Practical, general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, college, and student.
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 2 on the Clinical Skill Requirements Chart included in this syllabus.
All students must:
- Acquire and document a minimum of 240 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 in-service during the lunch period.
- Participate in online discussions on a regular basis and complete end of the week journals to DCE each week.
- 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.
- Complete a written evaluation of the clinical education experience on the appropriate form (SECEE), go over this form with the CI at end of clinic, and submit it to DCE as requested.
- Participate in a clinical debriefing session on the final practicum day.
Textbooks: The Physical Therapist Assistant Manual for the Assessment of Clinical Skills (PTA MACS)
Course Packet: Clinical Preparation Lecture packet provided to students in semester prior to the start of clinic.
Clinical Instructors evaluate the student's performance of the PTA MACS skills, but the final grade determination is made by the DCE using the following guidelines:
Criteria Weight
Completion of appropriate PTA MACS skills 60 points possible
CI VAS scoring 15 points
Online participation 5 points
Clinical documentation forms – accuracy/timeliness 5 points
Student evaluation of the clinical experience 5 points
Total: 100 points
The DCE’s assessment is based on review of the PTA MACS skills; the Visual Analog Score on the Progress Report; the Clinical Attendance log; the clinical instructor's comments obtained verbally via telephone or personal conference; online discussion forums, weekly journals to the DCE, and completion of paperwork correctly.
Practicum II Grading System
To earn any passing grade, i.e.”A”, “B”, or “C”, the student must have a“+” or “√” on Skill #11 related to Safety During Patient Management. Any other mark on Skill #11 may result in failure and dismissal from the program.
To receive an “A”, complete all the following without any deductions:
1) Skill completion (possibility of 60 points total):
a) Skills 1-10, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23 and 24: Receive a “Ö” or a “+” on each of these skills
(If student receives an NI, 10 points deducted from final grade for each one)
b) Complete 22 other skills: Receive a “Ö” or a “+” on each of these skills
c) All Professional Behavior + Other Skills = >38 total skills completed= 60 points
38 total skills= 50 points
2) VAS score pertaining to performance on THIS clinical “Meets Entry Level” or above (15 points total)
a) Not meeting “entry level” will remove all 15 points from your total final score and will require an in-depth look at student’s performance with a possibility of further didactic study, further clinic time, or possible dismissal from the program.
3) Participate in Canvas Discussion Board (15 points total)
a) 10 or more thoughtful posts
b) 5 of 5 end of the week journals to DCE (last week is not required due to course debriefing at the end of week with DCE)
4) Complete Student Evaluation of Clinical Experience (SECEE) with thoughtful comments and go over it with CI at the end of the rotation. (5 points total)
5) Turn in all paperwork correctly, in envelope with CI signature over the closure: (5 points total)
a) Time Sheet: Signed, initials, and dates completed by CI and student
b) Pink Progress Note: signed, initialed, and dated by CI and signed by student
c) Blue Master List: initialed and dated by CI
d) Manila envelope sealed with all paperwork inside and CI initials over seal
e) Bring PTA Macs notebook with you for DCE to read through.
6) Any attendance issues will be subtracted from the clinical skills area (-4 pts per unexcused absence)
7) Deduction for any Professional Behaviors not completed (-10 pts per behavior)
To receive a “B”, complete all the following without any of the deductions:
1) Skill completion (40 points total):
a) Skills 1-10, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23 and 24: Receive a “Ö” or a “+” on each of these skills
(If student receives an NI, 10 points deducted from final grade for each one)
b) Complete 20 other skills: Receive a “Ö” or a “+” on each of these skills
c) All Professional Behaviors + Other Skills = 36 or 37 total skills completed = 40 points
2) VAS score pertaining to performance on THIS clinical “Meets Entry Level” (15 points total)
a) Not meeting “entry level” will remove all 15 points from your total final score and will require an in-depth look at student’s performance with a possibility of further didactic study, further clinic time, or possible dismissal from the program.
3) Participate in Canvas Discussion Board (15 points total)
a) 10 thoughtful posts
b) 5 of 5 end of the week journals to DCE (each week)
4) Complete Student Evaluation of Clinical Experience (SECEE) with thoughtful comments and go over it with CI at the end of the rotation (5 points total).
5) Turn in all paperwork correctly, in envelope with CI signature over the closure (5 points total):
a) Time Sheet: signed, initials, and dates completed by CI and student
b) Pink Progress Note: signed, initialed, and dated by CI and signed by student
c) Blue Master List: initialed and dated by CI
d) Manila envelope sealed with all paperwork inside and CI initials over seal
e) Bring PTA Macs notebook with you for DCE to read through.
