Washington Occupational Therapy Assistant Continuing Education

• Detail how disorders of respiration might affect swallowing performance
• Discuss common medical and surgical complications that lead to or exacerbate dysphagia
• Review how artificial supports for respiration might interfere with swallowing
• List surgical procedures that may lead to postoperative dysphagia
• Explore traumatic injuries and how a traumatic injury may effect swallowing performance

• Describe the rationale for early detection of swallowing disorders
• Review the main components of the clinical evaluation of swallowing in adults
• Present the strengths and weaknesses of evaluation protocols
• Discuss noninvasive techniques for improving the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination
• Review standardized tests for dysphagia
• Present potential adjunctive measures of swallowing performance

• Explain why it is important to “image” the swallowing mechanism and evaluate swallow function with an instrumental study
• List 5 basic guidelines to help determine whether any instrumental swallowing examination is indicated
• Describe the basic components and potential modifications of a fluoroscopic swallowing examination and an endoscopic swallowing examination
• Describe and differentiate strengths and weaknesses of the fluoroscopic swallowing examination and the endoscopic swallowing examination
• Compare the endoscopic examination with the fluoroscopic examination

• List and examine 3 categories of physical agents
• Outline and describe 4 effects of physical agents
• List contraindications and precautions for the use of physical agents
• Describe the process for evaluating and planning for the use of physical agents
• List important considerations for documentation for the use of physical agents

(Content from this course is included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course. Do not take this individual course if you plan or have taken TM 101)

Introduction to Electrical Currents

• Define and describe 3 electrical current parameters including waveforms, time-dependent and other electrical current parameters
• Describe 3 positive effects of electrical currents
• List 3 contraindications and precautions for the use of electrical currents
• Outline the steps for application including patient positioning, electrode type and placement and list 3 general considerations

Electrical Currents for Muscle Contraction

• Describe the physiology involved in muscle contraction in the innervated muscle
• Describe clinical application for orthopedic, neurologic and sports medicine
• Describe muscle contraction for denervated muscle
• List 5 precautions and contraindications
• Outline parameters including, but not limited to, electrode placement, positioning, frequency and amplitude for the use of electrical stimulation for innervated muscles

(This content is NOT included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course)

• Discuss the physical properties of electromagnetic radiation
• Become familiar with the history and physical properties of lasers and lights
• List and describe 6 effects of lasers and lights
• Review the indications and contraindications for the use of lasers and lights
• Outline the steps involved in the application of lasers and lights
• Discuss important components involved in documentation with the use of lasers and lights
• Read case studies to understand clinical application
• Outline and describe the physical properties of ultraviolet radiation
• Describe 5 effects of ultraviolet radiation
• List and examine 2 clinical indications for the use of ultraviolet radiation
• List 5 contraindications and adverse effects for the use of ultraviolet radiation
• Describe application techniques for ultraviolet radiation

(Content from this course is included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course. Do not take this individual course if you plan or have taken TM 101)

• Describe 5 clinical indications for the use of spinal traction
• Outline and describe application techniques for mechanical traction, lumbar, cervical, self and positional traction
• Examine important aspects included in documentation for the use of traction

Electrical Currents for Soft Tissue Healing

• Explain how electrical stimulation facilitates wound healing
• Describe 3 parameters for electrical stimulation to promote wound healing
• Explore and list 2 parameters for the use of iontophoresis
• Describe the use of electrical currents for edema control
• List 3 precautions and 3 contraindications for the use of electrical currents in tissue healing

Electrical Currents for Pain Control

• Describe the use of conventional TENS, Low-rate and Burst-Mode TENS for the use of pain control
• List and describe 3 contraindications for the use of electrical currents for pain control
• Examine parameters such as waveform, electrode placement, amplitude, treatment time and frequency in the use of electrical currents for the use ofpain control
• Read case studies and highlight clinical application

(This content is NOT included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course)

• Define 4 physical properties of water
• Describe 6 physiological effects of hydrotherapy
• Examine 4 uses for the use of hydrotherapy in clinical practice
• List and describe 4 adverse effects and 5 contraindications and precautions for hydrotherapy
• Compare and contrast clinical use and application techniques
• Examine and describe 3 important safety considerations for infection prevention

(This content is NOT included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course)

• Describe 3 benefits and the effects of the use of external compression
• Outline and describe 5 clinical indications for the use of external compression
• List 5 contraindications and precautions
• Outline and describe application techniques for bandaging, compression garments, and compression pumps
• Examine the adverse effects of external compression

