspects of the physical therapist assistant job. (IV) 12. Discuss potential questions that are asked of the candidate for a job as a physical therapist assistant. (IV) 13. Critique the pros and cons of various employment settings for physical therapist assistants. (IV) 14. List the key characteristics of the physical therapist assistant as an employee. (V) 15. Describe specific techniques of stress management. (VI) 16. Describe the five steps of the management process and how they are applied to the physical therapy practice setting. (VII) 17. Explain principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) and how it is applied in the physical therapy practice setting. (VIII) 18. Describe the key elements of a job description. (IX) 19. Describe methods of measuring productivity in the physical therapy practice setting. (X) 20. Explain how job performance is assessed in physical therapy practice settings. (XI) 21. Describe methods of wage and salary administration in the physical therapy practice setting. (XII) 22. Discuss career development and lifelong learning opportunities for the physical therapist assistant. (XIII) 23. Discuss the role of the physical therapist assistant in the clinical education of physical therapist assistant students. (XIII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Conflict management and clinical problem solving A. Gather data B. Define the problem C. Possible solutions D. Develop an action plan E. Implement the plan F. Assess the effectiveness of the plan G. Modify the plan H. Consideration of discharge II. Legal Issues A. Documentation B. Malpractice C. Standards of practice D. Licensure/certification E. Prescriptions F. Delegation and supervision G. Fraud and abuse III. Reimbursement Issues A. Private insurance B. Managed care C. Medicare D. Medicaid/Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) E. Other IV. Finding employment A. Resume writing B. Publicized job vacancies C. Interviewing D. The employment agreement E. Clinical settings V. Physical therapist assistant characteristics A. Punctuality/attendance B. Clinical competency C. Productivity D. Characteristics E. Health team member F. Other VI. Stress management A. Stress management techniques B. Signs of burnout VII. Management A. Planning B. Organizing C. Staffing D. Leading E. Controlling VIII. Total quality management A. Shared vision B. Zero defects IX. Job description A. Key functions B. Education required C. Skills required D. Physical requirements X. Productivity A. Number of patient visits B. Number of procedures C. Accounting for non-patient care duties XI. Performance assessment A. Management by objectives B. Key indicators of performance C. Employee participation XII. Wage and salary administration A. Annual percentage increases B. Performance based incentives C. Cost of living adjustments XIII. Career development as a physical therapist assistant A. Career development B. Life-long learning opportunities C. The PTA as clinical instructor

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: May 22, 2018

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.