6) Any attendance issues will be subtracted from the clinical skills area (-4 pts per unexcused absence)
7) Deduction for any Professional Behaviors not completed (-10 pts per behavior)
To receive a “C”, complete all the requirements below without any of the deductions:
1) Skill completion (30 points total):
a) Skills 1-10, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23 and 24: Receive a “Ö” or a “+” on each of these skills
(If student receives an NI, 10 points deducted from final grade for each one)
b) Complete 18 other skills: Receive a “Ö” or a “+” on each of these skills
c) All Professional Behaviors + Other Skills = 34 or 35 total skills completed = 30 points
2) VAS score pertaining to performance on THIS clinical “Meets Entry Level” (15 points total)
a) Not meeting “entry level” will remove all 15 points from your total final score and will require an in-depth look at student’s performance with a possibility of further didactic study, further clinic time, or possible failure.
3) Participate in Canvas Discussion Board (15 points total)
a) 10 thoughtful posts
b) 5 of 5 end of the week journals to DCE (each week)
4) Complete Student Evaluation of Clinical Experience (SECEE) with thoughtful comments and go over it with CI at the end of the rotation (5 points total).
5) Turn in all paperwork correctly, in envelope with CI signature over the closure (5 points total):
a) Time Sheet: Signed, initialed, and dated by CI and student
b) Pink Progress Note: signed, initialed, dated by CI and signed by student
c) Blue Master List: initialed and dated by CI
d) Manila envelope sealed with all paperwork inside and CI initials over seal
e) Bring PTA Macs notebook with you for DCE to read through.
6) Any attendance issues will be subtracted from the clinical skills area (-4 pts per unexcused absence)
7) Deduction for any Professional Behaviors not completed (-10 pts per behavior)
Failure to meet the above minimal criteria may result in a failing grade and dismissal from the program or require the completion of an additional clinical rotation as determined at the discretion of the DCE in conference with the Director of the Program. A rating of “U” (Unacceptable) on any professional behaviors or required skills for that specific rotation will result in a failure of the clinical rotation. The student must practice in a manner that meets the facility’s expectations of a student participating in a full-time clinical education experience.
Please focus on the required skills for that specific location whether acute, orthopedic, or neuro by looking at the Clinical Skills Requirement Chart at the back of the syllabus. This is your “skills roadmap” to help guide you at each location. For example, if you are completing a rotation in the acute setting, the skills with an “A” marked next to them will be the ones you will most likely have the opportunity to complete at that setting. You may get other skills marked off also, but take advantage of every opportunity to complete those skills since you may not have that opportunity later.
PTA Macs skill grading is as listed below:
(+) = Excellent, surpassed entry-level standards in meeting all applicable objectives, practicing the skill independently, safely and effectively.
(Ö) = Entry Level, performed the skill independently, safely and effectively on a consistent basis, meeting all objectives applicable at this facility; the student is entry-level.
(NI) = Not Independent, performed the skill or components of the skill with supervision or assistance, requiring guidance or minor correction; the student is not yet independent in meeting applicable objectives. (requires a comment)
(U) = Unacceptable, demonstrated an inability to perform the skill in a safe and effective manner; the student has received guidance and remains unable to perform the skill or components at or near entry-level; the student performs well below expectations at this facility (CI must call DCE immediately and document reasons/incident by which the student earned this rating.)
(Blank) = Had no opportunity to address this skill.
Grading Scale
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 75-79%
F <75%
Student Assessment of the Clinical Experience
- The student is required to show the clinical instructor turn in a clinical evaluation at the end of each clinical affiliation using the SECEE form in the PTA MACS.
- 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.
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. Failure to obtain Skill 11, Safety, will result in failure of the clinical rotation. Students are expected to complete PTA MACS skills 1-10, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23 and 24 during each clinical. If students do not complete the skills and have an NI, then they will have 10 points deducted for each skill that was not completed. 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. The Visual Analog Scale for this specific clinical will be used to grade the student on current skill level. The student is required to be at “entry level” for this clinical rotation by the end of the rotation. Failure to meet entry level will result in a 15 point final grade deduction.
Clinical Documentation
Students are required to complete documentation according to specifications given by the DCE including having correct signatures, initials, and dates for Progress Report Form, a completed daily hour log with hours totaled, a completed Master List, and a completed Student Evaluation of Clinical Education form. All of these forms are placed in a manila envelope and sealed with CIs signature across the seal.
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 DCE prior to start time of the clinic date that is to be missed. If the DCE 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.
At Weatherford College, we understand that missed days do happen. Therefore, 1 day or an 8 hour grace period will be given to a student who is ill or has had extenuating circumstances that warranted missing. The student will not be required to make the 8 hours up. However, to receive this grace period, both the DCE and the Clinical Instructor MUST BE NOTIFIED. Any unexcused absence where either the DCE or Clinical Instructor was not notified will NOT qualify for the 8 hours of grace period. You will be required to make up these hours or points will be removed at the final grade.
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 4 point penalty per absence on the student’s final grade and, if chronic or severe, may result in expulsion from the program. Per the PTA handbook, 3 late arrivals (tardies) to clinic will equal to 1 full day missed resulting in the same 4 point penalty on the final grade.
