MCCCD Program Description

Rehabilitation Technician

Course: NCE273

First Term: 2020 Summer

Lec + Lab 2.0 Credit(s) 2.5 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: R - Nursing Load

Description: The rehabilitation technician (RT) performs patient related care tasks, assists patients with activities of daily living and provides direct patient care under supervision of the licensed nurse and or licensed therapist. Obtains and records patient vital signs. Monitors and records daily intake and output. Obtains specimens, including non-invasive body fluids and blood specimens. Performs electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode placement, running ECG strips, and blood glucose monitoring. Assists physician, licensed nurse, or licensed therapist with diagnostic tests, clinical procedures, and other tasks as requested. Communicates patient needs and observed/reported changes in patient condition to supervising licensed nurse, physician or licensed therapist. Documents all interactions as directed by licensed nurse, physician, or licensed therapist. Assists licensed therapist in performing therapeutic procedures. Carries out assigned rehab tech duties such as cleaning treatment areas, completing equipment maintenance and transporting patients.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Review and compare the roles of the nursing assistant/caregiver and the rehabilitation technician (RT) as well as the health care team members. (I, II) 2. Collaborate with the nurse and/or therapist to review and participate in the interdisciplinary plan of care for the patient. (III) 3. Communicate professionally, therapeutically, and effectively with patients, family, and healthcare team members. (IV) 4. Describe passive, active, active-assisted, and resisted range of motion activities. (V) 5. Assist with ambulation and therapeutic exercise activities under direction of licensed nurse or therapist per facility policy. (V, VIII) 6. Demonstrate use of adaptive/assistive and therapeutic devices to achieve optimal independence in performing activities of daily living. (VI) 7. Assist patient with prescribed transfer activities and complete transfers using safe techniques both with and without safe patient handling equipment. (VII, VIII) 8. Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to ensure a safe environment and protection for the patient. (VII, VIII, X) 9. Monitor and document patient`s height, weight, vital signs, positioning, activities of daily living, intake and output (I&O`s), blood glucose readings, reporting findings to supervising healthcare provider. (IX) 10. Manage resources effectively for optimal patient safety and management of care. (XI)
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. Roles and responsibilities of the nurse assistant/caregiver and rehabilitation technician A. Role and responsibilities B. Scope of practice C. Credentialing D. Ethical and legal considerations E. Inpatient (acute) rehabilitation (rehab) vs. sub-acute rehab II. Health care team roles and responsibilities A. Registered nurse B. Licensed practical nurse C. Nurse practitioner, physician D. Physical and occupational therapist III. Recording and reporting A. Interdisciplinary patient care plans B. Progression in the plan of care C. Documentation D. Collaborating with the physical and occupational therapist IV. Professional communication skills A. Professional relationships B. Therapeutic relationships C. Communicating with the health care team D. Respect for patients, families E. Respect for members of the healthcare team V. Basic principles of exercise A. Passive, active, active-assisted, and resisted range of motion (ROM) B. Progressive resisted exercise 1. Definitions 2. Theories and principles 3. Techniques C. Exercise equipment D. Aerobic exercise 1. Principles 2. Techniques 3. Monitoring E. Relaxation exercises F. Closed chain/proprioceptive exercises G. Patient instruction 1. In facility 2. For home exercise VI. Adaptive/assistive and therapeutic devices A. Walkers B. Canes C. Parallel bars D. Crutches E. Floor based and ceiling safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) devices VII. Bed mobility and transfer training A. Principles B. Classifications of assistance C. Bedside assessment tools D. Instruction cues 1. Verbal/auditory 2. Physical/tactile 3. Visual E. Techniques F. Basic equipment G. Safe patient handling equipment VIII. Ambulation/gait training A. Normal gait review B. Basic gait deviations and weight bearing status C. Equipment D. Techniques E. Classifications of assist F. Patient instruction and assistance G. Level surfaces H. Curbs/stairs IX. Data collection and reporting skills A. Height B. Weight C. Vital signs 1. Blood pressure (including orthostatic blood pressure readings) 2. Pulse 3. Temperature D. Intake and output (I&O) E. Ambulation with gait belt F. Activities of daily living G. Positioning H. Blood glucose I. Reporting/documenting findings J. Skin prep and placement of ECG electrodes K. Feeding/swallowing precautions X. Safety A. Principles of environmental safety B. Client safety and mobility C. Infection control D. Fall prevention E. Principles of personal safety XI. Resource management A. Scheduling/managing patients, equipment and space as required B. Coordinating with supervising nurse and/or therapist and other team members for effective and efficient patient care C. Setting priorities for use of resources D. Displaying effective use of time E. Demonstrating competent, ethical use of information technology F. Utilizing risk management strategies G. Assuring equipment is safe prior to use H. Utilizing support personnel as appropriate I. Participating in quality improvement activities

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: May 26, 2020

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.