2016 – 2017
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Physical Therapist Assistant
Career Cluster:	Health Science

AS	
CIP Number	1351080601	
Program Type	College Credit	
Standard Length	74 credit hours	
CTSO	HOSA: Future Health Professionals; APTA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	31-2021 Physical Therapist Assistants	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml 	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as physical therapist assistants SOC Code 31-2021 (Physical Therapist Assistants).

The content includes but is not limited to the requirements of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education/American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 684-2782.  

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 74 credit hours.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the healthcare delivery system and health occupations.
02.0	Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively.
03.0	Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities.
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of and apply wellness and disease concepts.
05.0	Recognize and practice safety and security procedures.
06.0	Recognize and respond to emergency situations.
07.0	Recognize and practice infection control procedures.
08.0	Demonstrate an understanding of information technology applications in healthcare.
09.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of blood borne diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
11.0	Apply basic math and science skills. 
12.0	Describe anatomical structure, function and dysfunction of the human body related to the practice of physical therapy.
13.0	Assist the physical therapist with various treatments/procedures.
14.0	Demonstrate ethical and legal practice as a physical therapist assistant.
15.0	Respond to patient's needs as reflected in the Patient's Bill of Rights.
16.0	Demonstrate safe administration of all physical agents.
17.0	Demonstrate use of exercise, assistive/supportive devices and specialized equipment.
18.0	Perform routine maintenance of equipment.
19.0	Disinfect and sterilize materials and equipment.
20.0	Respond to acute changes in physiological state.
21.0	Teach other health care providers, patients and families to perform selected treatment procedures and functional activities.
22.0	Identify architectural barriers.
23.0	Interact with patients and families in a manner which provides desired psycho-social support.
24.0	Define scope of practice.
25.0	Describe basic concepts related to the health care system including multidisciplinary team approach, quality care, governmental agencies, private sector, role of other health care providers, health care facilities, issues and problems.
26.0	Identify basic principles of levels of authority and responsibility, planning, time management, supervisory process, performance evaluations and fiscal consideration (provider and consumer).

2016 – 2017
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Physical Therapist Assistant
CIP Number:		1351080601 
Program Length: 	74 credit hours
SOC Code(s):		31-2021

Standards 1-11 are referred to as the Health Science Core and are required standards in this program. Secondary and Postsecondary students completing the health science core will not have to repeat the core in any other health science program in which it is a part.  When the recommended sequence is followed, the structure allows students to complete at specified points for employment or remain for advanced training or cross-training.  

To ensure consistency whenever these courses are offered, the health science core standards (1-11) have been placed in a separate document. You can access the course standards and benchmarks by visiting this link: http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5652/urlt/health_sci_-core_psav_cc_1617.rtf

