PT111,   Clinical Practicum I
Sample syllabus submitted by Professor Cepeda, Fall 2004 

DESCRIPTION:                   The Clinical Affiliation portion of this course consists of 160 hours or four-weeks of a full-time rotation at a clinical affiliation site. 

TIMES:                                  Full-time, equivalent to forty (40) hours per week.  Clinic hours will be announced by your Clinical Coordinator and clinical instructor.

CLINICAL SITE:                  TBA.  The ACCE has the responsibility of selecting the clinical site for the student. 

There may be a shortage of sites in the immediate area; therefore students may have to travel some distance from their homes.  The site will, however, be in the metropolitan areas of Maryland, Washington, Virginia, and Baltimore.

EVALUATION OF CLINICAL PERFORMANCE:  Students will be evaluated by their clinical instructor at the facility to which they are assigned.  The evaluation will be based on the “Evaluation of Clinical Performance” form which each student will receive a copy of prior to attending the affiliation.  The evaluation tool and other instructions pertaining to clinic performance will be discussed in the classroom.  Also, students must refer to the PTA Student Handbook for further guidance on behavior in the clinic.  

CLINICAL OBJECTIVES 

Upon completion of the clinical affiliation, the student will: 

1.         Adapt to the clinical facility and institutional policies and procedures. 

2.         Demonstrate awareness of the role of the Physical Therapist Assistant. 

3.         Use and apply knowledge and skills learned in previous courses in a supervised Physical Therapy setting. 

4          Develop increasing patient care responsibilities as academic course work and practical experience progress. 

5.         Demonstrate and apply appropriate safety procedures n the clinical facility to insure safe practice. 

6.         Demonstrate patient confidentiality and discuss its importance. 

7.         Communicate accurately and effectively (orally and/or in writing) with the supervising Physical Therapist, patients and families, physicians, and other members of the health care team. 

8.         Demonstrate development in appropriate critical thinking in the clinical environment.  This includes demonstrating: 

                        a.         An understanding of Physical Therapy problems.

                        b.         Appropriate responses to clinical signs.

                        c.         Assessment of patient problem resolution.

                        d.         Adaptation to individual patient differences in treatment.

                        e.         Ability to foresee and prepare goals for patients under the supervision of the Physical Therapist.

                        f.          Ability to participate in discharge planning.

 

9.         Demonstrate knowledge of principles, rationale, indications and contraindications, and skill in the application of modalities and treatment techniques learned in previous courses, which include, but are not limited to:

            a.         Thermal Agents

            b.         Massage

            c.         Hydrotherapy

            d.         Gait Training and Use of Assistive Devices

            e.         Patient Positioning and Transfers

            f.          Vital Signs

            g.         Medical Asepsis and Infection Control

            h.         Measurement of Joint Range of Motion

 

10.       Apply skills learned in class including basic exercise programs:  active, passive, active assisted, and resistive exercise. 

11.       Identify the components of normal gait and the gait cycle. 

12.       Demonstrate knowledge of the Anatomy and Physiology of the major muscle groups and the function of muscles. 

13.       Demonstrate knowledge of normal posture. 

14.       Demonstrate and utilize principles of body mechanics when caring for patients. 

15.       Demonstrate appropriate professional, personal, and work behavior characteristics. 

16.       Participate in the teaching of other health care providers, patients, and families. 

17.       Share individual clinical experiences with faculty and peers.

CLINICAL ATTENDANCE 

Attendance sheets will be kept at each clinical affiliate and will be maintained by the Clinical Instructor and/or Montgomery College Faculty.  The students' responsibility is to use their time cards, where applicable, to clock in and out on clinical days.  Students are cautioned to use their time cards correctly.  Under no circumstances should one student use another's time card. 

The student should become familiar with the following guidelines: 

1          There will be no unexcused absences on clinical days due to importance of clinical experience. 

2.         Emergency or serious situations will be recognized as excused absences, however, these absences must be made up.  These may be: personal illness, court appearances, or death in the immediate family (parents, grandparents, or siblings).  Proof of the excused absence must be submitted when appropriate.  For example, absences of three (3) or more days duration for reasons of illness would require a physician's statement regarding student's capability to resume clinical assignment. 

3.         The student must call and notify the Clinical Instructor or Chief Therapist at their Clinical Affiliate and the College Faculty if for any reason he/she can to report for clinical or cannot report on time. 

