Join us for this LIVE VIRTUAL session on Saturday, October 17, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (ET).

To enhance this dynamic learning experience, we’ve set up a discussion board for all participants. Since this session includes live interaction, you can use the board to ask questions, exchange ideas, and let the speaker(s) know which topics matter most to you. Feel free to post comments or questions whenever they arise.

Key features:

• Format: Live Virtual, Synchronous
• Cost:
• $599 PT/PTA members
• $799 Non-members
• Earn CEU: 1.0 (10 contact hours)

Course Description: 

Effective communication, role clarity, and appropriate utilization within the PT–PTA relationship are essential to patient safety, continuity of care, and team effectiveness. This master class examines PTA education, scope of practice, communication, delegation, and professional accountability, while addressing misconceptions that contribute to underutilization in clinical practice. Participants will explore barriers including role ambiguity, supervision gaps, documentation breakdowns, handoff failures, situational awareness, and team culture, along with their impact on practice and education. Drawing on evidence-informed strategies, the session highlights practical approaches to strengthen delegation, align care delivery with reimbursement considerations, and develop intra-professional competence through case-based learning, structured documentation practice, and team-based communication models. Tools such as SBAR, closed-loop communication, micro-huddles, escalation scripts, and structured handoffs will equip clinicians and educators to reduce risk, enhance efficiency, expand patient access, and improve outcomes.  

Course Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Analyze key PT–PTA communication barriers and their impact on safety, care continuity, and team performance
2. Differentiate situations requiring PT escalation or clarification to ensure safe delegation and effective supervision
3. Integrate evidence‑based communication strategies into clinical practice and curricula to strengthen teamwork and handoffs
4. Describe PTA entry‑level education, scope of practice, and core competencies to clarify role preparation
5. Apply strategies to optimize PTA utilization through appropriate delegation, reimbursement alignment, and effective skill use

Course Instructions

1. Click on the Contents tab to watch the course recording.
2. Click the Take Quiz button to complete the assessment. Learners will have 3 attempts to pass and must answer at least 70% of questions correctly.
3. Click Fill Out Survey under the Evaluation listing to provide valuable course feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
4. Click the View/Print Your Certificate button under the Certificate listing. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the APTA Learning Center and clicking the CEU Certificate/Transcript link on the left-hand side of the page. 

Need Assistance?

For assistance logging in, accessing activities, claiming credit, or for other questions or concerns please email [email protected].