Right Hand Therapy | Physical Agent Modalities

Physical Agent Modalities (PAMs) for Occupational Therapy Practitioners: Preparation for Certification

$475.00Select options

$325.00Select options

RHT PAMs Webinar brochure Dec 2023

Dates:

December 2 & 3, 2023
Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm EST
Sunday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm EST

Location:

100% Virtual
Live Webinar – live/synchronous learning via Zoom
Web Course – distance learning via RHT web platform

Course Cost:

$475 for Full Course (Web course & Live webinar)
$325 for Web Course Only

Instructors:

Willow Henry, PT, DPT, CWS, CLT

Lisa Owen, MS, OTR/L, CLT, CHT

Target Audience/Educational Level:

OTs, COTAs, but a great review for PTs, PTAs, and CHTs

Introductory course but mixed learner levels (novice to advanced) are welcome!

CEUs:

24 continuing education contact hours for the Full Course

12 hours for the Web Course Only

Web Course Approval

Right Hand Therapy is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 04065. This distance learning-independent activity is offered at 1.2 CEUs, introductory level, OT service delivery/foundational knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Please check your state requirements regarding acceptance of CEUs prior to registration. Some states do not accept all formats of delivery (i.e. web-based CEUs).

Live Workshop Approval

Right Hand Therapy is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 01347. This distance learning-interactive activity is offered at 1.2 CEUs, introductory level, OT service delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Disclosures:

Financial – Both speakers receive a speaking fee from Right Hand Therapy for presenting the course

Non-financial – No relevant non-financial relationship exists for either of the speakers

Physical agent modalities (PAMs) can be a valuable adjunct treatment to enhance outcomes of patients receiving therapy services. This course is geared toward OT practitioners and aims to educate the therapist in how to incorporate safe and effective application of PAMs into their current clinical practice. The prep for certification Full Course consists of a web-based component, and a 2-day live webinar for lab demonstration and practice opportunities. Access to modality equipment including TENS, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and iontophoresis is required. All participants are responsible for providing their own lab supplies including 2 x 2 & 2 x 4 e-stim electrodes, iontophoresis electrodes, IontoPatch (if able) and US gel. Please contact us with any questions or concerns; equipment rental is available on a limited basis. This course includes 15 hrs in electrical stimulation education, 7 hours in ultrasound education, and 2 hours education in superficial thermal agents.

Looking for just a refresher course?

Additional option includes completing the Web Course Only.

Download course brochure here: RHT PAMs Webinar brochure Dec 2023

Course Objectives:

Following the course, participants will be able to:

Name Physical Agent Modality (PAM) terminology.
Recognize biophysical principles of application of PAMs.
Identify the physiologic response of tissue to application of PAMs.
Select the appropriate clinical use and parameters for application of PAMs.
Name contraindications, precautions, and warnings for safe use of PAMs.
Identify and demonstrate how to modulate parameters to achieve the desired effect of PAMs that will support and prepare a patient for engagement in occupational activities.
Identify the safe use and maintenance of PAMs equipment and topical medications.
List patient education about PAMs risks, benefits, and application.
Identify and demonstrate appropriate PAMs and list the clinical rationale/indications to prepare patients for engagement in functional activity.
Learning outcomes will be assessed during live webinar via observation and demonstration of skills, as well as via a pre- and post-test in web course.

What to Expect

Participants registered for the Full Course will be able to digitally access course materials within 24-48 business hours including the PAMs textbook, handouts, and web course. All participants are responsible for providing their own lab supplies including 2 x 2 & 2 x 4 e-stim electrodes, iontophoresis electrodes, IontoPatch (if able) and US gel. Course materials are designed to maximize the learning process and assist with the web-based learning module. Participants must pass the post-test of this module with a score of 75% before attending the live webinar. Participants complete the Full Course following successful demonstration of skills throughout the live webinar. A certificate of completion will be issued to all participants completing this CEU requirement. Class size is limited to ensure ample opportunities for individual instruction and practice.

Additional Options Include:

Web Course Only Option: 12 CEU distance learning/web course that includes a digital textbook and handouts. Course provides 3 hours of education on ultrasound, 7 hours of education on electrical stimulation (IFC, TENS, NMES, FES, HVPC/HVGS, Iontophoresis, Combination Therapy), and 2 hours on superficial hot/cold modalities. Please check your state guidelines for CEU approval. Some states do not accept web only based CEUs.

How to Prepare for the Live Webinar

Participants will need a computer or device with reliable internet access and web camera/microphone. Access to modality equipment including TENS, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and iontophoresis is required. Please identify a comfortable and quiet space with good lighting. If possible (but optional), identify a partner in your home that you can work on throughout the course to practice appropriate client positioning. Participants (and their partner, if applicable) should dress comfortably and in layers to permit access to pertinent anatomy (tank top, etc).

Please have the following materials available:

your binder, textbook and lab packet
a towel, facecloth, paper towels and 1-2 pillows

ADA and Special Requests:

Please contact Right Hand prior to purchase to discuss any particular needs and/or requests.

Cancellation Policy

Participants must notify Right Hand Therapy regarding all requests for cancellation via phone or email. No cancellations or refunds provided for Web Course Only registrations. Please check your state acceptance of any CEUs prior to registration. Partial refunds will be provided for cancellation of Full Course more than 21 days prior to the live course (less $350 for the web course component if Full Course). No refunds provided for cancellations within 21 days of a live webinar. Right Hand Therapy reserves the right to reschedule a live webinar with fewer than 6 participants. In this event, a rescheduled workshop will be offered within 3-4 months of the originally scheduled date.