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 each evening to obtain announcements and participate in discussion forums.
- Students are expected to initiate and reply to other students' at least 10 discussion posts/comments.
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 board.
- Students MUST write and send an end of the week journal email to the DCE for the first 5 weeks of their 6 week clinical rotation. This allows the DCE to keep up with how the student is doing in a more private manner allowing the student to voice concerns and highlights of their clinical rotation. Journals not submitted at the end of the week by Sunday at midnight, will be considered late. Less than 5 journals and/or late journals will result in a lower grade per the grading criteria below.
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.
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.
As outlined in the learning plan, apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry and will demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and appropriate written and verbal communication skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry.
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.
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.)
SCANS Competencies required for this class: (F1, F2, F3, F5, F6, F8, F9, F11, F13, F15, F16, F17, C1, C4, C5, C7, C9, C10, C11, C12, C14, C18, C19, C20)
SCANS COMPETENCIES
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Foundation Skills |
Workplace Competencies |
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Basic Skills: Reads, writes, performs arithmetic & mathematical operations, listens, and speaks |
Resources: Identifies, organizes, plans & allocates resources |
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F1 |
Reading: Locates, understand, & interprets written information in prose & in documents such as manuals, graphs, & schedules |
C1 |
Time & Selects goal-relevant activities, ranks them, allocates time, & prepares & follows schedules |
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F2 |
Writing: Communicates thoughts, ideas, information, & messages in writing; & creates documents such as letters, directions, manuals, reports, graphs, & flow charts |
C2 |
Money & Uses or prepares budgets, makes forecasts, keeps records, & makes adjustments to meet objectives |
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F3 |
Arithmetic: Performs basic computations ; uses basic numerical concepts such as whole numbers, etc. |
C3 |
Material & Facilities & Acquires, stores, allocates, & uses materials or space efficiently |
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F4 |
Mathematics: Approaches practical problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical techniques |
C4 |
Human Resources & Assesses skills & distributes work accordingly, evaluates performance & provides feedback |
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F5 |
Listening: Receives, attends to, interprets, & responds to verbal messages & other cues |
Information: Acquires & uses information |
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F6 |
Speaking: Organizes ideas & communicates orally |
C5 |
Acquires & evaluates information |
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Thinking Skills: Thinks creatively, makes decisions, solves problems, visualizes, knows how to learn, & reasons |
C6 |
Organizes & maintains information |
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F7 |
Creative Thinking: Generates new ideas |
C7 |
Interprets & communicates information |
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F8 |
Decision Making: Specifies goals & constraints, generates alternatives, considers risks, & evaluates & chooses best alternative |
C8 |
Uses computers to process information |
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F9 |
Problem Solving: Recognizes problems & devises & implements plan of action |
Interpersonal: Works with others |
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F10 |
Seeing Things in the Mind’s Eye: Organizes, & processes symbols, pictures, graphs, objects & other information |
C9 |
Participates as a Member of a Team: Contributes to group effort |
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F11 |
Knowing How to Learn: Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire & apply new knowledge & skills |
C10 |
Teaches others new skills |
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F12 |
Reasoning: Discovers a rule or principle underlying the relationship between two or more objects & applies it when solving a problem |
C11 |
Serves Clients/Customers: Works to satisfy customers’ expectations |
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Personal Qualities: Displays responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, integrity, & honesty |
C12 |
Exercises Leadership: Communicates ideas to justify position, persuades & convinces others, responsibly challenges existing procedures & policies |
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F13 |
Responsibility: Exerts a high level of effort & perseveres towards goal attainment |
C13 |
Negotiates: Works toward agreements involving exchange of resources, resolves divergent interests |
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F14 |
Self-Esteem: Believes in own self-worth & maintains a positive view of self |
C14 |
Works with Diversity: Works well with men & women from diverse backgrounds |
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F15 |
Sociability: Demonstrates understanding, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, & politeness in group settings |
Systems: Understand complex interrelationships |
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F16 |
Self-Management: Assesses self accurately, sets personal goals, monitors progress, & exhibits self-control |
C15 |
Understands Systems: Knows how social, organizational, & technological systems work & operates effectively with them |
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F17 |
Integrity/Honesty: Chooses ethical courses of action |
C16 |
Monitors & Corrects Performance: Distinguishes trends, predicts impacts on system operations, diagnoses systems’ performance & corrects malfunctions |
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C17 |
Improves or Designs Systems: Suggests modifications to existing systems & develops new or alternative systems to improve performance |
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Technology: Works with a variety of technologies |
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C18 |
Selects Technology: Chooses procedures, tools or equipment including computers & related technologies |
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C19 |
Applies Technology to Task: Understands overall intent & proper procedures for setup & operation of equipment |
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C20 |
Maintains & Troubleshoots Equipment: Prevents, identifies, or solves problems with equipment, including computers & other technologies. |