PTA 224W - Clinical Education III

1. Comply with departmental policies and procedures at the assigned clinical site.    
   1. Read the clinical site policy and procedure manual.
   2. Ask questions about any part of the manual that the student does not understand.
   3. Employ good time management skills.
   4. Discuss the influence of policies and procedures on the workings of the department.
   5. Complete billing and statistical records accurately.
   6. Review CSIF for the applicable clinical site.
2. Perform assessment procedures within the scope of practice of a PTA.
   1. Select appropriate assessment tools based on patient status.
   2. Demonstrate proper use and/or placement of equipment.
   3. Modify approach based on patient response.
   4. Demonstrate proper sequence of procedure steps.
   5. Correlate objective data to functional levels.
   6. Relate the assessment procedure selected to the patient's condition.
   7. Recognize when the patient has reached optimum benefit from physical therapy treatment.
3. Perform treatment on patients using modalities and techniques practiced in the PTA curriculum prior to the clinical affiliation.
   1. Review a medical chart and identify significant information necessary to treat the patient.
   2. Demonstrate an awareness of indications and contraindications to treatment procedure.
   3. Prepare treatment area for application of treatment techniques.
   4. Prepare patient for application of treatment techniques using correct positioning.
   5. Demonstrate proper placement and/or use of equipment.
   6. Use logical sequence of treatment steps.
   7. Respond to changes in patient status.
   8. Handle patients with care.
   9. Utilize good body mechanics during treatment procedures.
   10. Seek appropriate input from CI.
   11. Terminate treatment sessions appropriately.
   12. Discuss the rationale behind the chosen treatment.
   13. Select appropriate modifications to treatment based on patient response.
   14. Apply multiple treatments in a reasoned sequence when appropriate.
   15. Provide follow-up instructions and information at the end of the treatment session.
4. Communicate effectively with the supervising Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant.
   1. Discuss evaluations performed by the Physical Therapist.
   2. Pronounce and use medical terms correctly.
   3. Organize thoughts logically.
   4. Show evidence of personal thought and ability to see multiple perspectives when questioned.
   5. Ask questions about appropriate behaviors.
   6. Recognize effects of non-verbal signals.
   7. Demonstrate good listening skills.
   8. Complete documentation as required regarding patient status, progress, or treatment using correct format with legible writing and appropriate terminology.
   9. Volunteer reaction to situations.
   10. Document changes in patient goals.
   11. Adjust patient short-term goals as patient status changes.
5. Demonstrate effective communication skills with all relevant parties.
   1. Question the patient about comfort level before, during, and after treatment session.
   2. Introduce self.
   3. Explain treatment to patient in layperson terms.
   4. Ask questions of patient, family, or other healthcare personnel when appropriate.
   5. Maintain appropriate leadership in patient/family interactions.
   6. Respond sensitively and courteously during interactions.
   7. Demonstrate good listening skills.
   8. Adapt tone modulation, level, and word usage to situation.
   9. Provide the patient with clear instructions on home exercise programs.
   10. Interact in new relationships or situations.
6. Demonstrate interpersonal skills as an interdisciplinary healthcare team member.
   1. Name other disciplines directly involved with patient care.
   2. Suggest other staff, which may assist in solving patient problems.
   3. Be respectful of other healthcare team members.
   4. Be helpful to and supportive of other healthcare team members.
   5. Demonstrate an interest in conferences, meetings, inservices, quality assurance, peer review, etc.
   6. Attend and participate in meetings, inservices, etc.
   7. Discuss skill levels and training of various team members, within the physical therapy department and outside the department.
   8. Assure that results of referral are communicated to patient and/or family.
7. Evaluate the clinical experience.
   1. Discuss performance accurately and openly with CI.
   2. Respond to evaluation with constructive feedback and suggestions.
   3. Identify major strengths and weaknesses.
   4. Set realistic goals for level of ability.
   5. Set a course of action to reach goals.
   6. Attempt to incorporate suggestions into behavior.
   7. Accept responsibility for learning.
   8. Complete CI evaluation form.
   9. Complete clinical center evaluation form.
   10. Review student’s evaluation with the CI.
8. Discuss potential legal or ethical issues.
   1. Describe an appropriate response to each ethical/legal clinical issue encountered in the clinical.