Physical Therapy Aide Online Course Curriculum

Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal

The program goal for Penn Foster's Physical Therapy Aide program is to prepare graduates for an entry-level career as a physical therapist aide.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...

Identify the roles and job duties performed by a typical physical therapist aide and the personal qualities held by successful aides.
Demonstrate understanding of the importance of and techniques used in good customer service and effective communication between the aide, the physical therapist, and the patient.
Show understanding of common physical therapy techniques, including the use of heat and cold modalities, and their effects on the body.
Use appropriate medical terminology related to body systems and physical disorders in order to communicate accurately with patients and colleagues.
Show understanding of the importance of a safe health care environment, including potential hazards and fall prevention, and the aide’s role in maintaining a clean, safe workplace.

Starting Your Program

Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program.

Objectives:

Understand how to use your Student Portal.
Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers.
Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.

Introduction to Physical Therapy

In this lesson, you’ll learn what the practice of physical therapy is all about.

Objectives:

Explore the history of physical therapy.
Understand the roles of the members of a rehabilitation team.

The Physical/Occupational Therapy Aide

Physical therapy aides are skilled health-care workers who are important parts of the rehabilitative team.

Objective:

Understand the role of the physical therapy aide, which includes administering treatments to patients, performing administrative duties, and helping the facility run smoothly and efficiently.

Introduction to Medical Terminology

Become familiar with the medical terms that you will hear on a daily basis in your new career.

Objective:

Expand your understanding of medical terminology to include the anatomy, pathology, procedures, and abbreviations associated with the nervous, sensory, circulatory, and respiratory systems.

Additional Unit Materials

Learning Aids:

Pronunciation CD
Introduction to Medical Terminology Flash Cards

Body Systems Terminology

A body system is composed of organs that are designed to work together so that a particular function—such as breathing—can be performed.

Objective:

Understand terminology associated with nervous, sensory, circulatory, and respiratory systems.

Common Physical Disorders

In this lesson, you’ll identify common dysfunctions, disorders, and conditions of the musculoskeletal system.

Objectives:

Explain the inflammatory process that occurs in the body after an injury.
Describe common disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and hernias.

Additional Unit Materials

Learning Aids:

Pronunciation CD
Body Systems Terminology Flash Cards

Physical Therapy Treatments

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to utilize heat and cold in treatments.

Objectives:

Describe the aide’s role in administering heat treatments.
Understand the purpose of superficial heat treatments, deep heating treatments, and cryotherapy.

Exercise and Mobility Training

Aides help with common therapeutic exercises to help increase range of motion, strength, or coordination.

Objectives:

Describe body mechanics and patient transfers.
Know the types of exercises, including range of motion, strength, and coordination.
Explain ambulation and gait training.

Customer Service

Rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and other providers of therapy have cut costs by hiring aides to assist therapists in the delivery of care to patients.

Objectives:

Understand an aide’s role as a customer service provider and high-quality caregiver.
Describe and apply important customer service skills.

Workplace Health and Safety

In this lesson, you’ll learn about personal, patient, and environmental safety.

Objectives:

Practice proper body mechanics and lifting techniques.
Understand standard first aid and CPR.
Recognize patient distress.
Outline infection control, universal precautions, and disaster procedures.

Clinical Work Experience Option

This program includes an optional work experience component. Looking to your future, we’re providing you with this Work Experience Option Supplement that can be used to help you find a position as a trainee in a medical facility.

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in this field are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster Program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this Program. Click here for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

Penn Foster Career School is not approved or regulated as a school by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Physical therapy is regulated entirely by state licensure laws and practice acts and by federal laws relative to federal programs like Medicare. The physical therapist can and should determine what activities the aide should provide, but that is not regulation. Duties in each state vary. The aide position in Physical Therapy is an unregulated, unlicensed, non-certified, nonregistered profession. There are no requirements for an aide in any state. The program is not sufficient for an assistant position in any state. Assistants require specific educational training, certification, and licensure examinations in every state.

Physical Therapy Aide Course Details

Program Goal and Outcomes

Additional Details

Sample Physical Therapy Aide Lesson