Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Direct Access Package
Included Courses
Courses included in this package. Click on a course to learn more.
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Effective Evaluation and Treatment of Common Orthopedic Upper Extremity Diagnoses 4
Course release date: 1/6/2025
Course Overview
This course is intended for all healthcare professionals who care for patients of various ages with orthopedic needs resulting from injury, surgery, abnormal development, and any other cause of abnormal use or movement of the upper extremities. This can result in decreased function and independence secondary to lack of normal movement patterns of the upper extremities. This course is also for healthcare professionals seeking knowledge regarding evaluation and treatment methods for the most common orthopedic conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, hand, and fingers. Various effective evaluations and interventions will be shared to assist healthcare professionals with current and future patients to enhance independence for all areas of occupation including play, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and more.
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Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting in Pennsylvania, 2nd edition (Renewal Licensure) 2
Course release date: 4/9/2024
About the course
Child abuse and neglect remains a significant problem for us all in the U.S. as well as in Pennsylvania. Approximately 3.5 million children in the U.S. were the subjects of at least one child abuse or neglect report (United States Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2019). In Pennsylvania alone, there were 46,208 reports of suspected child and student abuse in 2017 (HHS, 2019). This course provides the details of the identification, assessment, and reporting of child abuse and reviews Pennsylvania state laws regarding child abuse and neglect.
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Exercise Prescription and Rehabilitation Considerations for Older Adults 3
Course release date: 7/8/2024
About the Course
This course is intended for rehabilitation professionals who participate in the care of older adults. The course explores the strength, endurance, and aerobic capacity deficits commonly seen in this population. Not only will it discuss the causes and contributing factors to these deficits, but it will also discuss assessment tools, evaluation techniques, standardized assessments, and patient interventions.
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Components of Ethics for Physical Therapy Professionals 3
Course Release Date: 10/7/2024
Course Overview
Ethical behavior is a fundamental component of all healthcare professions, regardless of where or how they practice. The purpose of this course is to provide healthcare professionals a broad overview on the study of ethical behavior and action as it is applied to practice, education, and research. The course will define terms used in discussing ethics, describe general principles and values of ethics and standards of conduct, and explain a decision-making process for analyzing ethical issues and potential disciplinary actions or sanctions that might occur if unethical behavior is determined by professional and/or credentialing organizations. Case studies are included throughout to stimulate reflection and direct application to practice examples. This course is the 3-hour extended version of “Components of Ethics for Healthcare Professionals” that includes specific policies from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) outlining standards for ethics and professionalism for physical therapy professionals.
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Supportive Living Environments for Older Adults 5
Course release date: 7/8/2024
About the Course
This course provides a detailed description of varied options supporting the well-being of older adults throughout the trajectory of the senior life course. While the term aging in place expresses a desire shared by many older adults, it is imperative for the environment to support the realities of the aging body, physical and mental changes, and the ability to access meaningful relationships that can ensure psychosocial needs are met. Identifying other solutions to support healthy aging is important for healthcare professionals who can serve as resources for older patients, educating them about options and opportunities for healthy aging and the ability to thrive throughout life. This course will provide learners with knowledge on communities designed around aging adults, supportive services, innovative technologies, and devices designed create safer environments—all in an effort to maintain a sense of independence in any home and/or community.
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Evidence-based Treatment Guidelines for Patients with Hip Osteoarthritis (OA) 5
Course Overview
This comprehensive course provides healthcare practitioners with evidence-based guidelines and best practices for evaluating and treating patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). Through detailed examination of current research and clinical practice guidelines, participants will learn effective assessment techniques, outcome measures, and multidisciplinary treatment approaches. The course covers key topics such as manual therapy techniques, exercise prescription, pain science education, activity modification strategies, and post-operative rehabilitation following total hip arthroplasty. Through lecture, demonstration videos, and case examples, participants will gain practical knowledge to perform comprehensive evaluations, implement evidence-based interventions, and develop occupation-based treatment plans that optimize outcomes for this patient population. This intermediate-level course is designed for rehabilitation professionals who treat patients with hip OA, with content emphasizing clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to support patients' participation in meaningful activities and occupations. -
Introduction to Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation for Healthcare Professionals 2
Course release date: 10/15/2025
Course Overview
This course covers the anatomy and role of the pelvic floor in everyday function, as well as common pelvic floor disorders that rehabilitation providers encounter in the clinic. Using demonstrations, case studies, and interactive learning, providers will learn how to screen for common pelvic floor disorders and identify when to refer out. In addition, this course is meant to acquaint professionals with the tools, tests, and measures that may be unique to a pelvic floor PT/OT evaluation. Some intervention strategies for common pelvic floor diagnoses will also be addressed, so general providers can feel confident providing patient education on what happens as they navigate the healthcare system. -
Sensory Brain Development: Theory and Application for Therapy Practitioners 6
Course release date: 7/1/2026
Course Overview
This course offers a comprehensive overview of the neurological foundations of sensory processing and integration, designed specifically for therapy professionals seeking to enhance their clinical practice. This course bridges neuroscience with practical therapeutic interventions, examining how sensory experiences shape brain development across the lifespan and influence cognitive, emotional, and behavioral outcomes. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of sensory assessment techniques, evidence-based treatment approaches, and strategies for addressing sensory processing challenges in diverse populations, empowering practitioners to develop more effective, personalized therapeutic protocols that harness the brain's neuroplasticity for optimal client outcomes.