A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Two hundred forty clinical hours.
After completing this course, the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate entry-level proficiency of skills appropriate to their level of academic preparation. (F1, F2, F3, F5, F6, F8, F9, F11, F13, F15, F16, F17, C1, C4, C5, C7, C9, C10, C11, C12, C14, C18, C19, C20)
Student Learning Outcomes
The competencies for this clinical experience are taken directly from the PTA MACS, which is used as the evaluative tool for the clinical education program.
- Demonstrate entry-level proficiency of skills appropriate to their level of academic preparation.
- Demonstrate entry-level proficiency of skills identified as appropriate for Clinical 1 on the Clinical Skill Requirements Chart included in this syllabus.
Teaching Methods and Learning Experiences
Clinical activities, reading assignments, individual and/or group projects and assignments. Some components of this course will be computer based. Student access to a computer/printer will be required for completing assignments. Computers are available to students in the Academic Support Center in the Mineral Wells Education Center.
Should a clinical instructor wish to teach a student a measurement or treatment procedure that has not been presented and practiced in the academic setting, it is the clinical instructor's responsibility to determine if the student is safe in applying the procedure to a patient in that particular clinical setting. If the procedure is to be covered in the academic setting at a later date, the academic faculty is responsible for assuring competence according to their criteria at the appropriate point in the curriculum.
Course Requirements
All students must:
- Acquire and document a minimum of 240 clinical hours at the assigned clinical site in a minimum of 6 weeks. Lunch hours are not included as clinical hours unless the student is engaged in a clinical-related meeting or inservice during the lunch period.
- Participate in online discussions on a regular basis.
- Participate in and complete a formal mid-term and final evaluation with the assigned clinical instructor.
- Submit a completed PTA MACS, including Progress Report forms signed or initialed and dated in the appropriate places by the clinical instructor.
- Submit a written evaluation of the clinical education experience on the appropriate form.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Manual for the Assessment of Clinical Skills (PTA MACS)
Course Packet: Clinical Preparation Lecture packet provided to students in PTHA 1225
Clinical Instructors evaluate the student's performance of the PTA MACS skills, but the final grade determination is made by the ACCE using the following guidelines:
Criteria Weight
Student assessment of the clinical experience 5%
Attendance 5%
Online participation 10%
Completion of appropriate PTA MACS skills 50%
CI assessment of performance 25%
Clinical documentation – accuracy/timeliness 5%
The ACCE’s assessment is based on review of the PTA MACS; the Progress Report Form; the Clinical Attendance log; the clinical instructor's comments obtained verbally via telephone or personal conference; online discussion forums, telephone conversations and/or personal conferences with the student; and personal observations.
Grading Scale
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
F <70%
Student Assessment of the Clinical Experience
- The student is required to turn in a clinical evaluation at the end of each clinical affiliation.
- The student’s evaluation of the clinical experience is graded based on the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of the evaluation, not on whether the student made positive or negative comments about the experience or the PTA program. Maximum points are awarded for identification of specific strengths and weaknesses of the clinical facility, the clinical instructor, and the PTA program.
Each student is to report to his or her individual clinic at the time assigned by the clinic. Any absences must be reported to the Clinical Instructor and the ACCE prior to start time of the clinic date that is to be missed. If the ACCE cannot be reached, a message must be left on the answering machine (817-598-6336).
If a clinic is closed (or operated by a significantly reduced staff) for a day due to a holiday or extenuating circumstances, such as a utility failure or dangerous weather conditions, the clinical instructor may excuse the student from clinical participation for that day. In such a case, no grade penalty is assessed and the student does not need to make up the time missed. The student should document the circumstances on the Clinical Attendance Form and include the number of clinical hours missed due to these circumstances in the total number of clinical hours for that week.
Regular attendance at clinic is essential and has a direct effect on the final grade that a student earns in class. Absences and/or non-attendance on the part of a student will result in a grade penalty and, if chronic or severe, may result in expulsion from the program.
Online Participation
- The online classroom is used as a primary method of communication in this course.
- Students are expected to log on to the online clinical course at least 3 days a week to check for announcements and participate in discussions forums.
- Students are expected to submit at least 18 posts, including original posts and replies to other students' posts.
- To be included in the total number of posts for grading purposes, posts must be thoughtful and appropriate, and must contribute substantively to the discussion.
Appropriate PTA MACS Skills
The specific skills students are required to demonstrate at entry-level during this clinical are indicated on the Clinical Skill Requirements Chart. Students are expected to complete PTA MACS skills 1-11, 13, 15.1 and 15.2 during each clinical. They are also expected to complete all clinical-specific skills (acute, ortho, or neuro), depending on the type of clinical experience to which they have been assigned, and enough of the recommended skills to meet the requisite total number of skills indicated at the end of the Clinical Skill Requirements Chart.
CI Assessment of Performance
The CI assessment of student performance is determined by evaluation of the PTA MACS Progress Report Form, including the final ratings of individual skills, the narrative comments and the Visual Analog Scale at the top of page 5 of the Progress Report Form. Narrative comments are evaluated in five categories including documentation of improvement in clinical performance; final assessment of professional behaviors, data collection skills and intervention skills; and final assessment of overall performance.
Clinical Documentation
Clinical documentation is assessed based on number of documentation errors present (missing CI initials/signatures, incomplete rating of individual skills, envelope containing Progress Report Form not sealed, etc.) and timely submission of all clinical documentation. The student’s clinical evaluation forms, attendance log, Progress Report Form and PTA MACS are due on the first week day following the student’s last clinical day.
ADA Statement:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.
Scans Competencies
The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) identified Competencies in the area of Resources, Interpersonal, Information, Systems, and Technology; and foundation skills in the areas of Basic Skills, Thinking Skills, and Personal Qualities. This course is part of a program in which each of these Competencies and skills are integrated. The specific SCANS Competencies that are recognized throughout this course are noted at the end of the appropriate competencies or task listed.
(See reference chart at end of syllabus.)