Documentation Basics: A Guide for the Physical Therapist Assistant

Complete and accurate documentation is one of the most important skills for a physical therapist assistant to develop and use effectively. Necessary for both students and clinicians, Documentation Basics: A Guide for the Physical Therapist Assistant will teach and explain physical therapy documentation from A to Z.

Documentation Basics: A Guide for the Physical Therapist Assistant covers all of the fundamentals for prospective physical therapist assistants preparing to work in the clinic or clinicians looking to refine and update their skills. Mia Erickson and Becky McKnight have also integrated throughout the text the APTA's Guide to PT Practice to provide up-to-date information on the topics integral for proper documentation.

What's Inside:

Overview of documentation Types of documentation Guidelines for documenting Overview of the PTA's role in patient/client management, from the patient's point of entry to discharge How to write progress notes How to use the PT's initial examinations, evaluations, and plan of care when writing progress notes Legal matters related to documentation Reimbursement basics and documentation requirements

The text also contains a section titled "SOAP Notes Across the Curriculum," or SNAC. This section provides sample scenarios and practice opportunities for PTA students that can be used in a variety of courses throughout a PTA program. These include:

Goniometry Range of motion exercises Wound care Stroke Spinal cord injury Amputation

Enter the physical therapy profession confidently with Documentation Basics: A Guide for the Physical Therapist Assistant by your side.

Mia L. Erickson, PT, EdD, ATC, CHT

Dr. Erickson is the former Program Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Allegany College of Maryland. Currently she is an Assistant Professor and Co-Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education at West Virginia University. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and Athletic Training from West Virginia University and a Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis. She completed her doctoral work at West Virginia University with emphasis in curriculum and instruction. She maintains clinical practice in the areas of outpatient orthopedics and hand rehabilitation.

Becky McKnight, PT, MS

Ms. McKnight is currently the Program Coordinator of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Ozarks Technical Community College. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from St. Louis University and a post-professional Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She has also been an Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education at Ozarks Technical Community College. She maintains clinical practice and teaching responsibilities in the areas of neurology and geriatrics.