PHTA 1115 PTA Fundamentals I Syllabus 010 Fall 2026

Credit Hours 5.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 4
Type of Credit
CIP Code
51.0806
Course Meeting Time

Mode of Delivery: Face to Face

This course is delivered in-person and includes both lecture and laboratory components.

  • Mondays from 8:00–10:50 am (Lecture)-W108
  • Tuesday from 8:00–11:45 am (Laboratory)-W109

* Students will be required to participate in additional lab time for the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in Entry-Level Skills.

Course Description

This course provides the study of basic physical therapy theory and principles, and a hands-on introduction to the patient care. Emphasis is on standard precautions, infection control and blood borne pathogens, vital signs, transfer techniques, wheelchairs (including basic management and mobility), use of assistive devices/introduction to assisted gait patterns, introduction to normal gait, passive range of motion exercises and other functional skills and training with age specific information as pertains to each topic.

Prerequisites

Admission to Physical Therapist Assistant program

Explanation of Course Alignment
Beginner Performance
  • At this level, performance in required concepts and skills is performed given simple and prescriptive patient scenarios in a controlled laboratory setting. The student demonstrates consistency (80%), requires 50% supervision and efficiency (within allotted time) in completing simple concepts and skills, clinical problem solving, interventions, and related data.
  • Safety is not compromised.
  • Documentation: the student will be able to identify and record basic components of a physical therapy intervention with significant verbal cues (up to 75% assistance). The student will document interventions without interpretation, requiring frequent reminders for accuracy, organization, and completion, and will utilize provided templates and guided instruction to complete tasks within an extended time frame.
  • Billing: The student will be able to identify basic billing terminology and concepts (e.g., CPT codes, units, timed vs. untimed codes) with significant instructor guidance. The student will require frequent cues to calculate units, distinguish billing rules, and complete billing entries, and will demonstrate limited accuracy and organization, with minimal linkage between billing and supporting documentation.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Kim Libby PT, DPT
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8816
Faculty Office Number
M132
Faculty Student Support Hours

Monday 1-2:00, Wednesday 10-12:00, Thursday 1-2:00

Faculty Information

Faculty

Co-Lead Instructors:

Kim Libby, PT, DPT

E: klibby@kcc.edu

T: 815-802-8816

Regina VanDeVelde, PT, DPT

E: rvandevelde@kcc.edu

T: 815-802-8817

Lab Assistant:

Jill Hills, PTA

E: jhills@kcc.edu

Spencer Olson

E: solson@kcc.edu

Course Information

Textbook/s and Course Materials

Author

Title

Edition

Year

ISBN

Publisher

Required 

 

 

 

 

  1. EHR go APP
Program will purchase this

 

 

 

 

  1. Physio U APP
Program will purchase this    
Optional     
  1. Pierson FM, Fairchild SL.
Principles & Techniques of Patient Care7th20239780323720885Elsevier: Saunders
Methods of Evaluation
Attendance/ Class ParticipationXIndividual Projects and Presentations 
Case Study/ScenariosXPractical DemonstrationX
Exams/TestsXWritten AssignmentsX
Group Projects and PresentationsXQuizzesX
PapersXOtherX
Course Policies

The policies and procedures of this course will follow policies and standards outlined in the College Catalog, Health Careers Guidebook as well as the PTA Student Guidebook. All work should reflect the student’s efforts. Group collaboration is encouraged; however, each student must demonstrate personal competence and individual expression in all work submitted to be graded.

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, respectful, and responsible manner in all classroom, laboratory, clinical, and online learning environments. Expectations regarding attendance, participation, communication, technology use, professionalism, and student conduct are outlined in the PTA Student Guidebook. Students are responsible for reviewing and adhering to these policies throughout the program.

