2. “Can I get credentialed in just
thermal and not electrical modalities?”
Not at this time. The educational program that we offer is intended
to provide a comprehensive review of the bio-physiologic and therapeutic
benefits of physical agent modalities. The course also addresses
the safe and efficacious application of physical agent modalities
in the clinical setting. Individuals who complete this course
will be credentialed in both thermal and electrical modalities.
3. “How soon can I finish the course
and receive the certification of completion?” “Do
I have to wait to do the supervised clinical treatments until after
the workshop?”
PAMPCA will issue the certificate of completion once all the paperwork
is completed and reviewed. Depending on your state requirements,
you can complete the clinical applications paperwork at any time.
This will require a supervising therapist to complete and sign the
necessary paperwork with the authenticating information [their license
number]. This person will attest to the fact that they have
observed your application of the required 10 thermal and 10 electrical
modalities and have found you to be competent in the clinical application
of the physical agents. Only when we have verified that
the supervising therapist’s license is current and that
they have authorization to use PAMs, will we mail the Certificate
of Completion.
It is very important that the required information is correct (name,
credentials, and license number). Incomplete or incorrect information
will delay receipt of your certificate.
4. “When is the due date to sign
up for the workshop?” “How far in advance of the
workshop should I allow to complete the internet education portion
of the course?”
The time to sign up for the course is now! Remember that participants
need to allow for 20 hours of on-line learning. This will allow
time to complete each lesson, including readings in the textbook
and on-line, and to take each on-line quiz.
5. “What is the process for completing the course?” “How
much time is required for each part of the course?”
The second phase of training is a two-day workshop that is offered
regionally (16 contact hours). This workshop is primarily experiential
and provides a hands-on training segment. Participants work in small groups
to complete simulated clinical case studies on the appropriate PAM application
and documentation. This workshop culminates in a comprehensive examination
on the use of PAMs. The typical workshop begins on Saturday at 8 a.m. and
continues until 5:30 p.m. (with an hour for lunch). The topics covered
the first day include: differential diagnoses, pain management, thermal modalities,
Cryotherapy, ultrasound, and introduction to electrotherapy (transcutaneous electrical
stimulation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and function electrical stimulation).
Sunday’s session begins at 8 a.m. and finishes at 5 p.m. Topics for
this day are clinical pharmacology, Iontophoresis, and completion of several
case studies that have direct application to the modalities presented. A
comprehensive examination will be given on Sunday afternoon beginning at 3:00
p.m. There will be a short review session held prior to administering the
examination.
The third phase involves clinically administering physical agent
modalities under the supervision of a qualified therapist approved by your state
to use physical agent modalities. This can be an occupational therapist
who has been approved by the state to use PAMs. The supervising clinician
can also be a physical therapist, or in some states a Certified Hand Therapist. State
regulations may vary. Course participants are encouraged to review their
respective state guidelines to identify appropriate personnel for the supervisory
portion of the course. Please remember, though, that a COTA can not supervise
an OTR. Participants will need to complete 10 Thermal applications (5 hours
application time) and 10 Electrical applications (5 hours application time). The
supervising therapist will be asked to attest to the participant’s efficacious
and safe application of thermal and electrical modalities. They also will
assess the appropriateness of the documentation following each modality application. The
necessary forms are provided to participants through our Internet instruction
site.
6. “I am interested in receiving
a credential in PAMs from PAMPCA but you do not have a workshop that
is near where I live. Do you plan to offer workshops in other
regions of the country?”
7. “I am concerned about the comprehensive
examination. If I fail this portion of the program, what options
will I have?”
The comprehensive examination is designed to assess the participant’s
knowledge of the safe and efficacious use of physical agent modalities. The
test reflects issues such as the physiologic response, therapeutic
benefit, precautions, and contraindications, for each
of the modalities. The test is comprised of multiple choice
questions. If a participant should not receive a passing grade,
they will be given an assessment of where they are weak and given
the opportunity to study these areas.
They will be allowed to retake the examination at a future time convenient
to the participant and PAMPCA staff.
