Continuing Education Courses for Physical Therapists

Instructor: Dr. Christopher Voltmer PT, DPT, PhD, MSCS, CFPS
16 contact hours / $400
Location: On campus (Central Islip, Long Island)

This course is designed to provide the student with guidance and direction in comprehending the scope of practice for the doctoral level physical therapist. Students will review the basic scientific principles related to histology, genetics, and the immune response. Special topics will include the physical therapist role in the treatment of pain and the appropriate evaluation of the body systems treated. Students will learn the importance of interprofessional development, consultation services, supervision and delegation of activities, and discharge planning. The course will emphasize evidence-based rationale for selecting appropriate objective tests and for potential interventions. Various types of symptom clusters will be presented, and participants will be able to develop a highly effective treatment plan for specific conditions.

Instructor: Dr. Christopher Voltmer PT, DPT, PhD, MSCS, CFPS
32 contact hours / $400
Location: On campus (Central Islip, Long Island)

As baby-boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, turn 65, the percentage of the U.S. population considered “older” continues to increase significantly. Older adults were 4% of the U.S. population in 1900, were greater than 14% in 2019, and are projected to be greater than 20% in 2026. The physical therapist can directly impact major public health concerns that often occur with ageing leading to improved health outcomes and reducing overall healthcare costs. This course will present age-related changes and diseases conditions affecting both the neuromuscular and metabolic systems. The student will participate in interactive learning activities that will guide the development of proficiency in geriatric physical therapy assessment and intervention. Through lecture, laboratory, role playing, and group problem solving the student will learn to use critical thinking to analyze the problem presented, synthesize the solution, and communicate this sequence with other health professionals and patients or clients. Problems introduced are representative of those that clinicians encounter in all practice settings.

Primary Instructor: Dr. Melinda Stoski PT, DPT, MSPT, OCS, CPI, CCI
Location: On campus (Central Islip, Long Island)

This course will Introduce the concept of evidence-based practice and explore this concept as it relates to clinical practice. Strategies for development of this type of practice are examined, including introduction and maintenance of an evidence-based practice in various settings. Students critically analyze available scientific evidence, utilize the principles of evidence-based practice to evaluate a patient case, integrate research evidence and clinical expertise into patient care, demonstrate skill in the use of technology to locate research evidence, and efficiently initiate and carry out a web-based search.

Instructor: Dr. Farica Bialstock PT, DPT, MS
16 contact hours / $400 Plus APTA Registration Fee
Location: On campus (Central Islip, Long Island)

This course was designed by the APTA for physical therapists to understand and employ educational theories in their clinical practice. Theories of teaching, learning and development provide the foundation for constructing effective educational experiences in the clinic. The Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP) provides clinicians with the skills and information necessary to provide a structured learning environment and enhanced educational experience for students. Course content reflects an interdisciplinary approach to experiential learning methods, with an emphasis on didactic content related to clinical teaching, supervision, and evaluation. Participants are expected to understand and integrate the behaviors and traits of highly effective educators, role models, and mentors into their performance as a clinical instructor.

Instructor: Professor Michael Langino MPT, MBA
16 contact hours / $400
Location: On campus (Central Islip, Long Island)

This course is aimed at providing the participant with a theoretical basis of successful management principles as well as practical implementation strategies for these principles as they apply to the field of Physical Therapy. The course will include emphasis on the following areas:

• Basic management principles: Planning, Leading, Organizing & Controlling
• Basic Budgeting
• Business plan development
• Change Management
• Risk Management
• Application of management principles for return to work and community reintegration

Instructor: Dr. Boris Gilzon PT, DPT, OCS, CHT
16 contact hours / $400
Location: On campus (Central Islip, Long Island)

An elective course aimed at refining the student’s ability to critically examine and evaluate patients/clients with hand injury and/or dysfunction. The student will learn how specific hand anatomy affects pathological conditions of the hand, and how to choose the most appropriate evidence-based intervention. The student will compare examination and treatment techniques related to the hand, wrist, and forearm. The course is aimed at providing students with basic understanding of how to incorporate appropriate hand orthotics into their treatment protocol.

Instructor:Christine Hahl RD, CDN
16 contact hours / $400
Location: On campus (Central Islip, Long Island)

This course is designed for students in physical therapy who may require elective credits toward their degree. The role of nutrition and the decisions we make about the food we eat has a critical impact on our quality of life and risk of chronic disease. Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, your diet can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases and promote your overall health. Students will develop a basic understanding of nutrition with emphasis on human biological needs through the stages of life and the role nutrition plays in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This course will:

• Introduce students to the basic understanding of nutrition.
• Help students to identify dietary sources, intake levels, physiological role and requirements of major nutrients
• The role of nutrition in growth and health through the life cycle
• The role of diet in the development of chronic disease, cancers, diabetes, etc.

Instructor: Dr. Melinda Stoski PT, DPT, MSPT, OCS, CPI, CCI
16 contact hours / $400
Location: On campus (Hybrid: 1st day via Zoom / 2nd day at Central Islip, Long Island)

This course coordinates the sciences of histology, anatomy, and kinesiology with assessment and treatment of soft tissue dysfunction in common orthopedic and movement disorders. The course will introduce the student to appropriate intervention techniques for soft tissue dysfunction based on an anatomical clinical screening and complete assessment of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. The focus will be directed to the relevant tissue and regional anatomy, central and peripheral neural integrity, reflexes, and differential diagnosis. The application of regional interdependence and references to EBP (Evidence based practice) will be integrated by the instructor in helping students with the decision-making process. This course emphasizes to the novice and expert clinician the importance of using informed clinical decision-making in tissue causation and treatment options for common functional imbalances. Considerations for pain presentation, pediatrics and emergency response in an orthopedic setting will be addressed in this course.

