DOCUMENT NesumgED 026 494 Yr 006 93lThe Physical Therapy Aide: Collection of Guidelines and Policy StatementiAmerican Phr;ical Therapy Association, Ness York, NX.Pub Date 5 Apr 68Note-12p.EDRS Poce MF -$0.25 HC-$0.70Descriptors-Clinical Experience, Curriculum, *Health Occupations Education, Occupational Infor tion, *Policy.*Professional Associations, Prosi,am Administration, *Standards

identifiers-American Physical Therapy Association, *Physical Therapy AidesMaterials in this collection include a policy statement for the training and

utilization of the physical therapy aide, guidelines for training, and a sample form forreporting information about a training program to the American Physical TherapyAssociation. The policy statement defines the aide as an unlicensed worker who hascompleted on-the-job training and who functions under the supervision of aprofessional physical therapist to perform designated routine tasks and assist withother activities which are predetermined and assigned by the professional physicaltherapist. Qualifications, training standards, and duties are outlined. The guidelinesfor training stipulate the kinds of institutions in which didactic instruction may begiven and include a 109-hour sample program outline as well as a sample scheduleproviding for 109 hours of didactic instruction and 211 hours of on-the-lob training.The training report form requests such information as number of trainees, age range,education, work experience, wage during training, employment after training, use ofguidelines, and problems encountered. (JK)

MERICAIS ErirSICALBroadway, NewI.

and Ctilization of the

Policy Statements

TION10019

ical Therapy Aide,

US DEPARTMENT Of HEALTH, MCA ON & WELf4E

MICE OF MAIMMIT HAS REIN MOWED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE

MIKADOS ORIOINADY46 IT. POINTS OF VIEW OR OMNIONS

NOT EMILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE Of EDUCATION

POW.

'e is a noalicensed worker who has completed an on-the-joi;

ical therapy a d primary function is to-perform de-ted to the operation of a physical therapy service but

ted activities which are predetermined for each patientonal physical therapist.

Imrs sistamd assisme4 Bey

Persons Iife of the shill.

Cc

1 health as determined by a pre

of school a or work performance which gives

o meet requirements of the job.

aide may be established when there is a

e assurance of employment.

participation of professional physical therapists in the

tation, and evaluation of the physical therapy aide train-

thin or affiliated with a physicalcriter a established by the American Physical

fallow the guidelines ztcomended by the AmericanAn outline to be used for the training of aides

caullaysical Therapy Association.

completion of the recommended training program, the trainee is

lined in this documenqualified physical therapis

under

continuing supervision of the

-2-

The physical therapy aide may work only in a supervised situation where there is

direction, guidance and frequent observation by the professional physic 3. therapist

DUTIES:

The ext nt to which the physical therapy aide will participate in the following

activities will be dependent upon the organization, structure, and size of the

physical therapy service.

1 Operational Activities

Maintenance: I follow established procedures pertaining to the care

of equipment and supplies.

prepare, maintain, clean up treatment areas; maintain

supportive areas.

b. Transportation: transport patients, records, equipment and supplies

in accordance with established policies and procedures.

c. Clerical: perform predetermined general office procedures.

d. Other: perform special duties es assigned.

Patient Related Activities:

The physical therapy aide shall not interpret physicians' referrals, perform

evaluative procedures, initiate or4adjust treatment, assume respcnsibility for

planning patient care, nor make entries in the patients' records, but may:

assist patients in preparation for and, as necessary, during, and at

the conclusion of treatment.

b. assemble and disassemble equipment and aclesaories.

e. assist patignts in the safe practice of activities related to the develop-

ment of strength and endurance.

d. perform treatment procedures predetermined for each patient by the legally

qualified physical therapist and in accordance with the training of the worker.

RECOGNITION:

Recognition of the training of the Jade shall be left to the discretion of the training

institution.If a certificate is awarded, it is recommended that the document include

a statement to the effect that the aide has been trained to work under the

supervision of a legally qualified physical therapist.

Policy statement prepared by the A.P.T.A. Ad Hoc Committee to Study the Utilizat4on

and Training of the NonprofessionalAssistants, March 1966 and approved by the House

of Delegates, July 1966.

P.T.A.4/68/5 c

AMERICAN PHYFT.CAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION

1740 Broadway, New York N.Y. 10019

Guide ines for Physical Therapy Aide Training.

Introduction

The attached guidelines for physical therapy aide training have been prepared for use by

health care facilities witb established physical therapy services which are concerned

with the development or modlfication of physical therapy aide ~-nining Pvograms.

This is essentially an on-the-job training program. The practice sebsions, at least,

must be held in an established physical therapy service. The didactic aspects may be

provided in an institution which provides training in health careers and may be in one

of the following categories:

Hospital accredited by the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation

Approved home health agencyPublic vocational schoolRehabilitation center which is a umber of the Association of Rehab-

ilitation Centers

It is desirable that more than 1 physical therapist be employed in the physical therapy

service which is selected for the practice sessions.

The professional physical therapist shall participate actively in the the develo ment

implementation, and evaluation of the physical therapy aide training program. The

participating physical therapist should have a minimum of 2 years of professional ex-

perience after completing professional education. Supervisory,administrative and/or

teaching experience is desirable.

