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Pediatric Specialist Certification (PCS) Exam Prep: Exercising Critical Reasoning Skills

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In preparation for the PCS exam, participants will have opportunities to expand their knowledge-based and clinical reasoning skills as case scenarios unfold through multiple practice settings and patient populations --- with a birth to adulthood approach. Team-based learning is an instructional strategy that uses a set of structured activities to create active, collaborative learning environments. The PCS Written Exam is designed to test synthesis and analysis levels of cognitive skills. Multiple choice questions utilized in this session are designed to be comparable with the format of the PCS. Learners will have the opportunity to network, acquire resources for PCS preparation, and develop an action plan for further study. Course reading materials, designed to support individuals' ability to participate in clinical decision-making, will be provided on the course website through the APTA Learning Center and will be available for reference during the session.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Upon completion of this course, the learner will apply clinical reasoning skills of an advanced pediatric clinical specialist across multiple competencies.
  2. Upon completion of this course, the learner will analyze strategies for implementing best practice in pediatric physical therapy across multiple competency and practice areas.
  3. Upon completion of this course, the learner will formulate an action plan based on critical self-reflection for the advancement of professional development.

  • PCS Prep Module 1 Thriving to Succeed
    Contains 6 Component(s), Includes Credits
    Component Credit Type State/Medical Type Available Credits Earned Credits
    CEU Certificate Medical CEU 0.00 0.00

    (PCS-Module-1) Students will review content, complete required readings, attend Zoom session, and answer assessment questions.

    Students will review content, complete required readings, attend Zoom session, and answer assessment questions.  Three videos are provided to help get you started: 

    • Video 1: Meet Your Faculty
    • Video 2: Course Overview
    • Video 3: Birth of Test Question.

    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 e-mail learningcenter@apta.org.