• Understand electrical principles so that you can predict the amount and location of current flow in human tissues including muscles. 
• Decide whether an individual is appropriate for EStim given relevant contraindications, precautions, and associated risks.
• Link electrode placement and electrical waveform selection. 
• Chose common electrical stimulus parameters based on the desired outcome and individual patient needs. 
• Describe application techniques that are safe, comfortable, and effective manner. 
• Identify resources for continue learning and application of knowledge

• Become familiar with the importance of primary vision care in geriatrics
• Identify normal age-related vision changes in the aging population
• Describe 5 age-related systemic and neurological diseases
• Differentiate between anterior and posterior segment diseases in the older adult
• Become familiar with the optometric examination of the older adult
• List 5 factors that complicate eye examination in the older adult
• Describe auditory impairment in the older adult
• Describe 3 pharmacological aspects of aging
• Identify options for vision correction in the older adult
• Discuss the option of contact lenses and the older adult
• Describe the importance of functional therapy in rehab of the older adult
• Identify important factors in the care of older adults who are visually impaired
• Outline and compare 3 common issues facing the older driver
• Identify key nutritional concerns in the older adult
• Describe the delivery of vision care in nontraditional settings
• Discuss 5 public health aspects involving care of the older adult
• Become familiar with 3ethical issues involving care of the older adult
• Desccribe the field of vision rehab and the aging population

• Compare and contrast the profile of suicide in the US and Washington State
• Describe the etiology of suicidal behavior in terms of biological, psychosocial, societal and cultural factors
• Explain the continuum of self-protective behavioral responses
• List common myths about suicidal behaviors
• Discuss the theories of suicidal motivation
• Explain the effect of suicide on others
• Describe risk factors for suicide
• Describe protective factors
• Identify primary motivators of suicidal behavior in different age cohorts
• Outline the etiology of suicidal behavior in military personnel and the LGBTQ+ community
• Describe the role of screening in the health care practice
• List common screening tools
• List the NIMH 5 Action Steps
• Identify key strategies of suicide prevention in the community
• Discuss ways to engage the family in protecting their loved one
• Explain the need for follow up and referral

• Describe the mechanisms by which the skin is able to provide its 6 major functions
• Describe the structures, function and cellular composition of the skin layers, including layers within the dermis and eipdermis
• Explain the relationship between skin pigmentation and protection against ultraviolet light
• Compare and contrast the structural and cellular development of the skin in the fetus, premature infant, full-term neonate, adolescent and adult
• Describe at least 2 effects on the skin of the following: hydration, sun, nutrition, soaps and medications
• Compare and contrast the structure and function of dark and light pigmented skin

• Compare and contrast wound healing processes for each type of closure: primary, intention, secondary intention and tertiary intention
• Distinguish between partial thickness and full thickness wound repair
• Explain the difference between acute and chronic full thickness wounds
• Describe 4 characteristics of a chronic wound
• Describe the role of various types of cells in the wound repair process
• Describe features and characteristics of scarless healing
• Distinguish between keloid and hypertrophic scarring and the treatment of each
• Identify conditions and comorbidities that affect the wound healing process

• Describe the process of at least 5 factors that contribute to skin damage
• Distinguish among the following terms; macule, papule, plaque, nodule, wheal, pustule, vescile and bulla
• Describe 4 types of mechanical trauma by the extent of tissue damage associated with each
• Discuss 3 interventions for preventing each type of mechanical trauma
• Describe 3 preventive interventions for 3 common causes of chemical damage
• Describe the process of an allergic contact dermatitis
• Identify factors that predispose a patient to candidiasis
• Describe manifestations and care of skin damage due to irradiation

• Differentiate between skin inspection and assessment
• List 6 factors to consider when assessing darkly pigmented skin
• Distinguish between wound assessment and evaluation of healing
• Define partial-thickness and full-thickness tissue loss
• Compare and contrast a normal and an abnormal finding for each wound assessment parameter
• Describe how to measure the length, width, depth tunneling and undermining of a wound

• Describe the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers in various clinical settings and vulnerable patient populations
• Define pressure ulcer
• Identify the 3 most common locations at which pressure ulcers develop
• Describe the role of subcutaneous tissue and muscle in preventing pressure ulcers
• Describe the role of the causative factors for pressure ulcer formation

• Explain 3 justifications for a pressure ulcer prevention program
• Distinguish between an avoidable and an unavoidable pressure ulcer
• List components of a best practice bundle of a pressure ulcer prevention program
• Distinguish between a pressure ulcer risk assessment and a skin assessment
• Identify the risk factor subscales in the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk
• Distinguish between turning and repositioning
• Describe 5 repositioning techniques

• List 3 limitations to the reliance of capillary closing values for support surface evaluation
• List 4 factors to consider when interpreting the significance of interface tissue pressure readings
• Define pressure redistribution, immersion and envelopment
• Explain the difference between a reactive and an active support surface
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of support surface categories and features
• List factors to consider for appropriate selection of a support surface