Instructor: Dr. Maria Meigel DPT, OCS, CFMT
16 contact hours / $400
Location: On campus (Central Islip, Long Island)

This introductory cervical, thoracic spine and costal cage course is designed to build basic didactic knowledge and clinical skills relating to the evaluation and management of cervical, thoracic, and costal cage pain. An overview of the anatomy, arthrokinematics and pathomechanics of the articular, neural, and myofascial structures is included. With emphasis on current evidence and APTA Clinical Practice Guidelines, the student will be introduced to common clinical subjective and objective presentations related to specific dysfunctions of the cervical/thoracic spine and costal cage as per these guidelines. Building on this understanding, the course provides ample lab time to equip the student with the basic psychomotor skills necessary to successfully evaluate, classify and treat/manage pain and dysfunction of the cervical and thoracic spine and costal cage. After this course, students will be able to classify a patient in a general treatment category and manage patients seen in the clinic who present with impairment and functional limitations in this area.

Instructor: Dr. Raymond Mattfeld PT, DPT, OCS, ATC
16 contact hours / $400
Location: On campus (Central Islip, Long Island)

This course will address the evolution of sports physical therapy. A physical therapist role on the sports medicine team. This course will emphasize examination, evaluation and intervention for dysfunction that occur in sports physical therapy. Emphasis will be placed on an understanding of the pathophysiological basis for musculoskeletal dysfunction and the integration of the therapeutic process for the restoration of function of the patient with dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. Recent trends in sport rehabilitation will be explored. This class presents the physical therapy student with the fundamental principles and concepts as they relate to sports musculoskeletal clinical practice and will progress to exposure to, and integration of, accepted intervention and advanced therapeutic techniques. Through lecture and problem-solving sessions we will investigate all sports musculoskeletal practice.

Instructor: Dr. Christopher Voltmer
1.6 CEU / $200
Location: Online Asynchronous/ 6 weeks

This course aims to provide the participant with a theoretical basis of successful management principles and practical implementation strategies for these principles as they apply to the field of physical therapy. The course will cover Basic management principles such as planning, leading, organizing & change management, basic budgeting & business plan development, risk management and legal considerations in practice, regulatory and public policy, quality management/improvement, healthcare reimbursement trends, marketing theory, and American Physical Therapy Association guidelines.

Instructor: Dr. Nathaniel Mailloux
16 contact hours / $400
Location: Online Asynchronous/ 6 weeks

This asynchronous online course coordinates the sciences of histology, anatomy, and kinesiology with assessment and treatment of soft tissue dysfunction in common orthopedic and movement disorders. The course will introduce the student to appropriate intervention techniques for soft tissue dysfunction based on an anatomical clinical screening and complete assessment of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. The focus will be directed to the relevant tissue and regional anatomy, central and peripheral neural integrity, reflexes, and differential diagnosis. The application of regional interdependence and references to EBP (Evidence based practice) will be integrated by the instructor in helping students with the decision-making process. This course emphasizes to the novice and expert clinician the importance of using informed clinical decision making in tissue causation and treatment options for common functional imbalances. Considerations for pain presentation, pediatrics, and emergency response in an orthopedic setting will be addressed in this course.

Instructor: Dr. Christopher Voltmer
16 contact hours / $400
Location: Online Asynchronous / 6 weeks

This on-line course is designed to provide the student with guidance and direction in comprehending the scope of practice for the doctoral level physical therapist. Students will review the basic scientific principles related to histology, genetics, and the immune response. Special topics will include the physical therapist’s role in the treatment of pain and the appropriate evaluation of the body systems treated. Students will learn the importance of interprofessional development, consultation services, supervision and delegation of activities, and discharge planning. The course will emphasize evidence-based rationale for selecting appropriate objective tests and for potential interventions. Various types of symptom clusters will be presented, and participants will be able to develop a highly effective treatment plan for specific conditions.

Instructor: Dr. Nathaniel Mailloux
16 contact hours / $400
Location: Online Asynchronous / 6 weeks

This course introduces students to the structure, function, and clinical relevance of the integumentary system. Students will explore normal and pathological skin conditions, mechanisms of wound healing, and interventions used in wound care management. Through analysis of current literature, case studies, and asynchronous discussions, students will develop a foundational understanding of wound assessment, management strategies, and the psychosocial factors that influence integumentary health.

Instructor: Dr. Olalekan Ogunsakin
16 contact hours / $400
Location: : Online Asynchronous/ 6 weeks

This course introduces students to the clinical sciences using a systems approach to understand diseases requiring direct physical therapy intervention, as well as to analyze pharmacological management. It is an integrated approach to clinical problem solving that draws upon histology, pathophysiology, medicine, and pharmacology with special attention to scenarios commonly encountered in physical therapy practice. Emphasis is placed on etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and pharmacological management of common medical disorders across hospital, clinic, and community settings. For the Medical Science – Systems Interactions component, this integrative module synthesizes pathophysiology and pharmacology across cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, neurologic, renal/genitourinary, endocrine, hematologic/immune, and infectious-disease domains to support whole-person, systems-aware clinical reasoning in physical therapy practice. It connects key concepts and emphasizes screening, red flags, interprofessional communication, and safe modification of examination and intervention based on multi-system interactions.

Instructor: Dr. Rolando Lazaro
16 contact hours / $400
Location: Online Asynchronous/ 6 weeks

Diagnostic imaging of the musculoskeletal system is a course designed to introduce physical therapists to the basic science of imaging modalities including plain film radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Diagnostic imaging brings an entire realm of information that the therapist could integrate in the patient’s evaluation and plan of care that can significantly enhance the understanding of the patient’s condition as well as improve monitoring and appropriate intervention selection.