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Course Outline

PTY101 Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice B

Course Coordinator:Pierre Roscher (proscher@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Physiotherapy

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course you will extend your skills in assessing movement and function, learn how to assess muscle strength and length, and begin to interpret and clinically reason through findings and suggest implications for physiotherapy treatment.  You will be introduced to principles of exercise delivery to reduce symptoms, increase range of movement, increase muscle strength, and function. You will also be orientated to different roles and responsibilities of allied health assistants and learn how to assist and support allied health professionals in their care of clients in clinical practice.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Workshops orientate the full student cohort to the course, facilitate complex clinical reasoning development, deliver content related to allied health assistance with external guests/presenters and provide briefing and support with regards to assessment 2hrs Week 1 6 times
Laboratory 1 – Lab classes will support students in applying learning to clinical contexts and practical skill development. These will take place within the physiotherapy practice laboratories on a bi weekly basis. 4hrs Week 1 11 times
Fieldwork – The field trip includes a two day anatomy field trip to undertake intensive anatomy training in a wet anatomy laboratory with cadavers at Griffith University. Details are provided on CANVAS. 16hrs Week 4 Once Only

Course Topics

Module 1 - Clinical Anatomy & Physiotherapy Practice

  • Revision and extension of musculoskeletal anatomy and applications to physiotherapy assessment and treatment 
  • Assessment of muscle length, strength and control, interpretation and grading of findings, documentation and consideration of implications
  • Integrating muscle assessments with understanding of client signs/symptoms, active and passive range of movement and functional applications
  • Introductory exercise prescription and progression principles to enhance range of movement, flexibility, strength and control 
  • Strategies for clear and effective exercise instruction, supervision, feedback, monitoring response and reporting concerns 
  • Demonstrating professionalism, effective communication, interpersonal skills and collaboration with clients and other health professionals
  • Critically reflecting on personal strengths and limitations and undertaking relevant learning and activities to improve capabilities

Module 2 - Allied Health Assistance

  • Orientation to allied health assistant roles and responsibilities in different workplace settings and with different disciplines
  • Working within scope of practice and limitations as an allied health assistant, physiotherapy student and physiotherapist
  • Monitoring health status of the client, conducting screening tests, reporting client progress and seeking help when indicated
  • Educating others in the use of assistive technology, and managing, maintaining and fitting assistive technology 
  • Use of augmentative and assistive devices for communication, documentation of client services and practice administration
  • Safe positioning, posture, transfers and mobilisation of clients in collaboration with other health professionals
  • Teaching and assisting clients with their transfers and mobility using manual handling equipment and gait aids as prescribed
  • Implementing prescribed therapy, exercise, and life skills training as an allied health assistant in a safe and effective manner

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Physiotherapy Board of Australia
1 Demonstrate a safe, effective, and sensitive approach to assessing symptoms, range of movement, muscle length, muscle strength, and function Empowered 
1.1, 1.3, 4.4
2 Apply clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and psychology to identify factors contributing to movement impairments and implications for treatment Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Engaged 
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
3 Deliver prescribed exercises in a safe and effective manner to reduce symptoms, improve range of movement, muscle length, muscle strength and function Creative and critical thinker
Empowered 
1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 4.4, 6.1
4 Safely implement screening tools, therapy and exercise programs prescribed by allied health professionals and monitor the health status and response of clients Empowered
Engaged 
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.2, 6.1, 7.2
5 Critically reflect on learning and client needs, recognise personal and professional limitations and seek help and assistance as required Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Engaged 
1.3, 1.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2
6 Communicate clearly, professionally, and ethically and complete clinical documentation and administrative duties in a timely and effective manner Empowered
Ethical 
2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Physiotherapy Board of Australia
1.1 Plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
1.2 Involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
1.3 Review the continuation of physiotherapy and facilitate the client’s optimal participation in their everyday life
1.4 Advocate for clients and their rights to health care
2.1 Comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.2 Make and act on informed and appropriate decisions about acceptable professional and ethical behaviours
3.1 Use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.2 Record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
4.1 Assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.2 Evaluate their learning needs, engage in relevant continuing professional development and recognise when to seek professional support, including peer review
4.4 Proactively apply principles of quality improvement and risk management to practice
4.5 Recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
5.1 Engage in an inclusive, collaborative, consultative, culturally responsive and client-centred model of practice
5.2 Engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice
6.1 Use education to empower themselves and others
7.1 Organise and prioritise their workload and resources to provide safe, effective and efficient physiotherapy autonomously and, where relevant, as a team member
7.2 Lead others effectively and efficiently within relevant professional, ethical and legal frameworks

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

PTY100 and enrolled in BH001

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback will be provided with online quizzes. Students will also have regular formative feedback within laboratory sessions regarding their progress.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Portfolio Individual 30% 
The portfolio consists of evidence of completion of:

1. Fortnightly online quizzes on Canvas related to course content to assist learning and preparation for placement (contributes 15% towards course grade)

2. Practical competency checks by examiner in relation to safe transfers and use of a) slide-sheets b) hoists, and c) wheelchairs  (contributes 10% towards course grade)