Cold Modalities

Physical Principles of Tissue Cooling
Types of Cold Modalities
Contraindications and Precautions
Clinical Indications/Applications/Decision Making

Heat Modalities

Physical Principles of Tissue Heating
Types of Heat Modalities
Contraindications and Precautions
Clinical Indications/Applications/Decision Making

Ultrasound

Physical Principles of Ultrasound
Thermal Effects
Subthermal Effects
Physiologic Response to Sound Waves
Contraindications and Precautions
Treatment Parameters
Application
Evidence
Alternative US Applications (phono, water)

Electrical Stimulation

Physical Principles of Electricity
Types of Waveforms and Currents
Physiologic Response to Electrical Current
Contraindications and Precautions
Types of Electrical Stimulation (NMES, HV, TENS, IFC)
Treatment Parameters
Application
Evidence
Iontophoresis

Clinical Indications/Decision Making for Use of PAMs

Pain
Loss of Motion
Strengthening
Tissue Healing (inflammation, wounds)
Edema

Total time spent taking online course: 12 hrs
Total portion of online course covering Ultrasound Modalities: 3 hrs
Total portion of online course covering Electrical Stimulation Modalities: 7 hrs
Total portion of online course covering Hot/Cold Modalities: 2 hrs

Day 1 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

8:00 to 9:00 EStim Indications, Parameters, Application
9:00 to 11:00 EStim Lab

Getting to know the Estim unit
Application, set up, and practice
HVPC/HVGS, IFC, NMES, FES

11:00 to 11:30 Iontophoresis Indications, Parameters, Application
11:30 to 12:00 Iontophoresis Lab

Getting to know the Ionto unit
Application, set up, and practice

12:00 to 1:00 Lunch on your own
1:00 to 1:30 TENS Indications, Parameters, Application
1:30 to 2:45 TENS Lab

Getting to know the TENS unit
Application, set up, and practice

2:45 to 3:45 Clinical Decision Making/Case Studies (Estim, Ionto, TENS)
3:45 to 4:45 Review of PAMs Documentation
4:45 to 5:00 Questions/Wrap up

Day 2 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

8:00 to 9:00 Ultrasound Indications, Parameters, Application
9:00 to 11:00 Ultrasound Lab

Getting to know the Ultrasound unit
Application, set up, and practice
Pulsed
Continuous
Water immersion technique
Phonophoresis
US/e-stim combination therapy

11:00 to 11:45 Clinical Decision Making/Case Studies (Ultrasound)
11:45 to 12:00 Questions/Wrap Up

Total time attending live workshop: 12 hrs
Total portion of workshop covering Ultrasound Modalities: 4 hrs
Total portion of workshop covering Electrical Stimulation Modalities: 8 hrs

1. What is the requirement for New Hampshire (NH) state PAMs Certification?

The NH OT Governing Board recently repealed the NH PAMs Certification requirement. However, the rules still indicate that you need to be educated on performance of modalities. All therapists must be trained in the use of PAMs prior to use with clients.

2. I am very interested in becoming PAMs certified however it is unclear to me if any supervision hours will be required by another clinician after the course. Or will I be able to start treating?

Our Full Course provides participants with 24 hours of education related to PAMs use (15 hours e-stim, 7 hours ultrasound, and 2 hours hot/cold modalities). It does not provide supervision due to the individual nature of one achieving proficiency.

3. Is there a PAMs Certification requirement in Massachusetts?

Currently there is no PAMs Certification requirement in Massachusetts (of which we are aware). MA does require that any therapeutic procedures provided must be consistent with the individual’s level of competence.

4. I do not need a PAMs certification for my practice. But is there a benefit to a certification?

It is important to emphasize that this course does not provide a “Certification”. This course provides “Preparation for Certification”. Even if you have no plans to work in a state with a PAMs certification requirement, the benefit of this course is to obtain a higher level of proficiency and confidence incorporating the safe and effective use of PAMs into your practice. I am very appreciative of my PAMs education because I did not receive a lot of training in PAMs in OT school. In order to achieve proficiency in PAMs use I had to engage in outside education and CEU courses, like this one.

5. Are parameters for certain diagnoses covered?

The course options we offer are designed to meet a variety of needs. Parameters for certain diagnoses and stages of tissue healing are covered, as well as case studies consisting of diagnoses such as tendon repairs, epicondylitis, CVA, and fractures, among others. The Full Course option gives clinicians a well-rounded education in PAMs (24 hrs), as well as hands on experience practicing using PAMs. The Web Course Only option is available for therapists who are seeking NH PAMs certification, but cannot attend the Full Course for any reason. This option provides the therapist with 3 hours toward ultrasound education and 7 hours toward e-stim education (the remaining 2 hours covers the use of hot/cold modalities).

6. Can I take this course if I am licensed in MA but not NH?

Yes. This course is open to any practitioner (OT, COTA, PT, PTA etc) who is licensed in any state. Please check your state specific requirements regarding acceptance or approval of CEUs as not all state boards accept all formats of delivery (i.e. some states do not accept online courses).

7. Is this certification recognized in Massachusetts?

No. This is not a certification course. This course was designed to provide OT practitioners with the necessary education to safely and effectively use PAMs to enhance a patients functioning (within their scope of practice).

8. Can I take this course if I am a COTA?

Yes! We have had several COTAs take this course.

Disclaimer: Right Hand Therapy, LLC is not responsible for checking CEU approval for individual states. Participants are responsible for checking their state boards regarding acceptance or approval of any CEUs.