Course Calendar
Week/DayTOPICWhat to do before class/ Reading optionalLead Instructor

Monday

Aug 17

Week 1

  • Demographics – due: TODAY
  • Review Syllabus/Canvas/ EHRgo/ PhysioU
  • Lec: Preparation for Patient Care Activities
  • Lec: Documentation Introduction/ EHRgo
  • Read: Pierson and Fairchild Chapter 1
  • Listen to Online Lectures:
  1. Documentation
Professor Libby

Tuesday

Aug 18

  • In Class – Documentation lab
  • Lab: Interview Skills:
  • Subjective
  • All EHRgo assignments
  • EHRgo Orientation
  • Listen to Online Lectures:
  1. Subjective
  2. Objective Section
  3. Assessment Section
  4. Plan Section

Professor Libby

Lab Assistant: Jills Hills

Monday

Aug 24

Week 2

  • Reimbursement Basics
  • Approaches to Infection Control
  • Documentation
  • Donning/ Doffing PPE
  • Read: Pierson and Fairchild Chapter 2
  • APTA Ethics Course Due 9/5/23
  • Review Readings
Professor Libby

Tuesday

Aug 25

  • Practice Donning/doffing PPE
  • ELSC- PPE/ Isolation – due in class
  • ELSC - Handwashing due in class
  • Review the Entry Level Skills Check-off for Handwashing and Donning/doffing PPE Isolation

Professor Libby

Lab Assistant: Jills Hills

 

Labor Day Campus is closed Monday Sept. 7th

  

Monday

August 31 –

Week 3

  • Vital Signs
  • Body Mechanics
  • EHRgo VTE
  • Read: Pierson and Fairchild Chapter 3 & 4
  • Online Lectures:
  1. Vital Signs
  2. Body Mechanics
  3. Vitals are Vitals – Watch videos
Professor Libby

Tuesday

Sept 1

 

Exam 1: Health Care team, documentation, payment and infection control

  • Lab: Vital Signs: BP, HR, RR, O2 saturation assessment and palpation skills – “Juno”
  • Lab: teaching Body Mechanics
  • Vital sign assignment
  • Lab: Pain assignment

     

  • Exam 1
  • Read Lab prior to coming to class
  • PhysioU “Acute Care” – “Vitals”

Professor Libby

 

Lab Assistant: Jills Hills

Monday

Sept 7 – Labor Day, no class

Week 4

Class on 9/3 12-2:15

  • Transfers & Assistive Devices
  • Horizontal/ Vertical Transfer Activities

    Class in M106 - confirmed

  • Read Pierson/Fairchild Ch. 8
  • PhysioU: Transfers and Bed mobility
  • Minimal Equipment video
Professor Libby

Tuesday

Sept 8

  • Lab: Bed mobility and Vertical transfers
  • Simulation lab/ collab with 2nd years on transfers with lines –Confirmed Sim Lab request on 4/28
  • Read Lab prior to coming to class

 

Professor Libby

Lab Assistant: Jills Hills

Monday

Sept 14

Week 5

  • Special Equipment and Patient Care Environments
  • Wheelchair Lecture
  • Read Pierson and Fairchild Ch: 7 & 10
    1. PhysioU – “Acute Care” – “Equipment” and Lines and Tubes
  • Review body mechanic’s lecture
  • Review ADA lecture Ch 13
Professor Libby

Tuesday

Sept 15

  • Lab: Wheelchair fit
  • Lab: Wheelchair components
  • Sign up for WC lab
  • Read Pierson/Fairchild Ch. 9
  • Physio U: “wheelchairs”

Professor Libby

Lab Assistant: Jills Hills

Monday

Sept 21

Week 6

  • Lab: fitting and selecting an AD
  • Case Studies in class
  • Life Long learning Health Screen (TBA)
  • PhysioU: Assistive Device videos
Professor Libby

Tuesday

Sept 22 8-4:00

  • To RMC for lab class

 

 

  • Review: vital signs, chart review, bed mobility, transfers

Professor Libby

Lab Assistant: Spencer Olson

Monday

Sept 28

Week 7

  • Exam 2: Vital signs, Transfer activities, and body mechanics
  • Patient Positioning/ Draping/ Wound Care
  • Exam 2
  • Read Pierson/ Fairchild Ch 5 and 11

 

Professor Libby

Tuesday

Sept 29

  • Lab: Patient positioning and draping to prevent wounds
  • ELSC_Wheelchair/ PROM
  • Read through lab before class

