Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
PTA 100 Introduction to Physical Therapy Credits: 1
Typically Offered: Fall Summer.
Course Description: Introduction to physical therapy and to the role of the physical therapist assistant, including function of the PTA and of the health care team, history of medical care and physical therapy, legal and ethical standards, cultural sensitive care and communication.
PTA 110 Patient Care Skills Credits: 3
Typically Offered: Fall.
Course Description: Introduction to basic clinical skills, progressing from bedside management to community mobility. Includes vital signs, aseptic technique, patient transfers and gait training. Health and safety issues, including universal (standard) precautions, electrical and hospital safety, and emergency and first aid procedures. Introduction to documentation. To be taken concurrently with PTA 130. Prerequisite(s): Admission into the PTA program.
PTA 120 Modalities Credits: 3
Typically Offered: Spring.
Course Description: Clinical modality interventions, including thermal modalities, electrical modalities, hydrotherapy and compressive modalities. Soft tissue interventions for patients with edema, wounds, burns, and vascular pathologies. To be taken concurrently with PTA 140 and PTA 165. Prerequisite(s): Admission into the PTA program.
PTA 130 Functional Anatomy Credits: 2
Typically Offered: Fall.
Course Description: Introduction to principles of physics as they relate to movement, including levers and force vectors. Surface anatomy, introduction to musculoskeletal structure and function. Introduction to medical terminology. To be taken concurrently with PTA 110. Prerequisite(s): Admission into the PTA program.
PTA 140 Measurements and Procedures Credits: 3
Typically Offered: Spring.
Course Description: Methods of data collection including joint range of motion (goniometry), manual muscle testing, anthropometric measurement, and gait analysis. Review and continuation of physical therapy documentation. To be taken concurrently with PTA 120 and PTA 165. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 100, PTA 110, and PTA 130.
PTA 165 Principles of Therapeutic Exercise Credits: 3
Typically Offered: Spring.
Course Description: Study of the muscular forces acting on anatomic structures to create movement, including normal and pathological biomechanics. Physiological effect of basic and advanced exercises commonly used in physical therapy, including ROM and stretching, strengthening, aerobic exercise, balance and coordination exercises, proprioceptive exercise, endurance training and aquatic exercise. Includes common therapeutic exercise protocols, exercise progression, and documentation of exercise as a therapeutic intervention. One hour of lecture and five hours of lab. To be taken concurrently with PTA 120 and PTA 140. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 100, PTA 110, and PTA 130.
PTA 185 Clinical Education I Credits: 3
Typically Offered: Summer.
Course Description: First of three practicums in a physical therapy setting; 135 hours of supervised clinical practice. Areas of emphasis include PTA relationships with patients and staff, clinic organization, beginning awareness of patient disorders, initial application of physical therapy techniques, and introduction to documentation. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 140, PTA 160 and PTA 165.
PTA 210 Professional Issues Credits: 2
Typically Offered: Fall.
Course Description: Development of the student as a health care professional. Includes analysis and creation of electronic health records, basic medical coding and billing practice, scope of PTA practice in the state of Missouri, clinical self-assessment skills, patient interview skills, and review of Standards of Conduct for PTAs. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 185.
PTA 251 Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Credits: 2
Typically Offered: Fall.
Course Description: An overview of the physical therapy management of cardiopulmonary pathologies. One hour lecture, two hours lab. PTA students - to be taken concurrently with PTA 255 and PTA 260. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 185 or RES 300.
PTA 255 Clinical Orthopedics Credits: 3
Typically Offered: Fall.
Course Description: Description, causes, symptoms, tests and physical therapy intervention in orthopedic pathology. The musculoskeletal system and normal biomechanics are reviewed. One hour lecture and five hours of lab. To be taken concurrently with PTA 251 and PTA 260. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 185.
PTA 260 Clinical Neurology Credits: 3
Typically Offered: Fall.
Course Description: Neuroanatomy and how damage to this body system is managed by physical therapy intervention. One hour of lecture and five hours of lab. To be taken concurrently with PTA 251 and PTA 255. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 185.
PTA 265 Diseases and Dysfunctions Credits: 3
Typically Offered: Spring.
Course Description: Diseases and dysfunction encountered in physical therapy across the lifespan, including disorders of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, genitourinary, and endocrine systems. Includes pregnancy, arthritis and cancerous conditions. To be taken concurrently with PTA 270 and PTA 280. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 255 and PTA 260.
PTA 270 Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Therapy Credits: 1
Typically Offered: Spring.
Course Description: Psychosocial issues in health care as related to physical therapy. To be taken concurrently with PTA 265 and PTA 280. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 255 and PTA 260.
PTA 280 Clinical Rehabilitation Credits: 3
Typically Offered: Spring.
Course Description: Physical therapy rehabilitation principles for patients following amputation, total joint surgery, fractures, and spinal cord injury. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in rehabilitation. Physical therapy interventions with chronic illness, the elderly, and dying patients. To be taken concurrently with PTA 265 and PTA 270. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 255 and PTA 260.
PTA 285 Clinical Education II Credits: 5
Typically Offered: Spring.
Course Description: Second of three clinical practicums. Application of physical therapy procedures, appropriate professional behavior and communication. Participation in physical therapy clinic activities in addition to patient care. Six weeks of full-time supervised clinical practice. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 265, PTA 270 and PTA 280.
PTA 290 Clinical Education III Credits: 5
Typically Offered: Summer.
Course Description: Third of three clinical practicums. Physical therapy principles and practice with emphasis on achievement of integration, application, communication, and participation at levels consistent with a beginning PTA practitioner. Six weeks of full-time supervised clinical practice. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PTA 265, PTA 270, and PTA 280.