30 Hours Synchronous Learning / 90 Hours Online Learning

Recommended Prerequisites:  High School Graduate or GED holder.

Course Exam:

Student will be prepared to take the AMCA Physical Therapy Technician certification exam.

Topics Covered:

Lesson 1: Introduction to Physical Therapy

In this introductory lesson, you will learn about the Physical Therapy Technician profession. This will include information on the daily requirements as a PT Technician and the responsibilities as part of a rehabilitation team. You will also learn about a variety of career avenues and medical offices that require technicians on staff. Following this, you will begin content knowledge regarding ethical and professional behavior, proper charting and documentation, electronic health records, confidentiality, effective communication with patients and colleagues, and understanding legal guidelines, including HIPAA laws and regulations. You will end this lesson by completed all activities, reading all resources provided and completing the lesson quiz.

Lesson 2: Anatomy and Physiology

This lesson will focus on the most common medical terminology and abbreviations followed by the basic structure and function of the human body. This will include the digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, integumentary, urinary, endocrine, reproductive, and musculoskeletal systems. You will continue into the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system since this is the primary system that Physical Therapy evaluates and treats.

Lesson 3: Patient Preparation

Lesson 3 will focus on safety in the workplace and the working environment for both you, your colleagues and the patient. Specifically, you will learn about maintaining a positive therapeutic environment for patients that ensures comfort, confidentiality and security. Additionally, you will learn about safe transfers of patients, proper body alignments and movements, turning and positioning a patient, infection control and OSHA guidelines.

Lesson 4: Physical Therapy Evaluation Components

This lesson will encompass everything from diagnostic testing and physical therapy assessment tools including ROM and strength measurements. From there, you will learn about different modalities the physical therapist has to choose from when treating patients and how to assist the therapist with exercises. These will include different ROM activities and different forms of strengthening techniques.

Lesson 5: Physical Therapy Modalities and Assistive Devices

Lesson 5 will consist of learning more about the patients’ weight-bearing status, which assistive device is best to use, and then the different ambulation techniques. As an technician, learning how to assist patients with the use of their assistive device is very important as it is a big component of what your day will entail. Gait patterns vary depending on one’s injury and amount of weight-bearing they are permitted. Additionally, going up and down the stairs is often challenging for a patient and you will learn how to guide them safely through this process.

Lesson 6: Physical Therapy Exercises and Gait Training

Lesson 6 will cover the most common types of diseases and injuries seen by physical therapists in different settings. From there, an overview of the most common exercises will be described.

Lesson 7: Career Prep

This lesson will assist you in how to write a cover letter and resume when searching for a job. From there, it is important to learn how to practice for an interview and present a good first impression.

Instructional Strategies:

• Self-Directed Study
• Skills Demonstration
• Simulation

Methods of Evaluation:

• Quizzes & Exams
• Skills Demonstration
• Learner-Centered Activities

Grading System:

Student must pass all quizzes, exams, and national exam (if applicable) at a passing rate to be eligible for a Certificate of Training Completion. If an internship is included in your course you will be required to complete the internship prior to receiving a Certificate of Training Completion.

Attendance:

Students are expected to arrive on time and participate in course discussions. Successful completion of the course of study recommends 100% attendance. If during the course period the student’s attendance level drops below 80%, they will be encouraged and given the opportunity to attend the next scheduled class for the course they enrolled in. Should materials change, student is responsible for all additional cost.

Payment Plan Policy:

Students may withdraw from the program for any reason up to 1 week prior to the start of program. In this case, the student’s payment plan agreement shall be rescinded. If the payment plan has begun a non-refundable administrative fee of $25.00 will be assessed and remaining funds will be returned to payer in check form by mail. 

Refund Policy: 

There can be no refund for the course, once the first class has been concluded; or if any course material, including the eBook, is accessed. If extenuating circumstances exist, case by case situations will be reviewed by ProTrain. If a refund is issued, the refunded amount (- a $25 processing fee) will be dependent upon books being returned in excellent condition (i.e. no writing, missing pages; ripped or damage to pages and/or binding).

Re-Admission Policy:

Any student who has dropped out of the program, or has been suspended from the program for nonattendance may be readmitted within one year by completing a personal interview with the director of education and paying any applicable fees at the time of readmission. Students who were terminated due to conduct issues are not eligible to be readmitted.

Policy on Student Conduct:

Appropriate Conduct: All students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and professional manner. Any student not conducting themselves in an orderly and professional manner, which includes use of drugs and alcohol during school hours, dishonesty, disrupting classes, use of profanity, excessive tardiness, insubordination, violation of safety rules, improper usage of lab or classroom computers, or not abiding by the school rules will lead to either probation or dismissal from classes.