It is to be noted that the hours allotted in the guidelines for each topic indicate the

relative importance of the subject and of the possible division of classroom instruction

and supervised-on-the-job training. The classroom hours total approximately 1/3 of the

total training tine and may need to be adjusted in line with the learning abilities of

the trainee. However, care should be taken to avoid a disproportionate number of class-

room hours in relation to the practice sessions. The method of presentation-lecture,

laboratory, demonstration, or a combination is not specified but is left to the dis-

cretion of the instructor.

It may be necessary to adjust the hours and some topics depending upon the type of fac-

ility and the characteristics of the patients generally treated in the institution where

the aide will be employed. It is imperative that the physical therapy aide trainee have

adequate opportunity to observe and practice in the setting where he will be employed.

Upon completion of the training program, the physicai therapy aide may work only in a

supervised situation where there is direction, guidance, and frequent observation by

the professional physical therapist. The physical therapy aide's primary function is

to perform designated routine tasks related to the operation of a physical therapy ser-

vice but he may assist with patient-related activities which are predetermined for each

patient and assigned by the professional physical therapist.

The attached materials identify the functions of a physical therapy aide and his relation-

ship with other workers in a physical therapy service. Uniformity in the use of the title

physical therapy aide and in the training of this worker will denote certain qualifications.

AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION1740 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10019

Guidelinesfor

Physical Therapy Aide Training

UNIT I. INTRODUCTION HOURS

A. Orientation I 8 hours

Health fieldHealth facilityPhysical therapy service

personnelrelationships

Employment informationRules and regulationsJob of the aide

dutiesrcaponsibtlitiesevaluation of perfOrmance

B. Orientation II

Attitudes and standards of conductrelationships with

patientspersonnelvisitors

Personal health and hygienePosture and grooming

Body mechanics

4 hours

C. Orientation III

Prevention of spread of disease and infectionhandwashingprinciples of sterile techniqueprinciples of disinfection and sterilization

Common hospital and medical termsIdentification of common hospital equipment

3 hours

D. Orientation IV 4 hours

Safety practicesHousekeepingFireAccident reports

2 -

Protection o patientrecordspersonal property

First aid- simple bandaging

UNIT II. MAINTENANCE AND CLERICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Care of Treatment Areas4 hours

Common physical therapy termsIdentification of Equipment

Care ofwet areasdry areas

Care of beds and plinths

B. Care and Maintenance of Supplies

CareDistributionStorageInventory

4 hours

0 LinenExpendable suppliesSterile supplies and inedicc4ions

Office supplies

C. Care, Maintenance and Preparat on of Equipment for Use

Cleaning and disinfectionMaintenance careSafety checksStoragePreparation for use OP:

D. Office Procedures

Communicationstelephonemessages

ReceptionSchedulesRecords

officepatient

Filing

12 hours

Hydrotherapy equipmentElectrotherapy equipmentExercise, assistive and supportive

equipmentMiscellaneous and special equipment

UNIT III. TRANSPORT AND PREPARATION OF PATIENT FOR TREATMENT

A. Patient Transport

4 hottcs

4 hours

3 -

Transportation equipmentCaresafety in use

Assisting patient in transferassisting to sittingassisting to standing

B. Body Positioning and Alignment 9 hours

Changing bed positionPositioning and draping for treatment

C. Assistance in Dressing and Undressing

Care of patient's clothespersonal belongings

Removal and application of supportive and assistive devices

D. Special Considerations 3 hours

Observation of patient's comfort and response

Surveillance

Equipmenttractionplaster castsspecial frames and beds

UNIT IV. STRUCTURE AND MAINTENANCE OF FUNCTION OF HUMAN BODY

A. Bones and jointsbony prominencesjoint motions

B. Skincare

pressure areasdecubiti

C. Muscles and nervesnervous systemsmajor muscle groups

gross functionmaintenance of function

lower extremitiesupper extremities

D. DigestionGastro-Intestinal and Genito-Urinary systems

gross structures

Foodserving foodfeeding the helpless patientpassing drinking water

3 hours

4 hours

4 hours

iminationpresentation and removal

bedpanurinal

Special Ordersinput and outputdiet restrictions

Special equipmenttubes

recognition, function, care

E. Circulation and Respiration

Cardiovascular and respiratory systems

gross structurenormal function

Temperature, pulse and respiration

-Special equipmenttubesCircoelectric bed

other

Tilt Table

UNIT 11, ASSIST THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST IN SELECTED TREATMENT PROCEDURES

A. Effects of heat and cold

Normal reactionsDanger signs to be observed and reported

Importance of observation and reporting

B. Applications of heat and cold

PurposeTemperature controlapplication and removal 0

C. Special ConsiderationsGeriatric patientsPediatric patientsSpecial conditions

orthopedicneurologicalmedicalsurgicalpsychiat ic

Hot packsCold applicationsHubbard tankWhirlpoolPool without exerciseContrast bathsParaffin applicationsMoist airInfrared

9 hours

2 hours

6 hours

4 hours

- 5 -

UNIT VI. ASSIST THE PATIENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF STENG MiD EN1MJRANC

A. Assisting in practice of ambulationbody mechanicssafety precautionsobservations and reportingtypes of ambulation aidsusesmeasurement and adjustmentcare

B. Assisting in practice of transfer activitiesbody mechanicssafety precautionsobservations and reporting

C. Assisting in practice of self-care activitiesbody mechanit's

adaptive devicesprecautionsobservations and reporting

6 hours

6 hours

D. Assisting in practice of general conditioning exercises 6 hours

purpose and typesnormal reactionsprecautions and danger signsobservations and reportingcare of equipment

Total hours- 109- not including reviews and tests211- on-the-job training.