3. Annual reflection on physiotherapy practice thresholds and tracking achievement and development within Pebble Pad Workbook across year 1 (contributes 5% towards course grade)
 Refer to Format Online Submission
All 2 Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece Individual 35% 
50 minutes
 Week 7 Exam Venue
All 3 Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece Individual 35% 
50 minutes
 Exam Period Exam Venue
All - Assessment Task 1:Portfolio
Goal: 
This assessment is designed to support student timely engagement with learning, critical reflection and collation of evidence of emerging competency in relation to expected knowledge and skills for placement.  Students also reflect on and collate evidence in their physiotherapy practice thresholds workbook across Year 1 (forms part of programmatic assessment).
Product: Portfolio
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
1. Online quizzes will be automatically submitted on completion on Canvas. A time limit of 30 minutes will be applied to each quiz which is released every fortnight. 

2. Evidence of completion of competency checks with regards to slide-sheets, wheelchair and hoist transfers will need to be submitted to Canvas by the end of week 12. 

3. Students will need to share their Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds Workbook in PebblePad with their course coordinator via ATLAS by the end of the examination period. 

The marking schema and due dates/times for Portfolio items will be provided on CANVAS.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate a safe, effective, and sensitive approach to assessing pain, range of movement, muscle length, muscle strength and function
 1
2 
Apply clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and psychology to identify factors contributing to movement impairments and implications for treatment
 2
3 
Prescribe simple joint-specific exercises in a safe and effective manner to reduce pain, improve range of movement, muscle length and strength
 3
4 
Safely implement screening tools, therapy and exercise programs prescribed by allied health professionals and monitor the health status and response of clients
 4
5 
Critically reflect on learning and client needs, recognise personal and professional limitations and seek help and assistance as required.
 5
6 
Communicate clearly, professionally, and ethically and complete clinical documentation and administrative duties in a timely and effective manner
 6
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:OSCE 1 - Physiotherapy Practice
Goal: 
The purpose of this OSCE is to test student ability to safely and effectively: 
1. Assess muscle length, strength and control as directed by a physiotherapist
2. Teach, supervise and assist a client to perform a therapeutic exercise prescribed by a physiotherapist

Students will also need to 
3. Answer examiner questions relating to applied anatomy, interpretation of findings, potential reasons for any limitations/abnormalities, relevance of findings to client presentation/function, and implications for clinical practice
4. Document clinical assessments and exercise interventions undertaken using a SOAP format as per professional and legal requirements.
Product: Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)  - Station -Based Exam including reading, practical and documentation stations. Reading and documentation stations will not involve interaction with the examiner or simulated patient. Practical stations will involve demonstrating physical assessments and exercise instruction with simulated patient and answering examiner questions. 

Please see CANVAS for marking schema and schedule of assessment. Students must achieve 50% in this assessment item to pass the course and progress to clinical placement in PTY200 Core Physiotherapy Skills A.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrates professional behaviour (e.g. introductions), attire (i.e. clinical uniform), and respect in all interactions with the client and examiner
 6
2 
Ensures client position is task appropriate, the client is comfortable and if required the relevant joint/body area is exposed and patient is disrobed and draped appropriately
 1 4
3 
Asks client regarding any resting symptoms and pain, monitors response during and after movement or activity, and responds appropriately to ensure safety
 1 4
4 
Clearly instructs patient on required movement or activity without use of technical jargon, demonstrates movement or activity as appropriate
 1 4 6
5 
Physically assists or supports client with movement or activity as appropriate for purpose of task and to accommodate client abilities and limitations in a safe and effective manner
 1 4
6 
Assesses or instructs on the correct movement and activity, ensures the movement or activity is performed appropriately and provides reassurance, encouragement and feedback
 1 4 6
7 
Assesses performance of movement and activity in a safe, accurate and specific manner, using measurement equipment correctly when required (e.g. goniometer)
 1 4
8 
Answers examiners questions clearly and accurately in relation to client impairments and implications, and different allied health assistant scenarios
 2 5 6
9 
Documents assessment and activities undertaken in OSCE using a SOAP format with all required information and measurements, and appropriate abbreviations
 6
10 
Complies with infection control requirements, demonstrates safe manual handling, works within scope of practice and ability, and seeks help when required
 1 4 5 6
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies
All - Assessment Task 3:OSCE 2 - Allied Health Assistance
Goal: 
The purpose of this OSCE is to assess student ability to safely and effectively conduct the following delegated tasks as an allied health assistant: 
(1) administer a screening/outcome measure(s)
(2) deliver and supervise prescribed exercise(s), functional tasks or practice
(3) assist a client with transfers and mobility using a mobility aid
(4) complete SOAP documentation related to AHA tasks