• Describe 3 types of neuropathy that may occur in the patient with diabetes
• Identify critical factors to be included in the history and physical exam of the patient with lower-extremity neuropathic disease
• Describe the correlation of protective sensation with risk for diabetic foot ulcer
• Distinguish among the musculoskeletal foot deformities that lead to focal areas of high pressure in the patient with peripheral neuropathy
• Identify key concepts in effective and appropriate offloading

• Describe the role of debridement in the wound healing process
• List contraindications to debridement
• Distinguish between selective and nonselective debridement
• Compare and contract 4 methods of debridement: autolysis, chemical, mechanical and sharp
• List debridement options for the infected wound
• Describe 5 factors to consider when selecting a debridement approach
• For each method of debridement, list 2 advantages, disadvantages and relevant special considerations

• Identify 3 principles of wound management
• Describe the characteristics of a physiologic wound environment
• Identify at least 5 objectives in creating a physiologic wound environment
• Define the terms occlusive, semiocclusive, moisture retentive, primary dressing and secondary dressing
• List 2 indications and 1 contraindication for each dressing category
• Describe the factors to consider when selecting a wound dressing

• Become familiar with electrical stimulation for the use of wound healing
• Define terminology associated with electrical stimulation for wound healing
• Explain the physiologic effects of electrical stimulation
• List at least 2 indications for electrical stimulation
• List at least 2 contraindications for electrical stimulation

• Become familiar with ultraviolet light and ultrasound for the use of wound healing
• List at least 1 indication each for ultraviolet-C, high frequency ultrasound and low frequency ultrasound use
• List at least 2 contraindications for each modality
• Explain the mechanisms of action for each modality

• Identify the 3 phases of burn care and discuss the goal of each phase
• Discuss the causes of burns including thermal, chemical and electrical injuries
• Identify how the 3 zones of tissue damage relate to the depth of the burn wound
• Describe 3 methods commonly used to calculate the total body surface area of a burn
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of at least 4 topical burn care products and dressings
• Identify 3 principles of managing burn wounds in an outpatient setting

• Discuss current issues related to surgical wound infection and recommendations made by national collaboratives or evidenced-based guidelines to address these problems and improve outcomes
• Compare intrinsic and extrinsic patient characteristics associated with surgical wound healing complications or infection
• Identify wound assessment characteristics comparing the ASEPSIS method of evaluating wounds with Center for Disease Control and Prevention-defined characteristics for surgical site infection
• Identify evidence-based measures for surgical wounds including dressing, topical treatment, and care of sutures, staples and tissue adhesives
• Discuss 3 aspects of care or evaluation for patients with surgical wounds and how they can help to promote healing and prevent complications of healing

• Briefly outline the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga 
• Enumerate classification of asanas 
• List 5 benefits of asanas or yogic postures 
• Understand the application of asanas with therapy 
• List 5 Asanas for low back pain 
• List 3 Asanas for hip stretches 
• Name 5 poses/ asanas for upper extremity strengthening 
• Recite contraindications for all poses

Hour # 1

• Describe what is Pranayama
• List 5 benefits of Pranayama or Yogic Breathing

Hour #2

• Understand the application of Pranayama with Rehab
• List 3 simple Breathing exercises for warm up

Hour #3

• List 9 Yogendra Pranayama
• Summarize importance of Breathing correct
• Be familiar with contraindication for all Pranayama

• List 5 benefit of Yoga Asana
• Understand the application of Yogic Asanas or Postures with Rehab
• State 5 Asanas to improve shoulder flexibility
• Propose poses for progressing with scapular stabilization
• Be able to differentiate between use of static and dynamic poses
• Recognize ways to modify poses when painful
• Create HEP with Yogic Postures
• Be familiar with correct alignment during poses
• Summarize ways to prevent injuries with yoga asanas

• Justify the use of  Yoga poses with rehabilitation 
• Name 3 poses for each stage of rehabilitation 
• List 5 poses helpful for balance 
• Describe how to implement yoga with patients and establish a POC 
• Perform a biomechanical analysis with poses 
• Recognize and list Do’s and Don'ts with  poses 
• Describe 5 ways to avoid injuries with poses

• Understand application of core stability for low back pain 
• Recall physiology associated with low back pain 
• What is eoga and enumerate various benefits 
• Enlist asanas for acute low back pain 
• List 5 important asanas for increasing flexibility 
• Select appropriate asanas for core strengthening 
• Propose modification in yoga asanas 
• Deduce information from latest evidence-based studies on yoga for low back pain 
• Summarize importance of yoga for low back pain