Icah4/ /5 C

P.T.A. I

AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION

1740 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10019

Suggested Schedule for Physical TherapyAlde Ttaining Program.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRI AY

Orientation I

Orientation II

Orientation III

3 hours

Orientation IV 4 h urs

Care of

Treatment areas

4 hours

4 hours

8 hour

4..........--------....

On The Job Training

..

6Test

Care and Maintenance

of Supplies

4 hours

7

Care, Maintena

4 hours

a

ce, and Preparation of Eq.ipment

4 hours

9

for Use

4 hours

10

Office Ptocedures

4 hours

,__,.. ----, 4(....

On The Job Ttaining

fl

Test

Patient transport

101220.-

12

Body Positio

Application o

i.

13

ng and Alignment; Draping

Clothing Supportive, and

3 hours

14

Removal and

Assistive Devices

iReview

3 hours

15

Special Considerations

!3 hours

On The Job Training

..

16

Test

Bones, Joints, Skin Care

3 hours

7

Muscles and Nerves

Maintenance of Function

4 hours

18

Digestion

19

Review

Circulation and lespiration

Systems

2 hours

Temperature, Pulse,

ResPiration

3 hours

4 hours

On The Job Ttaining

,

ON

DA

YT

UE

SDA

YT

HU

RSD

AY

IR D

AY

.

2122

Cir

cula

tion

& R

espi

ratio

nR

evie

wSp

ecia

l Equ

ipm

ent

Tilt

Tab

le

--_W

ED

NE

SDA

Y

23T

est

Eff

ects

cif

Hea

t and

Col

dJ.

On

The

Job

Tra

inin

g

24;

App

licat

ions

of

2 ho

ur-

25

:eat

and

Col

d2

hour

s

2627

App

licat

ions

of

Hea

tan

d C

old

Spec

ial C

o2

hour

s2

hour

s

28

side

ratio

ns2

hour

s

29

Rev

iew

Tes

t

30

Ass

ist i

n Pr

actic

eof

am

bula

tion 2 ho

urs

On

The

Job

Tra

inin

g,

A.M

=M

e

32

Ass

ist i

n Pr

acti

e of

Am

bula

tion

2 ho

urs

2hou

rs

33

Asr

ist i

n Fr

ac2

hour

s

34

ice

of T

rans

fer

and

Self

-2

0s

35

-re

Act

iviti

es2

hour

s

On

The

Job

Tra

inin

g

3637

Ass

ist i

n Fr

a.tic

l of

Gen

eral

Con

ditio

1.1.

38

ing

Rxe

rcis

es2

.

39

Rev

iew

40

Fina

l Tes

t

On

The

Job

Tra

inin

g

._

.

- 2

-

__

__

14 68

AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION

1740 Broadway, New York, N. Y. 10019

Physical Therapy Aide Training P ogram

Report to the APTA

Name and address of health Care Fac ty:

Dates of Training program:Name of supervising physical therapist:

212sILE2ggsdingpr a in e s

1. Number in program:MaleFemale

Number completing program:MaleFemale

3. Raw: of age of those completing program:

Nmber under 18 yearsNumber 18-20Number 21-30Number 31-40Number 41-50Number 51-60Number over 61

Trainees' previous education and/or work experience:

Number who did not complete high school

Number who are high school graduates

*Number who had other special education or trainim....

*Number who held previous employmentApproximate length of time since previous employment:

less than 6 months 111111MMININIMII11

6 months to 1 year1 - 2 yearsmore than 2 years

(*If information is available about the nature of special education or

training or previous employment please record on separate sheet.)

5. Were trainees paid an hourly wage during training program:

Yes amount

NoIf yes, what was the source of funds:

Training facilityGovernment sponsored project

6. Are all trainees who completed the p o ram presently employed as physical th

aides:Yes NoNumber employed in the training facility

7. If not, describe the nature of their present activities:

(use,separate sheet if necessary)

spy

(over)

8. Describe your antic ted plans for follow up of t ai ees:

p_w_ss ardig22s_zoinjaa jazzam:

9. Were tht APTA Guidelines used? Yes No

10. Describe any modifications, additions or deletions wh ch were made in the

Guidelines:

11. Describe any problems which were encountered:

12. If available, please attach any course materials such as schedule of classes

bibliography, "handouts", tests.

Other

13. Describe any other problems which the trainees or the training facility en-

countered:

14. Any suggestions or recommendations:

P.T.A. 1

4/68/5

Signed

Title

Date of report