Students will also need to answer examiner questions relating to applied anatomy, observations of function and gait, interpretation of findings/observations, potential reasons for any limitations/abnormalities, relevance of findings to client presentation/function, and implications for clinical practice
Product: Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Station-based objective structured clinical examination. Students will rotate around practical stations, during which they will complete delegated AHA tasks and answer examiner questions. They also will need to write SOAP documentation for the session. 
The assessment schedule in the examination period will be provided via CANVAS. Students must achieve 50% in practical OSCE assessments to pass the course and progress to clinical placement in PTY200 Core Physiotherapy Skills A.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrates professional behaviour (e.g. introductions), attire (i.e. clinical uniform), and respect in all interactions with the client and examiner
 6
2 
Ensures client position is task appropriate, the client is comfortable and if required the relevant joint/body area is exposed and patient is disrobed and draped appropriately
 1 3
3 
Asks client regarding any resting symptoms and pain, monitors response during and after movement or exercise, and responds appropriately to ensure safety
 1 3 6
4 
Clearly instructs patient on required movement or exercise without use of technical jargon, demonstrates movement or exercise as appropriate.
 1 3 6
5 
Physically assists or supports client with movement or exercise as appropriate for purpose of task and to accommodate client abilities and limitations in a safe and effective manner
 1 3
6 
Assesses or instructs on the correct movement or exercise, ensures the movement or exercise is performed appropriately and provides reassurance, encouragement and feedback
 1 3 6
7 
Assesses performance of movement and exercise in a safe, accurate and specific manner, using measurement equipment correctly when required (e.g. goniometer)
 1 3
8 
Answers examiners questions clearly and accurately in relation to client impairments and implications, and exercise prescription and monitoring.
 1 2 3 5
9 
Document assessment and exercise undertaken in OSCE using a SOAP format with all required information and measurements, and appropriate abbreviations
 6
10 
Complies with infection control requirements, demonstrates safe manual handling, works within scope of practice and ability, and seeks help when required
 1 3 5 6
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation

Assessment to competency mapping

Programme Delivery Mode Assessment Type Title Competency Teaching Methods
Physiotherapy practice thresholds in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
All delivery modes Portfolio Portfolio 1.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece OSCE 1 - Physiotherapy Practice 1.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
OSCE 2 - Allied Health Assistance 1.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
1.3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4.5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5.2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

Schedule

Period and Topic Activities 
Module 1 - Clinical Anatomy & Physiotherapy Practice (Weeks 1-7)
 
Anatomy Field Trip, Workshops, Online Learning and Laboratory Sessions

Musculoskeletal anatomy and nerve supply
Assessment of muscle length, strength and control
Exercise instruction, delivery, monitoring and feedback
Clinical reasoning regarding assessments and implications
 
Module 2 - Allied Health Assistance & Physiotherapy (Weeks 8-12)
 
Workshops, Online Learning and Laboratory Sessions

Screening Assessments & Vital Signs/Symptoms
Speech Pathology Assistance - Swallowing, Speech & Communication
Occupational Therapy Assistance - Functional Training, Equipment & Support
Physiotherapy Assistance - Manual Handling, Transfers, Gait & Rehabilitation

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Hazel Clarkson 2019 Musculoskeletal Assessment 4 LWW
Recommended Karen Sladyk,Sally E. Ryan 2015 Ryan's Occupational Therapy Assistant n/a Slack

Specific requirements

As per all PTY courses, students will need to be prepared to disrobe to suitable underwear, swimwear and/or singlet/shorts for practical class activities, and to practice bone and soft tissue palpation, and assessment of body movement with their peers (regardless of gender). Students will need to inform the tutor of any injuries, illnesses or concerns in participating in simulation as a patient (or therapist) within practical classes and explore work-around options. All students will also need to complete a physiotherapy lab induction and comply with infection control and manual handling procedures to reduce risk of illness or injury. Students will also need to wear their clinical uniform for clinical assessments and anatomy fieldwork visit in this course. Physiotherapy students also will need to have completed their vaccination requirements to meet "Fit for placement" requirements in order to participate in the intensive anatomy wet lab visits at Griffith University (timing and logistics to be confirmed via CANVAS). 

Students must achieve a minimum of 50% in each of the two objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) in order to pass this course and progress to clinical placement in PTY200 Core Physiotherapy Skills A. This is to ensure students can safely apply skills when assessing and treating clients under supervision on placement. Students will have one re-sit examination opportunity for OSCE 1 and OSCE 2. The re-sit opportunity will be offered if students fail their first attempt given the potentially stressful nature of an OSCE, and need for students to achieve 50% in these assessment items to progress to year 2 courses and future clinical placements. Students who re-sit and pass the OSCE will receive a maximum of 50% for the relevant assessment item. Students will receive feedback following their first attempt to support preparation and revision for their second attempt.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all studio and laboratory classes and a low level of health and safety risk exists. Some risk concerns may include equipment, instruments, and tools; as well as manual handling items within the laboratory. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Please note: Students will also have one re-sit examination opportunity for OSCE 1 and/or OSCE 2. The re-sit opportunity will be offered if students fail their first attempt given the potentially stressful nature of an OSCE, and need for students to achieve 50% in this assessment items to progress to year 2 courses and future clinical placements. Students who re-sit and pass the OSCE will receive a maximum of 50% for the relevant assessment item.

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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