Professor Libby

Lab Assistant: Spencer Olson

Monday

Oct 5

Week 8

  • Basic Exercise
  • ROM/ PNF
  • Read Pierson/ Fairchild Ch. 6
  • Review picture in Pierson textbook
  • PhysioU: PROM

     

Professor Libby

Tuesday

Oct 6

  • Basic Exercise lab/ ROM lab
  • ELSC: PROM
 

Professor Libby

Lab Assistant: Spencer Olson

Monday

Oct 12

Week 9

  • Review

     

 Professor Libby

Tuesday

Oct 13

  • Midterm Practical – sim lab
  • Midterm Reflection
 

Professor Libby

Lab Assistant: Spencer Olson

Monday

Oct 19

Week 10

  • Exam 3: Positioning/ Draping & ROM
  • Exam 3
  • All ELSC must be complete by this date

Vital signs, Body mechanics, positioning and draping, bed mobility, transfers, and wheelchair.

Professor Libby

Tuesday

Oct 20

  • Exercise lab
 

Professor Libby

Lab Assistant: Spencer Olson

Monday

Oct 26

Week 11

  • Normal Gait Lecture

    -Gait Deviations (in PP)

  • Gait ROM chart (Lecture and Lab)
  • Read Lippert Ch 21
  • Online Lecture

    1. Normal Gait

     

Professor VanDeVelde

Tuesday

Oct 27

 

  • Lab: Normal gait
  • Lab: Practice proper guarding w/wo AD
  • Gait Patterns with AD/Guarding (Student Resource and PhysioU videos)
  • Read Lab prior to coming to class
  • Physio U Gait Pattern with AD Videos- Look at prior to class

Professor VanDeVelde

Lab Assistant: Spencer Olson

Monday

Nov 2

Week 12

  • Abnormal gait patterns on level and uneven surfaces (see Normal Gait Lecture)
  • Gait Patterns with AD (continued)
  • Ambulation activities on uneven surfaces
  • Physio U gait pattern: Mini Sims
Professor VanDeVelde

Tuesday

Nov 3

  • Lab: Practice gait patterns with an AD on uneven surfaces
  • Clinical Pattern Stairs Handout-PhysioU
  • ELSC: Gait training with AD (Will be completed over the next 2-3 weeks-look out for sign-up sheet)
Read Lab prior to coming to class

Professor VanDeVelde

Lab Assistant: ?

Monday

Nov 9

Week 13

  • Gait: patient scenarios
  • Physio U Case Study PTA Lines and Tubes
Professor VanDeVelde
Tuesday Nov 10
  • Practice, Content Review, Gait review
  • Discharge Planning/Recommendations Lecture: Bridget Neylon (10:45-11:30 am)
 

Professor VanDeVelde

Lab Assistant: Megan Arpin

Monday

Nov 16

Week 14

  • Exam 4: Gait
  • Incidents and Emergencies
  • Exam in W110
  • Read Pierson/ Fairchild Ch. 12
Professor VanDeVelde

Tuesday

Nov 17

  • Incidence and Emergencies Lab
  • Lab: Gait Review/Lab Practical Review
 

Professor VanDeVelde

Lab Assistant: Spencer Olson

Wednesday, November 19thTo IMH/Riverside for lab class/integrated clinical education experience (based on assignment)- please note this date deviates from the normal schedule due to clinical site availabilityReview instruction on parking and time of arrival for integrated clinical education experienceProfessor VanDeVelde

Monday

Nov 23

Week 15

To RMC or IMH for lab class/integrated clinical education experience Professor VanDeVelde

Tuesday

Nov 24

To RMC or IMH for lab class/integrated clinical education experience 

Professor VanDeVelde

 

Lab Assistant: Spencer Olson

Monday

Nov 30

Week 16

Final Written Exam (Comprehensive)Exam in W110Professor VanDeVelde

Tuesday

Dec 1

Final Practical Exam (Comprehensive) 

Professor VanDeVelde

 

Lab Assistant: Spencer Olson

Tuesday

Dec 8

Week 17

 

Retake Lab Practical (as needed)

 

Professor VanDeVelde

 

Lab Assistant: Spencer Olson

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.