The AS degree requires the inclusion of a minimum of 15 credits of general education coursework according to SACS, and it must be transferable according to Rule 6A-14.030 (2), F.A.C.  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
Physical Therapist Assistant:  Intended outcomes (12-26) lead to the occupational completion point of Physical Therapist Assistant.	
12.0	Describe anatomical structure, function and dysfunction of the human body related to the practice of physical therapy–The student will be able to:	
12.01	Describe normal and abnormal motor behavior.	
12.02	Describe orthopedic disabilities and related treatment.	
12.03	Describe neurological disabilities and related treatment.	
12.04	Describe medical/surgical conditions related to physical therapy care.	
12.05	Assist physical therapist in evaluation and assessment of disabilities and conditions.	
13.0	Assist the physical therapist with various treatments/ procedures–The student will be able to:	
13.01	Implement a comprehensive treatment plan developed by a physical therapist.	
13.02	Perform appropriate measurement and assessment techniques within the knowledge and limits of practice to assist the supervising physical therapist in monitoring and modifying the plan of care.	
13.03	Prepare patients, treatment areas and equipment.	
13.04	Recognize gait deviations.	
13.05	Perform gait training and postural training techniques.	
13.06	Administer activities of daily living and functional training to patients/clients.	
13.07	Apply external bandages, dressings and support devices.	
13.08	Implement therapeutic exercise programs.	
13.09	Measure for and fit assistive devices.	
13.10	Perform therapeutic massage.	
13.11	Perform balance and coordination activities.	
13.12	Perform wound care techniques.	
13.13	Perform developmental activities.	
13.14	Participate in discharge planning and follow up care.	
14.0	Demonstrate ethical and legal practice as a physical therapist assistant–The student will be able to:	
14.01	Practice under the direction of a physical therapist.	
14.02	Cite indications and contradictions for each treatment/procedure.	
14.03	Record treatment/results in progress notes using correct format, content and terminology.	
14.04	Read and draw pertinent information from patient charts.	
15.0	Respond to patient's needs as reflected in the patient's bill of rights–The student will be able to:	
15.01	Demonstrate awareness of the patient's need for dignity and independence.	
15.02	Recognize patient expressions of discomfort, spoken or unspoken (body language).	
15.03	Deal effectively with patient's emotional responses.	
16.0	Demonstrate safe administration of all physical agents–The student will be able to:	
16.01	Read a variety of thermometers, Fahrenheit or Centigrade (Celsius).	
16.02	State normal body temperature and measure an oral or axilliary temperature.	
16.03	Measure the temperature of liquids, oils, solids.	
16.04	State the therapeutic temperature range for modalities in which temperature is a guideline for application.	
16.05	Identify physiological effects of heat vs. cold applications.	
16.06	Administer therapeutic ultrasound.	
16.07	Describe therapeutic use of ultra-violet light.	
16.08	Demonstrate therapeutic use of physical agents such as water, heat, cold and electricity.	
17.0	Demonstrate use of exercise, assistive/supportive devices and specialized equipment–The student will be able to:	
17.01	State the benefits of exercise.	
17.02	Define orthotics and state the importance of proper fit.	
17.03	Perform crutch walking, stair climbing, use of wheelchair.	
17.04	Describe differences in wheelchairs.	
17.05	Discuss upper and lower extremity prosthetics in terms of types of amputations and prosthetics.	
17.06	Identify common problems in prosthetic management and apply managerial skills in dealing effectively with them.	
17.07	Recognize and assist in exercise techniques used in physical therapy.	
17.08	Perform postural drainage and instruct patient in proper coughing and breathing exercises.	
17.09	Apply mechanical traction.	
17.10	Apply intermittent venous compression.	
17.11	Perform goniometric measurement.	
17.12	Assist patient in use of orthotic/prosthetic devices.	
18.0	Perform routine maintenance of equipment–The student will be able to:	
18.01	Recognize the importance of routine maintenance.	
18.02	Clean and check operation of wheelchairs, stretchers, treatment tables, etc.	
19.0	Disinfect and sterilize materials and equipment–The student will be able to:	
19.01	Define disinfect, sterilize, germicide, vaccinate, immunize, antiseptic, septic.	
19.02	Disinfect used equipment.	
19.03	Prepare materials for sterilization.	
20.0	Respond to acute changes in physiological state–The student will be able to:	
20.01	Determine baseline physiological state.	
20.02	Recognize change in baseline physiological state.	
20.03	Determine significance of change in physiological state.	
20.04	Apply guidelines in the assessment of blood pressure, pulse, respiration, sweating, skin color, mental alertness, skin temp, pupil size and pupil reaction.	
21.0	Teach other health care providers, patients and families to perform selected treatment procedures and functional activities–The student will be able to:	
21.01	Detail equipment or treatment preparation methods.	
21.02	Instruct in safety rules for equipment or treatment.	
21.03	Utilize proper teaching techniques relative to level of individual's understanding.	
21.04	Describe desired outcomes of the selected treatment procedure or functional activity.	
21.05	Use appropriate medical terminology.	
22.0	Identify architectural barriers–The student will be able to:	
22.01	Identify which environmental factors are potential architectural barriers.	
22.02	Determine which aspects of the patient's functional level and ambulatory/mobility equipment are germane to architectural problems.	
22.03	Describe action required to remediate barriers.	
23.0	Interact with patients and families in a manner which provides the desired psycho-social support–The student will be able to:	
23.01	Recognize own reaction to the patient's illness or disability.	
23.02	Recognize patient's and family's reactions to illness and disability.	
23.03	Respect individual, cultural, religious and socio-economic differences in people.	
23.04	Utilize appropriate communicative processes.	
24.0	Define scope of practice–The student will be able to:	
24.01	Demonstrate awareness of his/her own role.	
24.02	Identify scope of responsibility as it relates to patient care, departmental function, physical therapist and physical therapist aide.	
25.0	Describe basic concepts related to the health care system including multi-disciplinary team approach, quality care, governmental agencies, private sector, role of other health care providers, health care facilities, issues and problems–The student will be able to:	
25.01	Describe disciplines within medical care arena and the roles served.	
25.02	Describe the categories of health care agencies.	
25.03	Recognize current issues and problems affecting the delivery of health care.	
25.04	Implement appropriate The Joint Commission patient safety goals.	
26.0	Identify basic principles of levels of authority and responsibility, planning, time management, supervisory process, performance evaluations and fiscal consideration (provider and consumer)–The student will be able to:	
26.01	Organize time effectively.	
26.02	Communicate information to correct individual understanding the proper chain of command.	
26.03	Prepare daily work schedule for effective, efficient delivery of care.	
26.04	Utilize resources efficiently and conservatively in the delivery of healthcare.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Laboratory work is structured so that students begin with basic patient care skills, progress to basic physical therapy skills and then to more advanced physical therapy application and techniques.

Special Notes

The graduate of this program is prepared to make an application to the Florida Physical Therapist Assistant licensing examination which is given by the Florida Department of Health, Board of Physical Therapy Practice.

This program meets the Department of Health HIV/AIDS Domestic Violence and Prevention of Medical Errors education requirements.  Upon completion of this program, the instructor will provide a certificate to the student verifying that these requirements have been met.

If students in this program are seeking a licensure, certificate or registration through the Department of Health, please refer to 456.0635 F.S. for more information on disqualification for a license, certificate, or registration through the Department of Health. 

The Health Careers Core must be taken by all students (secondary, postsecondary adult and postsecondary vocational) planning to complete any Health Occupations program.  Once successfully completed, the core does not need to be repeated at any instructional level.

This program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the health care industry; planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues.

The cooperative method of instruction is not appropriate for this program.

Outcomes 01-11 are referred to as the Health Careers Core and do not have to be completed if the student has previously completed the Core in another health science program.  The CORE should be taken first or concurrently with the first course in the program.  Following the successful completion of the core, the student is eligible to take the National Health Care Foundation Skill Standards Assessment with instructor approval and the completion of a portfolio.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

HOSA: Future Health Professionals is the intercurricular career and technical student organization providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml