Physical Therapy Aide Module 1

Medical Terminology Review

• Pronunciation
• Spelling
• Word Roots
• Combining Vowels/Form
• Prefixes
• Suffixes
• General Rules
• Word Building
• Abbreviations
• Procedural and Diagnostic Billing Codes
• Body Structure
• Organization of the Body
• Anatomical Position
• Body Planes
• Directional and Positional Terms
• Body Cavities

Physical Therapy Aide Module 2

The Profession of Physical Therapy

• History and Evolution of Physical Therapy
• Multidisciplinary Approach to Health Care
• The Rehabilitation Team
• The Role of the Physical Therapy Aide
• History of Physical Medicine
• Physical and Therapeutic Allied Health Careers
• Understanding Medical Ethics and Medical Law
• The Patient and the Health Care Worker
• Patient Medical Records and the Law
• Interprofessional Issues
• Communicating Effectively
• Communication in the Physical Therapy Setting
• Appointment Scheduling
• Using Medical Abbreviations
• Understanding the Patient’s Medical Record
• Administrative Role of the Physical Therapy Aide
• Billing, Banking, and Insurance Processing

Physical Therapy Aide Module 3

Scientific Principles

• Understanding the Human Body
• Systems of the Body
• The Musculoskeletal System
• The Digestive System
• The Circulatory System
• The Respiratory System
• The Nervous System
• The Integumentary System
• The Urinary System
• The Endocrine System
• The Reproductive System
• The Skeletal System
• The Axial Skeleton
• The Appendicular Skeleton
• Joints and Movement

Physical Therapy Aide Module 4

Physical Dysfunctions, Safety and Charting

• Treating Common Medical Disorders
• Using Physical Therapy to Treat Burns
• Treatment of Amputation
• Treatment of Genitourinary Disorders
• Safety in the Working Environment
• Practicing Good Body Alignment and Movement
• Asepsis and Infection Control
• Performing Proper Handwashing
• Infection Control
• Preparation for Patient Care
• Management of the Environment
• Body Mechanics
• Verbal Commands
• Patient Preparation
• Transportation

Physical Therapy Aide Module 5

Patient Care Skills & Physical Therapy Modalities

• Turing and Positioning the Patient
• Turing in the Prone Position
• Turning on the Floor Mat
• Turning from a Supine Position to a Side-Lying Position
• Returning from a Supine Position to a Sitting Position
• Types of Patient Transfers
• Preparation for Beginning Transfers
• Standing Transfers
• Bathtub Transfers
• Sitting Transfers
• Drawsheet Transfers
• Pneumatic Lift Transfers
• One-Person Transfer from Floor to Wheelchair

Physical Therapy Aide Module 6

Physical Therapy Modalities

• Tips on Preambulation Teaching
• Choosing the Appropriate Device
• Gait Training and Gait Deviations
• Therapeutic Exercises
• Measuring Muscle Strength
• Skill or Coordination Exercises
• Range of Motion Exercises
• Superficial Heating Agents
• Deep Heating Agents
• Ultrasound
• Hydrotherapy
• Cold Therapy
• Massage
• Cervical Traction
• Specialized Clinical Procedures
• Electroneural Stimulation
• Application of a Cast
• Administration of Medication
• Specialized Reflex Tests
• Orthotics and Prosthetics
• Sports Bandaging and Taping
• Pet Therapy
• Career Skills and the Physical Therapy Aide
• The Job Search
• The Cover Letter & Resume
• Interviewing
• Finding Job Leads

**Outlines ares ubject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**