4.         Attendance is monitored and documented as previously mentioned.  Any and all absences must be made up within the following two-week period.  IF a real emergency arises, the time can be made up until the fourth week of the next semester with a grade of Incomplete (I) being given until the time is made up.  If the time is not made up by that time, the student will receive a grade of "F."  Exceptions to this rule will be made only for the most serious reasons and will be at the discretion of the Program Coordinator. 

5.         It is expected that students will be prompt.  This is a very important practice and quality to develop to become a professional.  Violations may necessitate Student-Faculty (and/or Clinical Instructor) Conferences to be initiated. 

6.         If a student is not present at his/her assigned area or room rotation, then the student will be considered absent for the day.

7.         If a student is tardy three times a month during the Fall/Spring semester, or three times in two weeks during the Summer session, it will be counted as one unexcused absence. 

Habitual tardiness, absenteeism and unpreparedness will result in a reduction in the final grade for the clinical course and possible Administrative Withdrawal from the course.  Please refer to the "Class Attendance" policy in the Academic Standards section of the Catalog. 

8.         Students may be allowed thirty (30) minutes for lunch.  This is left to the discretion of each Clinical Instructor at each institution.  It is preferred that students do not go off hospital premises for lunch but this may be left to the Clinical Instructor to decide as well.  If the student goes off the premises, he/she is still expected to return to his/her department by the appropriate time. 

9.         Students must receive permission from the Program Coordinator to take a course which may interfere with Physical Therapy Assistant course hours.  Generally speaking, the only situation in which this will be allowed is that in which the student is in the last (clinical) semester, and failure to finish the course will result in not graduating with the class. 

All students are required to attend the clinical affiliation at the regularly scheduled time.  If a need arises to request a minor change in scheduled time, the student must submit, in writing to the faculty covering that particular hospital, the requested change and the justification for the change.  Rules for adjustments to clinical hours are listed below: 

1.         The requested change must not interfere with student education.  The request must not interfere with the normal operation of the clinical affiliation or the Montgomery college education program. 

2.         Acceptable reason to approve changes include: 

            A.        Undue hardship (must be specified).

                        B.        Failure to approve change would result in student not being able to compete Program.

                        C.        Conflict in course scheduling in which Montgomery College is at fault. 

 

STUDENT CLINICAL BEHAVIOR POLICY

Students are required to comply with all school regulations as outlined during the orientation session.  Students are required to act in a manner that will reflect credit on themselves, the school and the profession for which they are being educated.  Each incident  will be handled in accordance with the appropriate document such as the Catalog, Student Code of Conduct, Policies and Procedures, etc.  Infraction of any one regulation will result in one verbal warning.  A repeat violation will result in a written warning which will be placed in the student's file. 

If the student is having difficulty clinically, this is documented via evaluations.  The students will review their evaluations.  If a problem persists the student will be notified again.  The student will sign a paper after being notified to document the counseling received for the deficiencies.  Failure to comply may result in review by a Committee consisting of the Instructional dean, the Medical Director of the Program and the Program Coordinator with input from the medical staff, Administrative Director, Montgomery College instructors and clinical instructors.  The student will be asked to submit a written explanation of the behavior in question for Committee's review.  The Committee may ask to see the student in person.After reviewing all data, the committee of persons mentioned above will render a decision that the student: 

1.         be given another chance to continue, or 

2.         be recommended for Administrative Withdrawal from the course. 

The student will be notified of this decision by certified mail.

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL 

1.         Insubordination 

2.         Falsification of any affiliate or Montgomery College records 

3.         Intoxication or under the influence of unauthorized drugs while in the classroom or clinical area 

4.         Theft of any kind 

5.         Malicious gossip or discussing exam results with patients 

6.         Gambling on premises 

7.         Solicitation of tips or other items 

8.         Felony conviction 

9.         Excessive absenteeism and/or abandonment of clinical assignment 

10.       Sexual harassment and/or sexual misconduct 

11.       Other serious misconduct as deemed by Program Administration 

12.       Unsafe 

13.       Incompetent

CODE OF CLINICAL BEHAVIOR 

Rules and regulations concerning behavior to be observed by all students are not limited to the following listings.  A comprehensive list can be found in the Montgomery College Student Handbook.  Students' are expected to behave in a professional and ethical manner at all times.  A STUDENT SHALL NOT: 

1.         Mistreat patients in any manner; including leaving patients unattended while undergoing diagnostic procedures. 

2.         Punch any time card to sign-in sheet except his/her own, or allow another student to do so.  This is considered a form of cheating. 

3.         Be excessively absent or repeatedly tardy, fail to notify the Clinical Instructor of absence or lateness prior to assigned starting time. 

