MCCCD Program Description

Clinical Practicum I

Course: PTA206

First Term: 2025 Fall

Laboratory 3.0 Credit(s) 15.0 Period(s) 0.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: B - Site Based Experience Load

Description: Clinical experience with advanced beginner or higher level of performance for physical therapist assisting students. Application of physical therapy skills and techniques in specific clinical settings including outpatient, hospital, rehabilitation and skilled nursing care.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Perform in a safe manner that minimizes the risk to patient, self, and others. (I) 2. Demonstrate expected clinical behaviors in a professional manner. (II) 3. Perform in a manner consistent with established legal standards, standards of the profession, and ethical guidelines. (III) 4. Adapt delivery of physical therapy services with consideration for patients` differences, values, preferences, and needs. (IV) 5. Communicate in ways that are congruent with situational needs. (V) 6. Perform self-assessment and develops plans to improve knowledge, skills, and behaviors. (VI) 7. Demonstrate effective clinical problem solving using evidence-based resources and medical information in the implementation and progression of the plan of care. (VII) 8. Demonstrate clinical problem solving. (VII) 9. Perform selected therapeutic exercises in a competent manner. (VIII) 10. Apply selected manual therapy, airway clearance, and integumentary repair and protection techniques in a competent manner. (IX) 11. Apply selected physical agents and mechanical modalities in a competent manner. (X) 12. Perform functional training in self-care and home management and application and adjustment of devices and equipment in a competent manner. (XI) 13. Produce quality documentation in a timely manner to support the delivery of physical therapy services. (XII) 14. Contribute to the efficient delivery of physical therapy services. (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. Safety A. Universal precautions B. Emergency situations C. Safe handling of patients D. Management of IVs, catheters, assistive devices and medical equipment E. Requesting assistance F. Facility-specific safety policies and procedures G. Recognizing physiological and psychological changes H. Adjusting/withholding interventions II. Clinical behaviors A. Initiative and preparedness B. Attendance C. Dependability D. Appropriate attire E. Integrity F. Care, compassion, empathy G. Relationships with colleagues H. Positive working environment I. Accepting feedback J. Conflict management K. Patient privacy and modesty L. Dignity of patients as individuals M. Feedback on clinical performance N. Feedback to clinical instructors O. Unexpected changes in schedule P. Promoting the profession of physical therapy III. Accountability A. Patient`s needs above self interests B. Accepting responsibility for actions and reporting errors C. Remedying errors in a timely manner D. Facility policies - OSHA and HIPAA E. Patient confidentiality F. Legal and ethical standards G. Legal/ethical concerns H. Professional ethical standards I. Performance and behavioral requirements J. Timely submission of billing K. Reimbursement guidelines IV. Cultural competence A. Understanding individual and cultural differences and adapting as needed B. Communicating with sensitivity, considering language barriers C. Differences in race/ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability/health status D. Providing care in a nonjudgmental manner E. Socio-cultural, psychological, and economic influences F. Self-awareness of social and cultural biases - preventing biases from negatively impacting patient care V. Communication A. Physical therapist evaluation and plan of care B. Interventions C. Reporting safety concerns (vital signs, level of awareness, etc.) D. Reporting instances when patient safety cannot be assured E. Reporting instances of lack of progress in the plan of care F. Reporting patient response when expectations of progress are met G. Intervention and data collection H. Verbal, nonverbal, and written communication I. Active listening skills J. Nonverbal communication K. Adjusting communication to target audience L. Using language patient can understand M. Promoting conflict resolution N. Selecting appropriate persons to communicate patient`s status O. Self-evaluation of communication - modifying communication P. Feedback from multiple sources in patient care Q. Instructing members of the health care team VI. Self-assessment and lifelong learning A. Strengths and limitations in clinical performance B. Seeking guidance to address limitations C. Self-assessment and feedback from others to improve clinical knowledge, skills and behaviors D. Accepting responsibility for actions E. Short and long-term goals to improve clinical skills and behaviors F. Additional learning experiences to enhance clinical performance G. Responsibility for continuous learning H. Discussing professional issues in physical therapy practice I. Feedback on performance, behaviors, goals J. Current knowledge/theory to provide optimal care VII. Clinical problem solving A. Sound rationale B. Plan of care and selected interventions C. Data from multiple resources 1. Lab values 2. Diagnostic tests 3. Specialty reports 4. Narrative 5. Consults 6. Physical therapy documentation D. Maximizing patient safety and comfort during treatment E. Maximizing intervention outcomes F. Communication 1. Changes in patient status 2. Changes or lack of changes in intervention outcomes 3. Completion of intervention expectations G. Performing professionally in emergency situations VIII. Interventions: therapeutic exercise A. Therapeutic exercise 1. Aerobic capacity/endurance 2. Conditioning/reconditioning 3. Balance, coordination, agility 4. Body mechanics and postural stabilization 5. Flexibility exercises 6. Gait and locomotion training 7. Relaxation 8. Strength, power and endurance training B. Data collection skills 1. Anthropometric characteristics 2. Arousal, attention, cognition 3. Assistive/adaptive devices 4. Body mechanics 5. Environmental, self care, home issues 6. Gait, locomotion, balance 7. Muscle function 8. Pain 9. Posture 10. Range of motion 11. Sensory response 12. Vital signs IX. Interventions: therapeutic techniques A. Techniques 1. Massage 2. Passive range of motion 3. Breathing techniques 4. Ventilation and perfusion 5. Administering prescribed oxygen 6. Integumentary repair: wound cleansing and dressing 7. Integumentary repair: repositioning 8. Integumentary repair: patient education 9. Integumentary repair: edema management B. Data collection 1. Anthropometric characteristics 2. Integumentary integrity 3. Pain 4. Range of motion 5. Sensory response 6. Vital signs X. Interventions: physical agents and mechanical modalities A. Techniques 1. Cryotherapy 2. Thermotherapy 3. Ultrasound 4. Mechanical compression 5. Mechanical motion devices 6. Traction B. Data collection 1. Anthropometric characteristics 2. Arousal, attention, cognition 3. Integumentary integrity 4. Pain 5. Range of motion 6. Sensory response 7. Vital signs XI. Interventions: functional training and application of devices and adaptive equipment A. Techniques 1. Transfers 2. Bed mobility 3. Device and equipment use and training 4. Injury prevention/reduction 5. Adaptive devices 6. Cane 7. Crutches 8. Walkers 9. Wheelchairs 10. Long-handled reachers 11. Supportive devices B. Data collection 1. Anthropometric characteristics 2. Arousal, attention, cognition 3. Assistive/adaptive devices 4. Body mechanics 5. Environmental, self-care, home issues 6. Gait, locomotion, balance 7. Integumentary integrity 8. Pain 9. Posture 10. Sensory response XII. Documentation A. Selecting relevant information to document B. Interventions, patient response, data collection, and communication C. Accurate, concise, timely, legible, grammatically/technically correct documentation D. Documentation meets requirements of the facility, regulatory agencies, and third-party payers XIII. Resource management A. Scheduling patients, equipment and space B. Coordinating with supervising physical therapist and others for effective and efficient patient care C. Setting priorities for use of resources D. Effective use of time E. Effective utilization of facility information technology F. Risk management strategies G. Effective/efficient use of equipment H. Assuring equipment is safe prior to use I. Utilizing support personnel as allowed by law J. Quality improvement activities K. Special events including health and wellness promotion

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: March 25, 2025

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.