Professional Issues in Clinical Practice

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to the professional issues related to the physical therapist assistant's role in the current health care environment. The course is designed to foster professional development of the physical therapist assistant student and to prepare the student to complete essential competencies and behaviors of health care related to the field of physical therapy. The course will guide the student in preparing the necessary documents for clinical practicum. Areas of study in the course may include but are not limited to, the role of the physical therapist assistant as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association and state practice acts, Values-Based Behaviors for the Physical Therapist Assistant, Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant, ethical problem solving in healthcare including recognizing and discussing legal and ethical issues in physical therapy, cultural diversity and cultural competence, lifelong learning and continuing competence, professional communication in clinical situations including HIPAA, billing and reimbursement in physical therapy, and medical documentation including the value and necessity of thorough documentation, recognition of the PTA role in documentation, completion of appropriate medical documentation and appropriate use of medical abbreviations. Enrollment is limited to students admitted to the 2PTA major.