4.         Loiter on hospital premises outside the physical therapy department or other unauthorized places; loiter within the physical therapy department beyond assigned hours. 

5.         Misuse confidential information or falsify information, records and reports. 

6.         Exhibit insubordination - immoral conduct, indecency, or refusal to follow instruction from those designated supervisors. 

7.         Willfully damage or destroy or misuse institutional property. 

8.         Seal or be in unauthorized possession of hospital or another person's personal property. 

9.         Create or contribute to unsanitary conditions on hospital premises. 

10.       Intimidate or coerce another student or employee through physical or verbal threats. 

11.       Engage in soliciting or gambling on hospital grounds. 

12.       Smoke in undesignated areas of the hospital.  Disobeying other regulations concerning fire, safety, parking, and visiting. 

13.       Be in possession of a weapon of any kind while on hospital premises. 

14.       Engage in excessive talking, laughing, and other disturbances not appropriate in the hallway, around patients, or on hospital premises. 

15.       Fail to report any accident or injury involving student, patients, other hospital employees, or visitors. 

16.       Be inebriated, drinking, or have possession of drugs and/or alcohol on hospital premises. 

17.       Leave the clinical area early without prior permission of the Clinical Instructor. 

18.       Sleep or loiter on Clinical time. 

The faculty expects the Physical Therapist Assistant students to abide by the specific Clinical Affiliates policy of conduct.  A student will be subject to disciplinary action* if violations of any kind occur.

                        *           Each clinical Affiliate reserves the right to refuse a student admission into the facility resulting from violation.

STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR

THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT 

In addition to the student Code of Conduct, students will be accountable to the "Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant" adopted by the A.P.T.A. 

PREAMBLE:

Physical therapist assistants are responsible for maintaining and promoting high standards of conduct.  These Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant shall be binding on physical therapist assistants who are affiliate members of the Association. 

STANDARD 1:         Physical therapist assistants provide services under the supervision of a physical therapist. 

STANDARD 2:         Physical therapist assistants respect the rights and dignity of all individuals. 

STANDARD 3:         Physical therapist assistants maintain and promote high standards in the provision of services giving the welfare of the patients their highest regard. 

STANDARD 4:         Physical therapist assistants provide services within the limits of the law. 

STANDARD 5:         Physical therapist assistants make those judgements that are commensurate with their qualifications as physical therapist assistants. 

STANDARD 6:         Physical therapist assistants accept the responsibility to protect the public and the profession from unethical, incompetent, or illegal acts. 

 

PERSONAL APPEARANCE/UNIFORM POLICY

The personal appearance and demeanor of Physical Therapist Assistant students at Montgomery College reflect the standards of the Profession, the College, and the Program and are indicative of the students' interest and pride in their chosen profession. 

Uniforms will be clean and pressed.  Shoes will be polished at all times.  White sweaters will be worn with the uniform when required.

Any student reporting to the clinical affiliates in improper uniform or attire or in a soiled or untidy uniform with dirty shoes will be sent home.  This time must be made up.  Clinical Supervisors will have the final decision when judging the personal appearance of the student.  Montgomery College Physical Therapy Assistant students will wear their uniforms only for clinical assignments or when officially representing the Program.

1.         UNIFORMS 

Uniforms should be as required by the individual clinical site, or selected from the following: 

            Females:

                        a.         White professional dress or pant suit of appropriate length.

                        b.         White professional blouse, smock-top or lab coat worn with dark blue or black pants.

 

            Males:

                        a.         White, short sleeve shirt or white professional jacket worn over a conservative shirt.  Pants should be dark blue or black and worn with a conservative belt.

 

2.         HAIR

            Females:

                        a.         Hair must be clean and neatly combed.  Long hair is inappropriate when it falls in front of the face and comes into contact with a patient or equipment.  Long hair must be tied back behind the neck.

 

            Males:

                        a.         Moustaches, beards, and long hair must be neatly trimmed, clean, manageable, and not unruly. 

3.         SHOES 

Low heel, comfortable shoes appropriate for the clinic.  No heels above 1 1/2" high.  Sole must be non-skid. 

4.         ACCESSORIES 

Use of cosmetics should be discrete (including perfume or cologne) and kept to a minimum.  Nails should be kept at a reasonable length, neat and clean.  Jewelry which may be worn with a uniform include:  watches, wedding bands, engagement rings, school rings, school pins, and small earrings that are in good taste.  No big, gaudy, costume jewelry should be worn.  Long necklaces may get caught in the equipment.

5.         IDENTIFICATION 

Identification badges must be worn at all times.